Fates | Book 2 ✔️

[33]

Emery is fast asleep in my arms with his head resting peacefully on my shoulder. He snuggles more into me as I adjust him in my arms, making sure he's comfortable. Every now and again I would notice Analia looking back at us, possibly checking to see if I'm still following. It gives me a little chuckle. Where would I go with a sleeping four-year-old child in an unknown land? 

"You must have questions," she says after a century of silence. 

"I do,  but I'm sure they'll be answered soon."

"There is no ill will to be had here. Cassius just wants to meet you is all." She runs a couple of her fingers through her long, black hair as if doing away with all that happened before this moment. As if were just taking a pleasant stroll through a forest. 

"So you said before... However, my mate must be worried sick about our child." 

"He is with you. Why would she be worried?"

I don't bother to correct her and carry on with the silence. The thoughts that must be running through Lance's worrisome mind; I can only imagine. He must be frantic. It is Emery, after all, and he would do anything for him.

"Mothers know. I am sure she is not as crazed as you're imagining right now."

"Well, you don't know mine." 

She laughs and says, "I suppose I do not."  

Strange, tall buildings appear through the trees from a distance. We must be nearing their territory. As soon as that thought crosses my mind, Analia stops and turns around to face me. 

"I'm going to blindfold you now," she says. 

Instinctively I back away, holding Emery tighter in my arms. 

"It is for security reasons. You must understand this, yes? We do not know you as you do not know us, but we would like to change that. However, everything comes with time."  

"My grandfather and I had come to warn you about clansmen coming over the border. Is that not enough trust for you?"

She rolls her eyes and fetches a cloth from her pocket despite my words, causing me to grimace. "Don't be so offended. It is only for a little while." 

Soon darkness covers my eyes, heightening my other senses. She tugs on a piece of my shirt and pulls me in whatever direction she wants me to go. Even though I don't know her very well, I have no choice but to trust in her words. She has been honest thus far. Hopefully, nothing will change within the span of time it takes to get there. Wherever that there may be. 

Sounds of unfamiliar voices made it to his ears followed by music, clatter, and movement. A plaza or courtyard, maybe? While I try processing that waves. of new smells hit my nose followed by the smell of food. Meat. Rice. Spices? Just where in the world did she take us?

"Da...ddy..." Emery mumbles near my ear. He's beginning to stir. Shit. He grumbles a little more before snuggling into me. 

"Shh. Shh, now. Go back to sleep." Even as I say those words, I know he won't be asleep for much longer. 

"Analia, how much longer?"

A door opens and she ushers us inside. There are a lot of footsteps and voices. Soon they settle and disappear, leaving me only with the sound of our own. It seems like we have been walking for hours with how long the hallway is. 

"mMmm... Daddy." His arm tightens around my neck.  

"You are okay, M."

"What is..." He touches my blindfold. "A game? Are we playing a game?" Emery asks with sleep still heavy in his voice.