Page 153 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“You will lead them well,” he says.
“What do you mean?”
He laughs. “You truly think the cunning King Gillean doesn’t have his own plans? His feelings are in the right place, but he is also a ruler, and as a leader, he has made some decisions concerning your person.”
“Endellion and his brothers told me that their father presented them with a weird deal… the one who melts my heart will get the throne.” I sigh. “I doubt this is truly what he meant, though.”
Favian nudges my forehead with his fingertip. “Even more reason to take a trip into your mind. And once you are done, try to travel to Cailleach’s.”
“Any advice?” I ask. “For when I am in her head?”
“I would say,” Favian smiles, “act like you would in an actual room, when you don’t want to be seen or heard. Don’t touch anything, don’t make any noise, no hasty movements.”
I chuckle. “In a weird way, that makes sense.”
“Don’t forget,” Favian says. “You are safe. No one can hurt you here. Don’t be scared.”
I nod. “For my friends and family,” I say. “They are relying on me.”
“I will lead you through the beginning of your meditation.”
“How did you learn all this stuff?” I ask him.
“I had time,” he says, and for a second I can see the pain in his eyes, and the anger. “I’ve spent years here.” He looks at me. “It’s time now, Azadeh.”
I close my eyes, listening to Favian’s calm voice. Like Erin during my trip to the little village, he instructs me to breathe, to focus on the way the air enters my lungs and leaves them again. He leads me into feeling relaxed and calm, and like Erin, he makes me search for the threads of fate. He makes me imagine them in front of my inner eye until I can see them for real.
It’s like I’m in a different sphere again, a different realm. I get up, curiously eyeing all the strings and threads in front of me. One of them is red and particularly alluring… it has to be leading to Endellion. I just know it. Part of me wants to reach out to him, but I know I don’t have time for any distractions.
Find the place where they all lead together,Favian’s distant, quiet voice reaches me. I can barely hear him anymore, but do as he instructed. I’m not sure if he says anything more as I’m so focused on the task ahead of me. Following the threads to their core, I find a beautiful butterfly.
“Hello,” I whisper, surprised but also fascinated.
The butterfly flutters around me, and when I blink the next time, I find myself in a beautiful forest. I can see snow in the distance, and sand on the other side. It’s like the forest itself is floating, but instead of feeling scared, I am fascinated.
I spin around, trying to look at everything. The rich grass and flowers, the many plants, the trees.
Eventually my eyes meet… a person.
I am not alone?
“At last, we meet,” the woman says with a smile.
“Who are you?” I ask. “You are in my mind?”
“No, technically, you just created this place and made it possible for me to finally visit you.”
“I created this?” I ask. “This is not just my mind?”
“Yes, and no. The limits between dream and reality aren’t always that clear.” The woman approaches me now. She is beautiful, ageless, with white hair gracing her face, and in her eyes, I can see the stars. “Come, walk with me.”
I nod, joining her on her walk. I’m not scared of her, and I’m also not bothered by her presence. “You are their deity, aren’t you? Their goddess?”
She looks at me, surprised. “How did you figure this out?”
“It’s as you said… this is a place I created, and at the same time, it’s also my mind. It’s like my walls are down.” I pause. “And, I just know.”
She smiles. “My name is Arianrhod. And yes, I’m the protector of the wolves.”
