From The Ashes

Chapter Forty-One

I awoke with a start. I was breathing heavily as I recalled the dream.

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I wrapped my arms around myself; trying to recreate the loving embrace of my mother's arms.

It had been a shock to finally meet her, to see her, and hear her voice. She was everything I had ever hoped for in a mother and more.

But there was something I couldn't forget. 

Someone was going to die. 

I glanced over at Valen and admired his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful and serene in his slumber.

My heart clenched at the thought of losing him. I traced his cheek with my finger. 

"I won't let anything happen to you," I vowed before getting up and exiting our tent. 

I wasn't surprised to see that I was alone. The sky was still black and a chill surrounded my body. I clutched my sweater and wrapped it tighter around my body as I sat by the smoldering remains of a forgotten fire.

I stared into it as the faces of everyone I loved flashed through my mind's eye. 

Valen. 

Von. 

Artemis. 

Aislinn. 

Anton.

King Ruben. 

Queen Stella. 

And finally, Aunt Maddie. 

Tears were flowing steadily down my cheeks now, leaving cold trails as the dripped into my lap. It dawned on me then how much love I really held in my heart for all of these people.

Artemis and Aunt Maddie were always my biggest supporters, my shoulders to cry on and the one's who always wanted to see me happy.

They had always been my family, but now, my family had grown. In such a small amount of time, these people had opened their homes and their hearts to me; allowing me to fall into a comfort and security I had never known. 

I would be forever grateful to them.

I promised myself that I would do everything to keep them safe. 

I glanced up at the sky once more, trying to determine when dawn would break. I sighed, knowing that it wouldn't be long now. 

I heaved my body up and climbed back into the tent with Valen, snuggling close to him and closing my eyes for one more brief moment of peace. 

***

Snowflakes danced lazily in front of me. Sunlight was just beginning to peak over the horizon, casting a brilliant golden hue all throughout the valley. 

The first snow, so pure and clean, was soon to be tainted red. 

I adjusted my stance and glanced at Valen out of the corner of my eye. His hulking black frame stood waiting and ready.

Von flanked him on his left, with King Ruben on my right. Behind us were Aislinn and Queen Stella, who were also flanked by two other warriors.

Anton was farther back in the woods, leading the other warriors into a circular formation. We weren't going to allow anyone to escape.

We were ready. 

I caught Von's gaze and could see determination gleam in his eyes. He was practically vibrating with the need to be reunited with his mate.