It flaps its wings, just once, and suddenly takes off, flying to me. I put my hand forward and, as soon as it lands on my finger, a wave of relief comes over me. Not just that, but all of my memories come back too.
Silver City. Kelsi, Ben. Nora, Selena, the Black Brothers... and Liam.
"I'm here, tiger."
I glance over my shoulder, and he's here.
Moon Goddess, he's really here. It's Liam. I suddenly lose all my strength and fall back, right into his embrace. I chuckle nervously, half-crying and half-laughing, just so glad to see him. I feel his torso against my back, protecting me... For a while, I get lost in his blue-gray eyes above me, darkened by the storm raging above us, as if those were the only things I ought to see for the rest of my life. They probably are.
He's a mess, he looks panicked and stares at me as if I was about to disappear at any moment, but no doubt, that's my man. I chuckle again, and he sighs, hugging me tightly.
"Moon Goddess, Mara... Thank Moon Goddess you're back... Damn it..."
I nod, but the truth is, I'm still not... completely back. It's like one universe is trying to overtake the other. I see the forest around us, but I also see the raging flames of a fire, wolves fighting golems, and in front, Luna still standing there and watching us. Above us, there's a clear day, but, somewhere behind, like a strange filter, also the raging clouds of a thunderstorm.
I'm still being pulled toward that other place. She wants to keep me trapped there, to keep me in that forest, with the sorrow of a loss that isn't mine. I feel Liam, but he's the only tangible thing that I can hold on to. Everything else around me is wavering, as if I was on the verge of falling into one world or another... I look down at the butterfly on my finger. It starts... melting there, and I watch as it literally imprints itself onto my finger. It's now stuck there like a very vivid tattoo... I feel a slight pressure, but that's it. Is this what's helping me stay awake? I hold on to Liam's arms a bit tighter. I need him, otherwise, I'll go back into that horrible nightmare where I think my mate is dead...
"Enough, Luna!" I growl, warning her.
"What is it?" she chuckles. "You're dreaming, Luna. Your mate is dead, and I killed him... Don't you hate me?"
I close my eyes again, for a second. I'm not going to give in to her lies. This is probably how she got them all, all those witches. Make them see that nightmare, make them feel the loss of their mate, and then, have them give in to the hatred. But I won't. My mate is right here, I haven't lost him.
"Mara, who are you talking to?" he whispers, sounding worried.
"...You can't see her?"
"What? Her? ...No, I only see... some sort of dark hurricane. It's like the black aura you always mentioned..."
So this is really happening all in my head.
It's the same mind spell as the one I was stuck in when I trained with little Mara. Somewhere out of time. I stayed there for years indeed, taking the female wolf's place, but outside, probably a lot less time has passed. Thank Moon Goddess...
"Liam, how long was I... out?"
"A bit over an hour. You... got in the same state as Ravena, with the dark eyes, so we thought you had been taken too, but Nora said she could still feel your spirit, and the white aura in it... Selena too, she was sure you were still fighting. I could still feel our bond, but it was... very faint. So we just kept fighting to get to you."
Over an hour? Moon Goddess, I can't believe I abandoned them for so long... I knew I had to walk in Ravena's stead, into this trap, but still... I hope everyone's alright.
Something suddenly makes an awful noise on our right, and Liam growls, but to me, there's nothing but the forest!
"Liam, what's going on?!"
"The golems are coming closer," he whispers quickly. "Don't worry, we won't let them get to you... So you can't see them, huh?"
"N-no, I have to focus," I mutter. "I'm still trapped in her curse, just... more awake, now."
"I figured so. Your eyes... One of your irises is blue, and the other turned gold again. Are you going to be okay...?"
I chuckle. I hope so...
"Can you kiss me? Now?"
"Anytime."
I feel his lips on mine, but it's very faint. Moon Goddess, his lips... They are so warm...
"NO!"
