The rest of the week flew by, and since we were in the mountains, there wasn't much for us to do, so after Wolfe went out and caught us a mountain ghost to eat, we just stayed cuddled up by the fire and today was the morning after the full moon, and I was ready to leave that damn cave.
My wound still wasn't completely healed, but thanks to Wolfe, I could remove the stitches due to the fabulous new rapid healing I gained when I bonded with him.
Using my bond with Kingston and Kyrah, I led the way up the rocky slope, falling with the grace of a klutz… Thankfully my handsome devil had fast reflexes and saved me many times from going headfirst into a large boulder.
We continued until the sun started to set, I was growing worried that we wouldn't be able to find the others, but my bond led us into another cave that was a bit of a tight squeeze, and even tighter for Wolfe… I may or may not have laughed my ass off when he had to shift and break away some of the rocks so that he could fit.
I tried so hard not to laugh, then snorted like a dumbass.
I tried but failed to run away, but Wolfe caught me, then tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, growling playfully as we made out way through the cave.
We both froze when we heard a scream from deep within the cave. Still carrying me, Wolfe ran like hell until we entered a monstrous cavern to find out the team was in trouble.
"Oh hell!" I yelled as I saw that the cavern was packed from floor to ceiling with terrifying demon bats that looked close to 8 feet tall and had long, razor-sharp fangs. The largest of the bats was possibly 10 feet tall and was all white with ruby-red eyes. The massive beast hung from the middle of the cavern, and in its claws was my friend Kyrah. "What in hell are those ugly things!"
"They are vampire bats," says Scorpius as she materialized, "Don't get too close to those teeth; they are shaper than my stinger."
The sound of Wolfe drawing his sword echoed through the cave, then with a Thunderous growl, he shifted and moved as swiftly as a dancer, taking out one beast after the other.
I tightened my grip on Scorpius and stepped into the onslaught of demon bats, hurrying to save my friends. The roar of a dragon echoed as Smaug flew in from somewhere up above. I looked up to find him diving down, taking out bats with his claws and teeth as he approached me.
"Smaug! Kyrah's in trouble!"
My poor friend has limp in the bat's claws, and I feared for the worst as I saw the tears on Kingston and Princely's faces. My mind went completely blank as I killed and killed the beasts.
Smaug finally reached me, dropping his head down so I could climb onto his back. Once I was safely in place, Smaug rushed toward the white bat, who was smiling wide, revealing its long fangs covered in my friend's blood.
Tears fell down my cheeks, and my heart felt like it wanted to shatter when the demon opened its claws and dropped the limp form of my friend.
Smaug swooped down and caught her with his claws, then flew over to where I saw Kingston and Princely. Kingston tossed an odd-looking ball of magic that crackled like lightning at the bats that had moved in too close.
My wyvern landed, then laid Kyrah down as gently as he could. I slid from Smaug's back, stumbling as I rushed toward my friend, then dropped to my knees. I gasped, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of me at the sight of her unseeing eyes and pale gray skin.
"No!!!!!" I screamed, pulling her into my arms, "You can't leave me!"
I was now bawling hysterically, clinging to Kyrah as the world around me returned to the day I met her. I had always thought she was the most beautiful and kind-hearted person, she shined brighter than the moon itself, and her smile could light up the world, but now… Her light was gone…
All around me, the others continued to fight; I knew Wolfe was nearby, and I could feel his worry and pain. When the bats decided they had enough, the white one took off through the top of the cavern, and the ones that were left followed it up, up, and away.
Now that it was safe, Kingston and Princely ran over and threw their arms around Kyrah and me, crying as we mourned the loss of our dear friend. Thankfully Wolfe didn't make a fuss about the guys being too close; he just sat and knelt next to me, letting me know he was there for me.
I don't know how much time had passed, but it felt too soon when Wolfe told me it was time to let her go.
"How can I ever let her go?" I asked, looking up at Wolfe, who lifted me up into his arms.
"You never really do, my sweet; she will live on through your memories and the love you felt for her." he replied, placing a sweet kiss on my forehead, "It's time to send her on to our goddess, my love."
