Page 70 of His True Beloved

“When we first met, she told me about this weird fascination of getting chased and claimed in the woods. The problem is, I don’t know how long she will make that Krawl guy hunt for her.” She bit her lip in worry.

“Alpha Enzo is an amazing tracker, one of the best,” Tate interrupted, bringing a round of shots. “He’ll have her by the end of the night.” I shook my head, taking three shots to catch up to Suron, who continued to down them.

Christine wasn’t far behind, but her resistance was wavering as she swayed in her seat. “The lights are so pretty.” She squinted, caressing her head on my shoulder. “Do they have lights like this in Bergarian?” Suron’s eyes tightened, only to relax as Tate patted his back.

Suron was taking this war far harder than expected. His parents were still out there, and the hope he would find them now that Darius was dead, now dwindled with the new war.

“Many will pull through,” Tate reassured him. “This I know to be true.” He took another shot.

“The lights,” I began speaking to my beloved, “are far more beautiful than on Earth. Earth’s skies have been tainted with pollution, the seas overcrowded with garbage and debris. Bergarian holds not one sun but two light sources that give off the glow of pink, purple and blue skies.” Christine’s head lifted from my shoulder, her arm wrapping around my chest as I explained.

“The land of the East, which holds the Golden Light Kingdom, is where the light sources hold strong. The ocean’s waves are crystal blue, colors of life that live inside it far different than in this realm. As the light sources pass over the land and follow mountains and plains, the greenery is a thick, almost blue-like hue. Willows, cotton-bearing trees, and vegetation of purple moss that releases golden lights as you step upon them in the forest.” Christine smiled, her hazy gaze of alcohol taking hold of her.

“The Cerulean Moon Kingdom holds a blue hue to the forests and land. The woods are thick and lush, keeping many shifters in burrows or packs. The blue moon that rises over the kingdom is the brightest there, and ultimately the Moon Goddess favors this kingdom due to their extreme submissiveness to the callings of mates.”

Taking another shot, Suron’s eyes watered from across the table. The pain in his heart amplified, and all Tate could do was console the young vampire. My head tilted in attention that Tate gave Suron, wondering if there was something more.

“Keep going,” Christine whispered, her eyes fluttering. The music had faded, wolves, vampires, and humans filtering to the outside bonfire that would be taking place on the edge of the woods. Many already had been paired with their mates, and only a few humans remained to stay in their houses once the mixer ended.

“To the south, where the moon and light sources hide most of their light, lays the Kingdom of Vermillion. It holds its own special light from the foliage. Green grass is tipped with red, signifying the Vermillion colors it’s named after. The low lighting gives growth to plants that wouldn’t otherwise grow in the other lands of Bergarian, making the crops yield at higher prices and fill the stomachs of those that need nourishment from the land.” Christine hummed, burrowing deeper into my chest. Her legs had somehow straddled my lap, making me chuckle.

Rubbing up and down her back, my mind went to a place I had hoped would have long forgotten.

“That was many years ago, the land so fruitful. The soil was rich, and the bounty was plenty. Trading between the kingdoms came easily, and Vermillion held the upper hand in trade and commerce. It always worked well when the people drank blood and exporting food was the main profit.” I chuckled.

“Then Darius took control, and the ground withered into nothing.” I growled lowly. “He destroyed the land, the people, sprouting evils from the depths of the nobles and returning them to their demonic state.”

Christine stirred, her head coming to my neck.

“Then how did you know about the land before Darius? I thought he was older than you?” Christine kissed my neck, giving me the courage to go on.

“My parents.” I swallowed. “They had old picture paintings of the land before it was ruined. The stories they told gave me hope that I would see the land restored one day, and I want that. To see the land as they saw.” My beloved’s hand cupped my cheek, kissing my lips.

“It will happen,” she whispered. “I believe it with all my heart. Especially since Darius is now dead and Taliyah is there.” I smiled, seeing the confidence in her words. “And since you know her, maybe we will help too.” Nodding, I kissed her lips. Setting her back into the crook of my neck, her breathing evened out, and she fell asleep into the silence that now left only a few servers left at the mixer.

Tate had Suron in an embrace that I could only imagine was that of sorrow. Suron was silently sobbing, his hand gripping Tate’s shoulder. “Are you sure? Really sure?” Tate rubbed his back until he pulled him away.

“They want you to know they love you.” Tate’s voice softened. “They were sad to see you go, worried about you, but now they can see what a wonderful person you have become.”

“Fudge.” Suron leaned his head back into the seat. My lip quirked at his language, only to have my frown deepen.

“No point in going back now,” Suron said to me. “My parents died shortly after my departure.” Suron pushed away from the table, looking around the room. “I’m going home. Party is over anyway.”

“Wait,” I called out, but Suron didn’t turn. He continued to walk, sulking to the door.

“The fuck did you say to him?” I hissed. “How do you know such things about his parents?” Tate shook his head, his hands rubbing his face, hair falling into his eyes. His body looked heavy while he sighed into the table.

“Witches say it’s a blessing, but I see it as a curse,” he murmured, trying not to wake Christine. “When I received my wolf, he wasn’t just an ordinary wolf. He’s a conjuring.” I shook my head. I had never heard of such a thing.

“They’re rare. In fact, I’ve looked in all the books I can find and never heard of one. My wolf may just have been a mistake, accidentally created by the gods.” A growl left his chest, his yellow eyes brightening while he rubbed his chest. “Easy.” He laughed out loud. “A conjuring, as my wolf calls himself, can call upon those who have passed into the next life for advice, or if those who have passed are strong enough, they can come to me.”

Holy shit.

“I don’t allow my wolf to conjure spirits, not since I found out I cannot conjure my own blood bloodline.” He swallowed. “That’s why I call it a curse. Help everyone but myself. To see my own family.” Clearing his throat, he continued, “Those spirits that are strong enough to find me are the ones that need to convey a critical message. Alpha Enzo’s grandparents let me know that our new alpha was going to have a spit-fire for a mate, and when I heard sigma…” He whistled. “I knew it had to be her.”

“But Suron, how did you—”

“Suron’s parents.” He cleared his throat. “His parents came to me while you all were dancing, talking to my wolf.” Licking his lips, he stared at the floor filled with confetti, broken parts of guitars, and beer cans being swept away. “Suron survived by the skin of his fangs. His parents were killed right after he walked through the portal.”

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