Page 100 of Ecliptic

I shot to my feet, hope flittering in my chest like a delicate butterfly. The whispers behind me fell silent as I stepped to the curtain of mist again. Three bodies shuffled behind me, flanking me and holding their breath.

The shadow met me at the veil, its dark silhouette the only constant against the swirling haze.

Keeping my voice steady, I repeated Rayal’s words aloud, extending my arm with my palm facing the sky. My shadow reached to the stranger beyond the veil, and slowly, the body on the other side mirrored the motion, stretching their arm back toward me.

The shadows aligned through the archway as the air cracked and whipped with energy. Before I could comprehend what was happening, a hand circled my wrist, and I was yanked through the curtain of sand.

The falling golden particles separated for me as I entered the land of the desert elves, the sun in my face, blinding me.

36

“Welcome to Hara’dune, friend,” came the rich, deep voice of the man who held my hand. “My name is Thaydril, Keeper of the Eye of the Sun. And who might you be?”

I blinked several times as a large man appeared through the bright sun flares. I could barely see a thing, but even on this side of the arch, it looked like we were in the middle of nowhere. “My name is Keira,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “I come on behalf of Nepta, the Elven-head of the Wyn village. We all do.”

I waited for the others to introduce themselves, but my heart dropped into my stomach when no one spoke. I spun around, hoping to see familiar faces, but through the archway, there was only shimmering dust.

I tensed, concerned for their safety but also my sudden vulnerability.

I was alone.

The Keeper came into focus, his warm, brown skin radiant against the white fabric sweeping around his frame. His head was completely shaved, accentuating the sharp peaks of his ears that dripped with gold jewelry. Chains cascaded from his lobesto his body, wrapping around his bare shoulders like decorative armor

He looked me up and down, his eyes landing on my ears. “How very interesting.”

“Where are they?” I demanded, ripping my hand away.

“Only your shadow spoke to mine,” he replied, sounding slightly intrigued. Two guards in gold breastplates were behind him, their curved swords at the ready. “One immediately jumped in after you. The other two followed after that. I do believe they are now wandering in an infinite desert storm.”

“No!” I cried, darting towards him, but the guards grabbed me by my arms.

“You know the sacred laws. Release her,” Thaydril said, and the guards shot each other questioning stares. “She greeted us as a friend. She is to be treated as such.”

The guards released me reluctantly but stayed nearby.

“My offer of friendship was an extension of theirs as well; they seek the same,” I pleaded, meeting the Keeper’s eyes, which shimmered under golden eyeshadow. “Please. Let them through.”

“Very well.” Thaydril sighed and shoved his arm into the veil. He seemed to rummage around for a moment before he pulled Rowen through the curtain of dust. My soul flame was coughing and covered in sand. Unlike me, he hadn’t been given the courtesy of a smooth crossing.

We scanned each other worriedly before our eyes met in relief, and I quickly tipped my eyes to the guards. Rowen shook his hair, dust flying from his loose curls as he followed my gesture, quickly noting the armed soldiers as well.

“Rayal invited us here,” I explained, returning my attention back to Thaydril. I hoped the elves recognized the name and, more importantly, that the woman who had snuck food into mycell, made it home safely. “The people behind me helped rescue her from the Crypts.”

Thaydril’s eyes lingered on Rowen, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. “My apologies, beautiful,” he purred, his eyes practically undressing my soul flame. “Allow me to welcome you to Hara’dune. And perhaps a private greeting later in my chambers?”

“I am honored,” Rowen said, placing his hand on the small of my back. “But I must decline.”

I pulled Rowen closer; the need to claim my soul flame was a physical force I couldn’t ignore. “He’smine.”

“Ah, my apologies. I see now that he is spoken for,” Thaydril said, his amber eyes sparkling. “All the beautiful ones always are.”

“Your warm welcome into Hara’dune is much appreciated,” Rowen replied, his courtly demeanor radiating off him in full force.

Thaydril sighed and cupped his cheek with his palm. “And so polite. What a shame.”

His admiring stare never left Rowen, and despite the need to play nice, a low growl rumbled from my chest; my elven body vibrating in a way I’d never felt.

“You can retract your claws, little lioness. I won’t take him from you.”

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