Sixty four
*Freya*
I blinked my eyes open and stared into pitch blackness. A chill ran down my spine as an eerie silence pressed in around me. This had to be another one of those bizarre dreams.
“Hello?” I called out, my voice swallowed by the darkness. “Is anyone there?”
Only the sound of my shallow breathing echoed back. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling very alone and vulnerable in this strange void. Where was I? And how did I get here? I tried to recall where I was before I appeared here, but my mind was completely blank.
A gust of icy wind blasted against my skin, nearly knocking me over with its force. Tendrils of my hair whipped across my face. I had to get out of here, fast, before something terrible happened to me in this nightmare world. My heart racing, I started running blindly forward, my feet pounding against unseen ground.
The howling wind grew stronger, threatening to lift me off my feet. Desperately, I searched the blackness for any sign of escape or refuge. There! In the distance, the faintest glimmer of light. I ran faster, my lungs burning, desperate for that little beacon of hope. As I drew closer, I could make out the jagged form of a cave.
I hesitated for a split second, knowing that entering an unknown cave in a dream world was probably unwise. But another huge blast of wind pushed me forward, into the mouth of the cavern. Panting, I leaned against the cold stone wall, peering deeper into the passage where the light seemed to be coming from. Steeling myself, I crept forward to check, praying this cave would lead me to safety and out of this nightmare.
As I ventured deeper into the cave, the soft light grew brighter, emanating a warm, inviting glow. Suddenly, the rocky walls around me disappeared, and I found myself standing in the most enchanting garden I had ever seen. Vibrant flowers of every color imaginable bloomed in lush patches, their sweet fragrance filled the air. Tall trees with leaves that shimmered like emeralds reached towards a crystal blue sky. The atmosphere was filled with a profound sense of peace and joy that seeped into my very bones, dissolving the fear and confusion that had gripped me moments ago.
Laughter rang out, pure and melodic, drawing my attention to a group of little children playing together in the grass. They chased each other in circles, their beautiful faces light with carefree delight. As I watched them, a figure caught my eye-a woman with long, flowing hair the color of honey, her back turned to me as she knelt beside two little girls.
My heart stuttered, then began to race. It couldn’t becould it? Hardly daring to breathe, I took a step closer. The woman turned, and I found myself staring into the emerald eyes of my mother.
“Mom?” I whispered, my voice cracking.
She turned to me and smiled, radiant and loving, just as I remembered. Tears blurred my vision as a tidal wave of emotion crashed over me-grief, longing, and overwhelming joy. I had dreamed of her so often, aching to see her face, to hear her voice just one more time again. And now, incredibly, here she was, as beautiful and vibrant as the day I’d last seen her.
“Freya, my darling girl,” she said, opening her arms to me.
I ran to her, my feet carrying me over the lush grass. In an instant, I was in her embrace, her arms enfolding me with a warmth and tenderness that I had yearned for every day since she left me. I clung to her, burying my face in her shoulder as sobs wracked my body.
“Mom, I’ve missed you so much,” I choked out between tears. “Every night, I’ve wished for you to appear in my dreams, to be with me again.”
Her hand stroked my hair, soothing me as she had done when I was a child. “I know, my love. And I am always with you, watching over you, even when you cannot see me.”
We held each other for a long moment, savoring the reunion that defied the boundaries of life and death. Finally, she drew back, her hands cupping my face as she gazed at me with a mixture of love and concern.
“Freya, I brought you here for a reason,” she said softly. “Your spirit is with me now, but your body is in a coma in the waking world.”
A coma? How was that possible? Suddenly, the memories came flooding back-the confrontation with Kelly, the searing pain as she pushed me from the highest balcony of the castle. I had felt the rush of air, the sickening lurch in my stomach as I fell, and then… nothing.
“Kelly,” I whispered, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. “She tried to kill me, Mom. She’s always hated me, but I never thought she would go this far.”
My mother’s eyes shone with sorrow and compassion. She drew me close once more, her embrace was like a balm to my broken heart. “I know, my darling. I saw it all. The path ahead of you is filled with danger and betrayal, but you must stay strong. You have a destiny to fulfill, the crimson kingdom needs you. Your alpha needs you. I will be with you every step of the way, even if you cannot see me.”
I clung to her, drawing strength from her presence, her words. In this ethereal realm, surrounded by beauty and love, it was almost possible to forget the pain and fear that awaited me in the waking world. But I knew I could not stay forever.
“What must I do, Mom?” I asked, my voice small and uncertain.
She brushed a tear from my cheek, her smile gentle and reassuring. “You must wake up, Freya. Face the challenges that lie ahead with courage and resilience. Trust in yourself, and in those who truly love you. And remember, no matter what happens, I am always with you, guiding and protecting you from beyond the veil.”
“But what about the Crimson Kingdom? And the Alpha King? What does it all mean?” The questions tumbled from my lips as I tried to make sense of the pieces of the puzzle my mother had laid before me. What was happening with the kingdom?
Her eyes held a knowing explosion, a secret she couldn’t yet fully reveal. “In time, my darling, you will understand. Your destiny is intertwined with the fate of the Crimson Kingdom, and your path will lead you to the truth about the Alpha King. He will be your strength, your ally, and your greatest love. But there will be those who seek to tear you apart, to destroy the bond you share.”
I thought about what she said. I thought about Rafe. I couldn’t let Kelly get in between us. I wouldn’t.
***