Page 86 of Maleen

I know those two love each other, but it’s how I imagine siblings are if they’ve grown up together.

We fall into silence and I can’t help but admire the beauty of the forest, and I don’t understand how something so beautiful could have such horrible stories about it. What I do remember is how large the trees are—even bigger than I remember. All five of us could easily stand hand in hand around the trunk of any given tree and I’m not sure we would be able to complete the link. I didn’t get to see much when we fled through here with me as a fledgling. I was too scared to pay much attention, and it was pitch black.

Although the farther in that we go, the darker it becomes. The thick canopy above blocks out the sun to the point where it’s eerie. The noises of birds chirping and critters rustling about slowly fade until the only sounds are the horses hooves hitting the dirt and our breaths.

Time seems to slow, or speed up. Maybe both? Without the sun, the distant part of the trail disappears into shadows, yet the path still seems to go on forever. Until we come to a stop in front of a large canyon giving way to the sky—the burnt orange coloring signals that it must be close to sunset. But at the entrance down into the gully, two rocky pillars arch until they meet high above us. This must be from the clues in the journal.

“Hey, I think this is the next line,” Jesper chirps from behind me.

I turn my horse to face the others. “What was it again? Something about going through it or perishing?” I glance around, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

“When the stones in the sky touch, go through or perish,” Killian recites from memory.

Jesper grunts uneasily in agreement. “The way is obvious. More traveling, less talking.”

Aemon’s shadows pulse and I’m instantly in tune with them as he searches for anything amidst us or around us.

I take a moment to glance around and notice a path to the right that looks a lot less daunting than being trapped unprotected between two sheer rock walls for however long—I might have even suggested it if it wasn’t for the journal, especially since we aren’t supposed to leave the trail. Then I feel another reason to follow the forest trail further… like something calls to my soul.

“Ravina? Did you hear me?” Talyn asks.

“Hmm? I’m sorry, something weird is happening, I think we need to get moving.” The feeling begins to grow and the forest seems to slowly creep in around me.

“That’s what we’ve been saying,” Jesper adds. “So let’s keep moving before whatever is happening tries to eat us. I definitely prefer not to become forest food.” Judging by his eyes, he is at least a little creeped out by the woods.

The call to continue down the forest path becomes stronger, but we urge our horses into a gallop, entering the canyon with wide open skies above us peaking from way above the towering rock walls. Once we are past the rocky pillars, the call ceases and the panic in my chest vanishes.

“That was so strange,” I murmur to the others, my voice carrying as echoes. “Do you think something was tempting us down that other path? It was like my body and mind wanted to follow it, but something was stopping me.”

Killian grumbles from behind. “There are creatures and cryptids that are long forgotten living here. Who knows what it was.”

Talyn laughs nervously. “At least we have a bit of a heads up on what to do, because I’m with Jesper. I would prefer not to die in this Fates-damn forest.”

The walls seem to close in the further we get, until my feet in my stirrups are scraping the rock face. If it gets any more narrow then we are going to have to abandon the horses, and I would really rather not do that. Who knows if they’ll even survive the trip back without us. On top of that, the sun has now set, and Talyn is holding a handful of fire to help light the way for Aemon.

Suddenly we stop and I hear Aemon say, “We should rest for the night. I don’t know what’s up ahead once we get out of this canyon, and we’ve been traveling all day. There’s only three entry points. This might be the safest option.”

“Thank fuck,” Jesper mutters. “I could pass out right here.”

Killian’s voice rumbles from behind me. “We can’t set up a camp here. So eat some rations and get some rest. I’ll take the first watch.”

Sleeping in the saddle? I think not. These horses need a break just as much as we do. My hand reaches for the canyon wall and my earth magick flares. I coax it to expand, creating a platform above us. When it’s stable, Nero slides onto the platform and I stand up on the saddle, praying that my horse stays still as I hoist myself up.

I peer down at my mates with a grin. “I don’t know about you all, but my ass is killing me from being in that saddle.”

Jesper pulls himself up next to me. “Dibs on sleeping with our mate!” He grabs my waist and flips me onto his chest. “I shall be your bed tonight—I can’t have my Beastie sleeping on stone.”

The earth shifts again and Talyn appears on a platform ahead of me. “Great idea, Rav.” He yawns and then summons water from one of the many jugs attached to our horses and creates a stream for them to drink from.

I make Killian and Aemon a platform as well. They both hop up, expressing their thanks as they sit against the wall.

“Get some sleep,” Killian mumbles as he gets comfortable at his post. “I’ll wake you if needed.”

“I’ll take the shift after you,” Aemon states.

I begin to doze off as they arrange who’s doing what watch. I must be more tired than I thought, because just like that, the realm fades to darkness and I’m out like a light, enjoying the warmth of my mate’s arms banding around me.

I WAKE TO the sound of soft snores but it’s Talyn under me instead of Jesper. I glance around in confusion and see Jesper playing with his knives in the early morning light.