In the Kingdom of Minevra, the dead are burned, and the ashes are sacrificed to the goddess so that the soul will be reborn.
I didn't even realize that the guys had built a pyre while I wasn't paying attention. It was difficult for me to watch Wolfe lift her body that we had wrapped in cloth, then sit her body on top of the things we could find to burn.
With the help of Smaug, the pyre was lit, and the four of us stood in silence as we said goodbye.
After losing Kyrah, the world around me seemed to have crumbled away. I was numb and went over and over in my head about if I had just been there a little bit sooner, I could have saved her.
I know time became blurred. I didn't know how long we had been in that cave, a few days or maybe a week. I knew Wolfe was right beside me, taking care of me when I couldn't take care of myself.
The sound of Wolfe growling made the world around me fall back into place. I blinked and shook my head as the fog lifted, returning me to reality.
Wolfe growled again, so I looked up to find him looking towards the cave entrance. I followed his line of sight to find Harlow and Gustin standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" I croaked, then cleared my throat, which felt a little sore. Why was my throat sore?
Harlet scoffed, then placed her hands on her hips, "Hello mom, do I need your persimmon? Umm, no, I think not!"
Wolfe released another growl as he rose to his feet, baring his wolfy canines at a pale-faced Gustin.
"Wolfe, sweetie, try to calm down, please. I know you can't stand him, but we don't need this right now, especially when we are close to the dragon's lair." I said, touching his arm
Harley laughed, "You realize this is the entrance to the dragon's lair, right? The Goddess herself told me, and if we continue through the cavern, there is supposed to be a maze, and the dragon is in the center of that maze."
"Oh wow, really?" said Kingston, "Well, I guess to finish this mission then, I'm ready to go home."
"Why don't we work together?" I asked Harley
"And why in the world would I do that? I have often told you that I do not need your help!" Harley yelled, then stomped her foot
"Are you seriously suggesting that I work with him!" Wolfe said through clenched teeth, "I am barely holding myself back, Harlow."
I sighed, then shook my head. These two were similar, but I would never tell them to their faces.
Harley. We will give you a thirty-minute head-start, then we will follow. Let's work together to take it down.
Wolfe growled but nodded, "All right, we will let the pussy cat go first."
"Don't call me that!"Harley hissed, stomping her foot again, then hurried on passed us without another word.
"Well, this is going to be fun," I mumbled, then started helping the guys clean up our stuff.
Then with one last silent goodbye to Kyrah, we set off toward the maze.
I don't know how long we had walked, but we eventually came upon a ledge. When I peered over the ridge, I could see the outline of a vast maze with very tall walls.
"How the hell are we getting down there?" I asked, pointing to the 10-foot drop.
"That will be easy for me, have Smaug carry Kingston and Princely. He explained that you would climb on my back, shifting into his werewolf, then crouch down so I could climb onto his back.
After Smaug helped the brothers down, Wolfe jumped off the edge, making me scream. I clung to Wolfe as he used his claws to slow down our impact to the grown, then landed hard in a crouch.
"Don't ever do that again!" I yelled as I slid off his back, stumbling as my knees gave out. I was now on my hands and knees, gasping for air as my stomach returned to where it should be.
This just made Wolfe chuckle, which pissed me off. So, when he held out a hand to help me up, I smacked it away and slowly rose to my feet.
"Harlow, my sweet, please be upset with me," Wolfe said, but the look on his face and the fact that I could feel his emotions told me he wasn't sorry.
I crossed my arms and then raised my brow as I did my best to mimic Wolfe while puffing out my chest.
This made Kingston and Princely laugh, which earned them a death glare from Wolfe.
"Okay, I'm sorry for scaring you, sweetheart; I won't do it again," He said.
Then with a quick makeup kiss, we were on our way to find the entrance to the maze.
Thankfully it didn't take long now we made our way through the maze. I gaped at the never-ending, 15-foot-tall stone walls.
