Page 44 of The Silent Mountain
“It’s the birds again,” I say nervously as they pass us. The screeching and the sound of their wings are filling the air. Barbara, Stefan and Ludwig have stopped their talk too, staring up into the sky.
I can see Stefan’s worry and Ludwig and Barbara’s shock.
“The birds are the key,” Favian says. “I am going to retract completely, Alana. You were right, completely so, and I was wrong. My trauma is no excuse. Please contact the witch you know. If you trust her, I will trust her too.”
fourteen
Surprises and Attacks
*ALANA*
I’mstilltryingtorecover from the fact that Favian apologized and retracted from his previous standing, completely, and is now fully on board with inviting another witch to the clan, as he leads me back into the castle.
My eyes fall on a couple of guards first, who are surrounding a group of people. “Our first guests have arrived,” Favian says.
“Is that the surprise?” I ask curiously.
He just smirks and gestures for the guards to make room for us.
Once they do, my eyes fall on Azadeh, my sister-in-law and current queen of the werewolf kingdom, Beta Shayan with his friend, a majestic dog-like creature named Cù Sìth, next to him, and Gamma Tynan, one of my best friends.
I squeal, letting go of Favian’s arm and running towards my friends. Tynan catches me midway, twirling me around in joy. “Alana!” he blurts out before hugging me again. “You look fantastic!”
“You too, Tynan.”
Favian has stepped closer, and Tynan makes sure to put me down again. “All platonic,” he blurts out. “I’m mated.” He fumbles over his own words before gesturing towards Shayan, who just looks amused. “To him.”
Favian nods. “I know.”
Meanwhile, Azadeh steps forward and hugs Favian. “It’s good to see you,” she says with a smile. They share a look that only they can understand. For months, their fate was connected to each other, and it was crucial for Favian’s release from his mental prison that Azadeh found a way to use that bond. It’s like a sibling bond, nothing more. Neither of them ever wanted the other one. Aza has always been in love with my brother, and Favian… well… I hope that from the moment we met, he has only ever wanted me.
It's similar with Tynan and me; no sexual tension anywhere.
I remember my manners and greet Aza and Shayan.
“What’s with the dog?” Ludwig asks. He has followed us inside and now eyes Cù Sìth curiously.
“It’s the harbinger of death,” Shayan explains calmly. “We bonded when we fought against the dark witch.”
“The warrior saved me, and I’m bound to him now,” Cù Sìth growls, making the dragons around me halt in shock when they realize he is able to talk.
“I’m sharing Shayan with a deathly creature,” Tynan grumbles.
Shayan snorts. “Are you truly jealous of a gigantic pup?”
“It’s the harbinger of death, not any pup,” Tynan argues.
Azadeh just rolls her eyes. “Tynan has been like that the whole way,” she whispers to Favian and me. “I’m not sure if I want to wait and see Shayan losing his patience with him.”
“It’s a creature, it’s not like I’m sharing my bed with it. That spot belongs to you, if I may remind you.” Shayan tells Tynan in his usual calm manner, which is probably what riles Tynan up even more. I know my friend. He is a hot-headed, fun and strong guy, but a tad insecure sometimes, especially when it comes to his intelligent mate who, although only human, is considered a war hero in both the human and the werewolf kingdom.
“Allow me to show you around, Azadeh,” Favian says loudly now. “And you too, Beta Shayan. I’m so honored to finally be able to greet both of you in my kingdom.”
“Thank you, but the honor is mine,” Shayan says.
Aza turns around to look at me. “Kilah sent something for you. Let’s meet later!”
I smile. My sister Kilah and I didn’t have the best relationship, but we understand each other a lot better now. I’ll bet she sent a dress for me. Previously, it would have annoyed me, but now I’m quite thankful. Something to surprise my dragon mate with.
