Everyone knows that all wolves have soulmates, but some don't know that nymphs are blessed with mates as well. When a nymph meets its mate, its wings sprout for the first time; it's the tell-tale sign for all nymphs.
Except Clarestonia.
Clare's wi...
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"Clare? What are you doing here?"
Marald looks me up and down, taking in my disgruntled appearance. His eyes stop on mine, which I'm sure are red and puffy from crying.
"Are you alright?"
Not trusting my voice, I shake my head and allow him to swallow me in a giant hug. He calls for Narissa and within moments, I hear her voice.
"Something must be wrong with Cyrena," Narissa says immediately, "she wouldn't show up unannounced otherwise."
Marald pulls me away and holds me out at arms' length. "Is she right, Clare?" I only nod my head, squeezing my eyes shut and trying not to think about how I left Cyrena atop a massive fire back at our home.
Marald breathes heavily through his mouth before pulling Narissa and I away from their house.
"What are you doing? We need to take her inside!" Narissa hisses at her brother while I continue to cry silently.
"There's no room with Marrox visiting," Marald tells his sister, already walking off in another direction. I follow without much resistance. I came here with the intention of letting them take care of me. I trust them and will follow their lead. I'm not in any position to be making decisions for myself. I'm surprised I even made it to the Frollick in one piece. "We'll have to take her to the serai. She can stay there for a few days while we figure out a place she can go long-term."
"I don't like that idea," Narissa mutters stubbornly.
"Well, it's really the only option we have, given the circumstances," Marald snaps back. My tears have slowed, now, and I sniffle every-so-often as I take in my surroundings. I've visited River Falls a couple times, but really only the outer areas of the land. Narissa and I like flying around and playing in one of the meadows closer to where my home used to be. Swinnies grow in the field and, while they're not my favorite flower, they are very pretty.
After a few more minutes, I finally feel calm enough to talk. "What's a serai?" My voice is raspy and hoarse; I haven't used it for anything other than crying for a long time.
Marald jerks unexpectedly, as if he didn't expect me to speak at all. He stops walking, looking my whole body over as if I may have an injury that I am keeping from him. Once he is finished with his assessment, he continues walking, not holding me quite as close as before.
"It's just a big house for travelers to stay in," he explains. "It's mostly used by wolves who are looking for their mates, but some other people travel through this area as well."
"I'm pretty sure there's only one or two other people staying here right now," Narissa pipes up.
We walk inside and Marald guides me to an office. A tall, brooding man sits at a desk in the middle of the room. A large display of keys sits behind him.
