Soul Ties

Chapter 12: Uthoria

The rest of the trip to Uthoria was silent between me and Barlow. After hearing about what it was like on Xoven, especially the death of his friend, we both needed some time with our thoughts. Every now and then I would glance at him, hoping he wasn't blaming himself for what had happened that day. I didn't know how to comfort him except to give him space.

I needed to think anyway. I figured the plan Seren and I had come up with wasn't going to be easy, but hearing about Demien Crypt made it seem down right impossible. How was I going to hide from a guy like that? Not only was he dangerous, he sounded like an egotistical tyrant with anger issues. One wrong step and who knows what would happen to me.

How was I supposed to stick a knife in the heart of my mate when Crypt seemed to have eyes everywhere? How were we going to escape? Would I rather be banished to Plut than deal with having my neck sliced open by Crypt? I couldn't imagine Seren getting hurt. I wouldn't allow it. Demien could do and say whatever he wanted to me, but he would not hurt Seren. That I would make sure of, no matter what I had to do to keep that promise. If I had to take down Crypt myself, I would.

I snort thinking about me attempting to kill a guy like him. Little me, who had never fought someone before, taking down a powerful and blood thirsty ruler. It was absurd.

There was no way I would be able to get close to Crypt without one of his guards taking me out. He came from a powerful family, and I was basically no one. Who was I to even think I would have the strength, let alone the guts, to kill the ruler of Xoven? Since when did I want to be such a big hero?

I needed to focus on what was important and not let my feelings get the best of me. The only thing I had to worry about was getting to Seren and figuring out the rest once we were back in each other's arms. Crypt wasn't an issue. At least, I hoped he wouldn't be.

"We're here," Barlow announces, pulling me out of my thoughts. Looking up, I realize we're heading right into what looks like a sun. A bright sun that's surrounded by what seemed like melting clouds. Was it mist?

As we move closer, the mist starts to surround the ship. It covers the entire window so much that I can't really see through it. All I can see is the light in the background getting brighter the more we move forward.

"How can you even make out anything through these clouds?" I ask, a small amount of alarm in the back of my voice.

"I can't," he replies. "The mist pulls us through. It's Thysus' way of knowing who's coming into Uthoria."

"Like protection?"

"Yeah, although who would be crazy enough to attack a Goddess?"

He was right. Anyone who would do something like that was asking for a one way ticket to Plut. Killing my mate was one thing, but threatening a Goddess? I didn't have that much of a death wish. All the questions I had in my mind immediately vanish when we break through the clouds.

The planet is exactly as described. Sunlight touches every part of land, so bright that my skin begins to tingle. I have to shut my eyes to fight the sting of tears that's coming to the surface.

"We land there." Barlow points to an area of land that's elevated from the flowing fog on the ground. It's the exact same shape of the ship. My heart hammers against my ribs. In a few moments, I will be face to face with the Goddess of Beginnings. With Thysus. I can't breathe and my hands start to shake in my lap as we prepare to land.

I attempt taking a few deep breaths in while I watch Barlow steer the ship to land where he'd pointed before. You can do this, my mother's voice echoes in my head. I clench my fists to stop the shaking and clench my jaw. My mother believed in me, so I had to believe in myself. She was counting on me, and so was Seren.