The tension with his family is rough, but he assures me that everything will settle down in due time. His parents have even invited us to their palace for an engagement party, and although I’m still uncertain about how I feel, we’ve agreed to attend.
“What are you thinking about over there?” Hollie asks from atop Chepi’s back. It amazes me how he lets her ride on his back like that, but she is incredibly small.
“Oh, the party Elspeth and Granger are throwing for us and who might be there,” I respond as we walk along a path bythe creek. We’ve been exploring new trails every day, and the more I discover of the Dream Forest, the more I fall in love with its enchanting inhabitants and scenery.
“Like King Onyx?” she giggles, and I scold her.
“I doubt he’ll be there. Celebrating my relationship with Colton is probably the last thing on his list. I’m nervous about how everyone will react,” I admit.
Hollie stretches out on Chepi, soaking up the sun. “Who cares about their reactions? If anyone gives you trouble, unleash your shadows on them,” she quips with a mischievous grin. I can’t help but laugh. Hollie has been watching me practice my dark magic, and thankfully it hasn’t scared her off.
“Did you hear that?” I whisper, crouching lower to peer through the dense foliage. This part of the Dream Forest feels more remote than anywhere we’ve ventured before, and a prickle of unease settles over me. Beside me, Chepi and Hollie hover close, their tiny forms tense with alertness.
“What are they doing?” Hollie’s voice is barely audible as she squints at the group of five Fae men dressed in tan combat gear by the riverbank ahead. “Could there have been another attack nearby?” I murmur, more to myself than to them.
“I’ve never seen them in uniforms like that. It’s usually Colton or his friends who patrol here, not King Onyx’s soldiers,” Hollie observes.
They seem to be merely stopping for water, filling their canteens before preparing to move on. “I’m going to follow them. You two should head back,” I say, turning to them with a firm look.
Hollie plants her hands on her hips, defiance written all over her small face. “We’re coming with you,” she insists firmly.
Reluctantly, I nod. “Fine, Chepi can make you invisible if we run into trouble, as long as you are holding onto him,” I concede, watching her relax slightly.
“I know he’s a Glyphie, but he’s the first Glyphie I’ve met with such cute little horns,” she comments, reaching out to gently touch Chepi’s head.
“He shares my dark magic too,” I explain as the soldiers begin discussing channeling back to their camp.
“Camp? That means they might have a setup here in the forest. That’s highly unusual,” Hollie notes, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
“Fuck, if they channel, I think I can track their magic, but only if we use the same spot immediately after they leave. Be ready to run,” I instruct, my voice low and urgent as we inch closer, still concealed by the underbrush.
As the last man vanishes, the air still hums with residual magic, laced with an earthy, woodsy scent. We dash to the spot where he stood, and I focus on the lingering traces of his magic, my heart racing with adrenaline. With a deep breath, I channel us through.
We land softly on sandy terrain, surrounded by sprawling tents. Quickly, we duck behind the nearest one to avoid detection. “I’ve never done that before—tracked someone through channeling. That was incredible,” I whisper, unable to hide my thrill.
“It looks like you’ve brought us to Vision Valley, the desert lands,” Hollie observes, her voice low. She curls her lip as she lets a handful of sand trickle through her fingers, clearly unimpressed with the arid environment.
“Let’s find out what they’re doing here. Chepi can keep us invisible for quite a while now, thanks to his enhanced magic. Make sure you don’t let go of him. Remember, they can still hear us, so we need to keep quiet,” I instruct her, taking Chepi into my arms. Hollie clings to his fur at his neck and carefully settles down.
Once we are shielded from sight, I edge around thetent and begin to tiptoe through the camp. It’s bustling, filled with hundreds of soldiers milling about, their voices a constant buzz in the air. A distant roar and chanting draw my attention, and I follow the sounds, creeping closer until we come upon a large crowd. They’re gathered around a makeshift arena where two men spar, their magic sparking and clashing as they fight.
“What are they doing?” Hollie whispers.
“I think they’re training,” I murmur in response, my eyes never leaving the action below.
“But why here? And why so many?” Hollie’s questions are valid. The size and scale of this operation aren’t ordinary.
“Preparing for war,” I conclude softly, the realization settling heavily in my chest.
We watch intently as the two men in the pit, both shirtless and slick with sweat, circle each other. Each wields a sword in one hand while their other hand is hurling magic with calculated precision. The sun catches on the outstretched wings of one fighter, sending dazzling reflections our way. Their swords meet with a clang that echoes around the arena, sparks flying with each strike.
Suddenly, one of the Fae males gestures elaborately with his free hand, manipulating the sand beneath his opponent. The grains whirl and shift, rapidly forming a pit that begins to swallow the winged fighter, drawing him down until only his head remains above the surface. The victor bows to the applause of the onlookers before aiding his opponent out of the sandy trap. As they exit, two more warriors take their place, ready to spar.
The spectacle is mesmerizing, but it also presents an opportunity. With the crowd’s attention focused on the new fighters, now might be the perfect time to explore the camp and uncover what’s really happening here.
I tighten my grip on Chepi as we move stealthily throughthe war camp, guided by the pressing urgency to uncover the camp’s secrets before we’re discovered. Each row of tents blends into the next, but it’s the central, grandiose tent that catches my attention. It stands out with its imposing size and finer make.
Slipping inside, the lavish spread of furs across the floor and a makeshift bedroom in one corner suggest it’s a command tent. The rest of the space is dominated by military logistics: maps, communications equipment, and piles of documents all over.
