"May I ask you a question," Olisnia inquires to Alma as she slows her horse to match the werebird's pace.She nods softly shifting on her steed. She stares at the back of Evyn's head as the men ride ahead of them, but he does not glance back. The sun has only risen and set once since they left Windwill. She did not understand why they continued to travel, even at night. Her eyes strained to see where she is going. Both Jasper and Evyn hold up torches for their horses to be able to navigate."Has it always been difficult for you to shift forms?"Alma's eyes widen as her gaze snaps back to the Drulian. Out of the corner of her vision, she can see that Evyn glances back as well, but only for a moment. Heat bursts up into her neck at the embarrassment."Uh, yes, I have never been able to completely shift." Alma tightens her grip on her reigns and moves her gaze to the neck of her horse, trying to block out how ridiculous it is that she would not know how to transform.Olisnia's voice
Drake steps to the side, able to somehow sense Eliana's presence. He is not quite quick enough, though, as the rusted nail imbeds itself in the side of his arm. He bares his teeth in pain. As he tries to turn and face the Princess, she rips the weapon out and goes for his neck.With reflexes now kicking in, Drake grabs Eliana's wrist, tightening her hold on the metal. She whimpers as her flesh is pinched. Gritting her teeth, she yanks against his hold, trying to step away.Drake's long hair is now even over her own shoulder, tangling them together. He grabs her other arm, pinning her in place."Let me go." She seethes, her face burning with anger. She will not allow herself to be used and manipulated by a Climont monster."You just tried to kill me, and yet you're still demanding things of me," he chuckles, his chest rumbling. Drake's breath is hot on her face, only causing her rage to build. "I said unhand me.""Only if you promise to sit peacefully and listen to what I have to
"Have I made a mistake?" Eliana whispers as she sits in the large wooden drum, washing off the grime of her travels. The water has become drastically cool, but she welcomes the cold, allowing herself to become clearer minded. "How do I know that Drake will keep his word?"Cupping a handful of the water, Eliana splashes it over her face, rubbing her cheeks."He would not risk the wrath of his father for nothing, right?"Making sure to keep her body almost completely submerged in the water, Eliana dunks her head back, wetting her hair. She glances around at her surroundings carefully. She is on the outside of camp, a large sheet blocking her view of the tents. She wonders if they all do this when they bathe. "What if someone is watching," she wonders to herself."Prince Drake has ordered all men to stay within camp, to not venture out, for the time being." Junet explains as she appears through the small tuft of decaying trees. "He does not want your privacy impeded on.""That is v
Jasper paces back and forth, his shoulders hunched over, his gaze never leaving the spot where Eliana was standing.Alma is still near the tub, watching him. Her heart warms at the emotion Jasper feels for Eliana. The love he has, even for someone who could not possibly be his soul bond. It gives her hope, that even though her lover in Pyrion is not her mate, that they can still be happy and in love. She presses her lips together to hide a smile at the thought of the young man. His short, pale hair and his beady eyes that linger on her. An image of him forms in her mind, smiling at her. "Oh come on," Evyn growls snapping her out of her reverie, "Why are we even still here?" He throws his hands up into the air, exasperated. "She obviously is not in any real danger. She can simply just go home with them."Weighing whether or not she should respond, Alma covertly follows Evyn's movements. He is close to her, his scent twisting around her heart and blocking most of her senses. She inha
"We should be leaving now," Jasper growls out. He runs his hand through his hair, pulling the locks. "It is only for a few hours," Alma explains. "We will be able to make up the time later on.""I do not feel comfortable here," he retorts, snarling. The Climont soldiers mill about, shining their weapons or cooking their dinner. The maids constantly glance over at the Pivurlions, their brows stitched up with unease. Jasper refuses to relax in this atmosphere. There is a tension thick in the air that he does not trust. "Let's retrieve our horses," Alma urges, moving to his side."I am not leaving her here alone.""She is not alone, Olisnia is with her." Jasper breathes in, but he is only able to sense a small whiff of Eliana's honey scent. He cannot put too much distance between them. He must protect her."She is right," Evyn sighs entering the conversation. "We all know Olisnia is very powerful. She will watch over Eliana while we go to get the horses. We will need them if w
"You're lying," Eliana bites out, her entire being wracked with a shockwave reverberating through her. She grits her teeth, trying to hold herself together. "Why would you even say such a thing?""Because it is the truth," Olisnia sighs. "I know it is difficult to comprehend, but it is a fact of your lineage.""It is impossible. My grandmother passed before my mother ever gave birth to me. Neither me nor my mother have any abilities." Anger rolls through Eliana, the edges of her vision darkening. She stands her hands tightening into fists."It is simply because your blood has mixed with that of a human. You do not hold the same abilities as a fullblood Kexon. You most likely cannot shift completely, but you are still considered a Pivurlion. Your golden hair is proof of this.""What—my hair? Why?" Eliana reaches up and gently tugs on her locks."I am sure you are aware that every clan has their own specific trait. The werebears are overtly large, and the werebirds are thin, short,
"Let's rest here," Jasper says, slowing his horse near a group of dead trees.Eliana sighs with relief as he slides down from their steed, her heart beginning to finally calm down.He turns around reaching up to help her descend. "I am able to get down on my own," she murmurs, swinging her leg over the side.Jasper is right behind her, though, his hands finding her sides to ease her movement.Eliana gasps, a fire exploding in the pit of her stomach, taking over her entire body. His hand causes her shirt to bunch up, the breeze brushing against her bare skin."Are you alright," Jasper questions close to her ear once she is standing on the ground."Uh, I'm fine," she forces out harshly.Refusing to even look at him, she moves away, her chest tight. She gulps, moving to Alma in order to begin unpacking some of the food."I will go hunt for some meat. I saw some deer running around about a mile to the north," Evyn states sliding down form his horse. "It will be easier to hunt wit
As the women exit the trees, Eliana's gaze immediately searches out Jasper. Her heart begins to flutter when she eventually does see him, but it is short lived. He is standing near Alma, laughing. He moves his hands around, explaining something to her.The werebird nods, closing her eyes.Eliana only stands there, watching, with Olisnia by her side.Alma's brow furrows, her shoulders tensing up, but almost immediately, feathers begin to form on her arms, her hands welding together. Her legs shrink but only slightly. Her face protrudes out into a large beak. Jasper folds his arms, cocking his head to the side as he watches. After a minute nothing else happens. Alma flaps her wings around angrily, her beak clacking together, before she squawks and her human form is returned to her."Come, let us get closer," Olisnia says walking forward."Wait," Eliana squeaks trying to reach for the Drulian. As her heart is ripped from her chest, she eyes Jasper. She cannot help but realize that th