Kamrynn’s POV
I woke up at sunrise, a sense of determination anchoring itself deep within me. Today was the day. No more running, no more waiting for Sherelle to strike. It was time to finally take control of my life rather than let her pull the strings.
The warm glow of the early morning sun spilled through my window, casting long shadows across the room. I stretched, inhaling deeply, trying to push away the unease that had been settling in my gut since last night. No matter how much I tried to ignore it, I couldn’t shake the ominous feeling creeping up my spine.
Brushing it aside, I focused on the things that mattered most-my children.
I slipped into the adjoining bathroom, turning on the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. My mind drifted as I scrubbed my skin, running through all the possible ways my encounter with Sherelle could go. I needed to be prepared.
Once I was clean, I dressed in something comfortable-a simple black dress with fitted pants and boots. I needed to be able to move freely, just in case.
With my hair still damp, I left my room and headed straight for Marlana’s.
She was already awake when I arrived, sitting on the edge of the bed with a soft smile, watching over Astor and Arabella. The sight of them, so small and innocent, made my chest tighten. They were sleeping so peacefully, completely unaware of the storm brewing around them.
“Good morning,” I greeted in a hushed tone.
Marlana looked up, her gaze warm but perceptive. “Morning, dear. You’re up early.”
“I have a lot to do today,” I admitted, stepping toward the crib.
Marlana didn’t ask questions, but I knew she was thinking them. She had always been intuitive.
Turning my attention to my babies, I carefully reached into the crib, my fingers brushing against Astor’s chubby cheek. He stirred slightly, letting out a tiny whimper before blinking up at me with big, curious eyes. My heart clenched at the sight.
Arabella followed shortly after, stretching her tiny arms, her lips parting in a soft yawn.
“Good morning, my loves,” I murmured, lifting them both into my arms. Their warmth seeped into me, grounding me in a way nothing else could.
Marlana stood. “Let me prepare their bath.”
I nodded, grateful. I wanted to do this myself. Something deep inside me told me I needed to.
The feeling of unease never left me as I bathed them, carefully washing their tiny hands, their little feet. They smiled as I ran the washcloth over their bellies, and I found myself memorizing every single detail- the way Astor curled his fingers around mine, the way Arabella kicked excitedly, splashing water everywhere.
Once they were clean, I dressed them in soft matching onesies, holding them close to my chest before feeding them.
I kissed their heads over and over again, inhaling their scent, savoring their warmth, imprinting this moment into my soul.
“I promise to come back soon,” I whispered against their skin. I had to.
After a while, I reluctantly handed them back to Marlana. She cradled them effortlessly, her expression soft but knowing.
“You’ll come back,” she said, almost as if she could read my mind.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat before leaving the room.
Before meeting Lorien, I made one last stop.
I cracked open the door to Calvin’s room and peered inside.
He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily, and though he didn’t look any better than last night, I knew he was going to make a full recovery. I truly believed it. He looked… exhausted, even in sleep, face still streaked with bruises, his lips slightly parted as he breathed.
I should have told him where I was going but I knew he’d never let me leave. I honestly didn’t tell anyone where I was going or what I was going to do. I didn’t want anyone else getting involved, enough people had already gotten caught in the crossfire.
By now, we both knew what Sherelle was capable of and the lengths she would go to make sure she got what she wanted.
Sherelle was a loose thread in my life, and I needed to tie it off. I still didn’t understand what she possibly had against me or why she hated me so much but I was going to find out.
With one last glance, I closed the door softly and headed outside.
Lorien was already waiting for me.
He stood near the treeline, arms crossed, his piercing gaze scanning the horizon as if lost in thought.
As soon as he heard my footsteps, he turned. His fiery red hair shimmered under the golden sunrise, his sharp Draconian features unreadable.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I exhaled. “I’m ready as I’ll ever be.”
His gaze lingered on me, skepticism flickering in his eyes. He didn’t believe me.
I didn’t blame him.
But he didn’t argue.
Lorien stepped back, and with a gust of wind and a rush of power, he shifted.
The ground trembled slightly beneath me as his massive dragon form took shape- enormous wings stretching wide, scales glistening like molten rubies, his scarlet eyes burning like pools of blood.
I had seen him shift before. Countless times.
But it never stopped being breathtaking.
With practiced ease, I climbed onto his back, gripping the thick ridges of his scales.
Then we took off.
The wind whipped against my face as we soared over the treetops.
The sky stretched endlessly before us, painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun climbed higher.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then, over the rushing air, I asked, “Where exactly are we going?”
Lorien’s voice rumbled beneath me. “You’ll see when we get there.”
His cryptic answer did nothing to soothe the growing unease in my stomach.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus on the mission ahead.
I wasn’t afraid of Sherelle. Not anymore.
But something about this-about the way Lorien refused to give me a straight answer-bothered me. I couldn’t tell if it was paranoia or my own sense of self preservation but I began to question if this could be a trap. But I knew it was a foolish thought, Lorien wasn’t one to cook up elaborate schemes. He wouldn’t take the effort of flying me miles away just to harm me. At least I hoped so.
We flew for what felt like hours.
But still I couldn’t shake off the anxiety of not knowing just exactly what I was walking into.
Then, suddenly, Lorien spoke.
“Brace yourself.”
Before I could ask why, he descended sharply.
The moment we landed, a thick, eerie fog wrapped around us.
I slid off Lorien’s back, boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. My heart pounded as I took in my surroundings.
The twisted, darkened trees. The oppressive silence. The faint scent of something rotting in the air.
Recognition slammed into me like a punch to the gut.
Helion Forest.
I went rigid.
“No.”
The place where it all began.
The place where Sherelle tricked me. Where she stole my memories. Where she handed me over to Lorien like an object.
A cold shiver ran down my spine as a flash of memory surfaced-Sherelle’s face, her voice laced with false sweetness, the feeling of betrayal just before everything went dark.
I swallowed hard, forcing the memory away.
Lorien shifted back to his human form, stretching his arms.
I turned to him sharply. “What the hell are we doing here?”
Lorien met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “Sherelle is devilishly intelligent. You didn’t think she’d make it easy to find her, did you?”
My hands curled into fists. “You’re saying she’s here? In the last place I’d ever look?”
He smirked. “Exactly.”
I exhaled through my nose, trying to steady myself.
Lorien stepped closer, his voice turning deadly serious.
“She’s deep into dark magic, Kamrynn. She probably knows we’re coming… so be prepared.”
I lifted my chin. “Good.”
I was counting on it.