Page 16 of Song For His Siren
"My dear, there is more to this world than meets the eye. I think if ye search yer heart, ye know what I say is true. There is a way I know to awaken the magic. It is a process ye can do on your own, but I can give ye a gentle push to speed up the process,” she said with the twinkle in her eye Calli had come to expect.
"What are you talking about?"
"Do ye trust me?" Bridget asked.
She should say no. Her logical brain was screaming this was all nonsense, but there was part of her that was curious, and all of her trusted Bridget.
"What the hell," Calli said, getting up to stand by Bridget.
"Take my hand," Bridget said, reaching out to her.
Calli looked at her hand, and then her eyes found Dru's. She wasn't sure why she was seeking reassurance from him, but she was nonetheless. His eyes seemed fixed on them with anunreadable emotion. Tentatively, she reached out and took her hand.
As soon as she did, it felt like the world was spinning around them. She felt rain on her face and heard ancient voices singing. She could pick out her grandmother's voice, and it was beautiful. It was like the feeling she had when Dru took her hand, but tenfold. It was like nothing she had ever experienced in her life. She pulled her hand away and looked back and forth between Bridget and Dru. Bridget had a grin spread wide across her face, but Dru's face was tight with concern.
"Calli, are you well?" he asked.
She nodded. "I think so."
"I was right, lass. There is magic in ye, and it is not the magic of this realm."
"What are you talking about?"
"I think Dru could fill ye in on that better than I could."
Her eyes slowly moved back to Dru. "What is she talking about?"
"The monster realm," he said, but he would not meet her eyes.
"What?" Her mind was reeling. Magic was real. There was a place called the monster realm. Even while her mind reeled, there was something in her that knew this, the part of her that felt like home when they touched, that part of her that never felt like she truly belonged. Somehow, it all made sense, as strange as that was.
"I'm going to go inside and clean up. Why don't you two talk?"
On her way in, she stopped and patted Dru on the arm. "Bring her inside when she's ready."
Dru gave her a solemn nod, and she disappeared into her tent.
"What's going on?" Calli asked.
"Calli." Her name sounded like a plea on his lips. "I beg of you to have an open mind."
She took his hand, needing to feel him.
"Do you want to go on a walk? I know a place down by the lake where we can talk,” she said.
"I would like that," he said, standing.
She took a moment to take him in in a way she hadn't before. He was tall, blond, tatted up, and so incredibly handsome. She had thought he just looked really good in his fair garb, but she was starting to think there was more to it than that.
"Shall we?" she said, holding out her hand.
He immediately laced his fingers with hers and gave a small smile. "Lead the way, my queen."
9
KHULDRUK
Dru held her hand as she led them down a path in the woods. He would follow her anywhere. He had felt her magic awaken, and the magic of their bond would wake his as well. Orc magic was only ever fully in its power when they had found their mates, and he was certain she was his.