Wolfe used his fantastic sense of smell to follow Harley and Gustin's path, taking us through one twist and turn after another. After what felt like hours, we finally found the center of the maze, where we found a massive 20-foot wingless dragon that looked like it was made of stone, and in the center of the dragon's head was a fist blood-red diamond.
"So what now?" I asked, looking up at the massive beast.
Something up in the air caught my attention, and when I looked up, I realized it was Harley and her Pegasus. Where was Gustin?
I scanned and scanned until I spotted him climbing up the dragon's tail. From what I could see, Harley was trying to distract the dragon so Gustin could get the diamond.
Wolfe scoffed, then crossed his arms with an amused look, "The man still hasn't learned after all these years," he said, shaking his head, "He is going to get himself killed... damnit! I wanted to kill him myself!"He growled
I half expected him to stomp his foot... I swear... What the hell have I gotten myself into?
"Is there anything we can do to help?" I asked Wolfe, hoping he had a plan.
"Hmm," He hummed while scratching at the scruff on his chin, contemplating our next move.
"This is going to be a tough one," He finally says, "What they are doing would work, but I don't think they will get that diamond piece without killing the dragon. Not even my claws could dig it out; that stone looks a lot harder than normal."
This was all confirmed as we watched Gustin try to pry the diamond loose. So, there was no getting through this the easy way.
"Do you think that dragon is made out of magic?" I asked Kingston, "Something about it just doesn't look real."
"That's it!" Wolfe yelled, lifting me, then spun me around, making me squeal and giggle. "You're a genius, my sweet!"
"What do you mean?" I was so confused... and a little dizzy from the spinning.
"What I mean is the dragon is not a real dragon... It's a golem!" He said, running towards the dragon like a maniac, and like the idiot I was, I hurried after him as he ran under the dragon, then began searching for something.
"Ha! There it is!" He said, motioning me closer, then pointed at a fist-size opalescent gemstone. "All we have to do is break all those gems, which should defeat the dragon!"
Using his fantastic agility, I watched Wolfe climb up the dragon to grab the gem, then crush it with a fist squeeze. The dragon roared so loud that the ground shook, and razor-sharp stalactites fell from the top of the cave and exploded when gravity forced them to the floor.
Wolfe turned and dropped to the floor, then with a quick kiss, and he continued to search for the gemstones.
I called for Smaug, then flew up in the sky as I removed Scorpius from my belt. "Help Wolfe crush the stones, and I will look for more from above."
The scorpion became solid, then nodded, "Understood!"
Smaug and I flew up to where Gustin was still trying to free the diamond. Sighing, I decided to relay what Wolfe and I had figured out.
After telling Gustin and Harley about the Opals, we all worked together until the dragon crumbled.
Wolfe ran to the diamond, popping it free from its place on the dragon's forehead, then raised it with a smile.
We did it; we beat the dragon and obtained the first diamond piece... I wish Kyrah were here to see it.
We had been so distracted by the sight of the Blood Diamond that I didn't see Harley making her way toward us.
On the back of her pegasus, she swooped down and snatched the diamond right out of Wolfe's hands with an evil smile.
"Do you really think that I would let you take the credit for finding the first diamond piece? Umm, that would be a hell no, so I will taking this!" She taunted.
Then out of nowhere, a familiar-looking bird lady appeared out of thin air, then grabbed the diamond from Harley.
"I think it would be best that I hold on to this for now," The bird lady says, landing on the ground before me. "Hello, again, Harlow. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself the last time we met. My name is Mineveriss, the Goddess of Minevra, and I am also your Grandmother."
"Ummm, what? I'm completely lost here," I said, feeling very confused.
"I thought you said that I was your Granddaughter. How can she be your Granddaughter too?" Said Harley as she slid from the back of her winged horse.
The Goddess smiled, then blew sparkly sand all over Harley and me, making me gasp when memories flooded my brain. I groaned and felt nauseous as the memories poured into my brain. As the fog in my memories lifted, this is what I remembered.
When I was a child, I spent a lot of time next to my father, who trained me young to become the next ruler of the Kingdom. Apparently, my mother did not like this and began abusing me secretly and refusing to let me leave the castle unless my father said otherwise.
