Page 12 of One Last Promise
“She did study all the books in great detail,” Noor butted in, trying to be on my side.“She’s been in the library for days.”
“You have no idea what is out there, Alora.There are dark forces at play more deadly than the Noxlin.”
“Let’s not scare her, Nell,” Luz tried to joke, nudging her.“Why don’t you give her her daisy chain back?”Nell offered the bracelet my mother had turned to gold back to me.“There is a powerful protection spell on it.It will keep the mimic souls and dread shifters away.It will give you some protection against the Noxlin, too.”
“Thank you,” I muttered while Noor helped me put it back around my wrist.I stroked the delicate gold petals while I wondered what my mother would have made of all of this.Would she have let me go?
“I made these out of elmwood.”Luz handed me a bow and arrows.“Let’s hope you haven’t lost your aim on a moving target.”
“I can shoot an arrow as well as I play the harp.”It didn’t matter which string I was controlling, I could play one as well as the other.“Perhaps we need another archery contest when I get back.”
“You’ll need to use that fighting spirit while you are in Dreonarus.Raiden is a good warrior.Stay close to him and you will be fine.”Nell reached for the small white flowers in Luz’s hands.“These are your offerings for Nantu.May she bless you.”
“Stay safe, Alora.If you come across a Noxlin, run.You might not be able to escape him, but donottell him who you are.It might be your downfallorour salvation.”Frowning at Nell, I tilted my head at her.
“Was that one of Uri’s cryptic visions about me?”
“There is a path that you might take that will lead you towards a Noxlin, but Uri’s vision was very blurry.Be careful.That’s all I’m telling you.You will come back alive.Uri is sure of that.If you get captured by a Noxlin, know that you will be set free.”
“That is comforting.Did he see my powers manifesting?”When Nell shook her head, my body deflated.That didn’t mean my powers wouldn’t appear once I was back.
The thought of meeting a Noxlin for the first time made my stomach churn.I would shoot an arrow straight through his heart if I was given the chance.One less Noxlin pig to worry about.
It would give me a small amount of satisfaction for what they did to my mother.I would even twist the arrow deeper, bleeding him slower, so that I could watch the light drain from his dark, evil eyes.I would relish taking his life.
I fell asleep that night, content in knowing that tomorrow morning my adventure would begin.
The path I was meant to take lay before me.I finally felt a sense of control return, and I knew I wasn’t going to look back at my father tomorrow as Raiden and I made our way towards the Barren Lands.
I was taking my destiny back.
Chapter five
One step at a time, Alora.That’s what I told myself as Raiden and I made our way out of Dallethas.Dylins had lined the streets to cheer me on.A Dylin princess going on her pilgrimage to pay her respects to Nantu was always a sight to behold.They’d thrown flower petals at my feet as I walked passed, offering their good wishes and praying to Holy Ether for my safe return.
“How are you so calm?”I asked Raiden as we cleared the city.The Dylin warrior who towered above me was a vision of strength with his muscular body, short, blond, curly hair, and tan-kissed skin.