When I was ten, my father died from a sudden illness, and since I was too young to rule, my mother took my place until I turned 18, but she made sure that didn't happen and made and sold her soul to an evil sorceress to cast a spell that made people forget about me. When the Kingdom forgot about me, I disappeared… That is until I woke up in the 'womb" twenty years later.
I looked over at Harley, who I now remembered was just as cruel then as she is now. She hated that I was the older twin and that our father spent more time with me than he did with her.
I shook my head to clear the last of the fog, then turned to Mineveriss.
"How was I able to return?" I asked
"Making a person to was fated to live to disappear takes a lot of magical energy. After twenty years, the spell became diluted," Mineveriss explains, " So, I was able to pull you out of the void you were stuck in, then worked with your father to find a way for you girls to help save the Kingdom."
I looked over at Harley, who was looking at me with disgust. "Don't expect me to accept you as my sister. That is never going to happen," she says with her hands on her hips.
I just sighed, then turned back to the Goddess, who I remembered said that she was also my Grandmother.
Along this journey, I remember wondering if I had a family out there, and a home to return to when this mission was over, but I now know that I do have a family and a home, but my family doesn't even want me, all because I was the heir to the throne… If this is what having a family felt like, then I will go somewhere else and create a home of my own with Wolfe by my side.
I smiled over at Wolfe, who had been standing right behind me the whole time. Sensing my love for him through our bond, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, then placed a sweet kiss on top of my head.
"So, what happens now?" I asked Minereveiss
"Well, for now, I will take the diamond piece to keep it safe from Hellen. By now, she will have known that you have obtained the first piece and will come after you. Then next you will have to talk to your father, who is waiting for you at the base of the mountain.
With a goodbye hug to my Grandmother, I walked over to where Kingston and Princely were patiently waiting.
I smiled when Princely held out a familiar baby Wumpas cub that I had kind of forgotten about for a while. I cradled Chess in my arms, she was a gift to me from Kyrah, and now I will keep her forever.
"Well, guys, tomorrow we head down the mountain; apparently, my father is waiting for me there.
The next day passed in a blur as we made our way down the mountain, then returned to the small town of Wakasa to find my father set up in the center of the down.
I smiled when I spotted him, then wondered how he was still alive.
When Damien saw me, he smiled brightly, then pulled me into his arms as I cried. The last memory I have of my father was of him dead…
"How are you still alive?" I asked as I pulled away.
"I am a demi-god, it takes a lot more than poison to kill me, but when Hellen appeared, I was also sent into the void like you were, but I was only in there for ten years. After I was reborn, mother and I made a plan for you girls to try to work together to find the pieces of your mother's heart. The plan wasn't completely foolproof, but it seems like it's going well so far."
"Did you see Harley already?" I asked
Father nodded, "I did, but she just asked for the information for the next diamond piece, then left. She acts just like her mother, and it worries me… but hopefully, its not too late for her."
"So, where are we going to next?" I asked, taking a seat at one of the picnic tables.
Damien snapped his fingers, and a new map appeared, "Next, you will travel to the underwater region called Avonlea."
"Did you say underwater?" I asked
Damien nodded, "Yes, it's underwater, but don't worry, there is a spell you can use to help you breathe underwater; the spell is on the back."
After saying goodbye to my father, the four of us returned the way we came. When we came upon the crossroads, we said goodbye to Kingston and Princely.
"Thank you so much for your help. I hope we see each other again," I said as tears fell down my cheeks.
"Take care of yourself," says Princely
After removing the bonding spell with Kingston, Wolfe and I decided to return to Aadi to recuperate for a few weeks before we headed out to Avonlea.
Three weeks passed quickly, and today we were leaving for the underwater region; after returning to the crossroad, I turned to Wolfe then said, "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be, princess," He joked.
With a sigh, we stepped onto the path, heading into Avonlea.
~ The End ~
* I hope you enjoyed my story, Inception - Harlow's beginning. Stay tuned for book 2, which will be written from Harley's point of view