Page 3

"When do I have to leave?"

My father sighed. "The summons from the Sacrarium arrived this morning. We're expected there in three days."

Three days. Seventy-two hours to say goodbye to everything I'd ever known. To prepare myself for a life I'd never wanted.

The next few days passed in a blur. I packed what few belongings I wanted to take with me, said tearful goodbyes to friends, and tried to memorize every detail of the only home I'd ever known. Through it all, a simmering anger burned in my chest, fueled by fear and resentment.

Before I knew it, we were standing before the imposing gates of the Sacrarium. The ancient structure loomed over us, its stone walls seeming to pulse with an energy I couldn't explain. My father squeezed my hand reassuringly as solemn-faced attendants led inside us.

The binding ceremony was a haze of unfamiliar rituals and words I didn't understand. And then, suddenly, he was there. Thornix. My mate.

He was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Tall and lithe, with skin that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. His hair was a wild tangle of vines and leaves, and his eyes, god, his eyes. They were pools of liquid moonlight, ancient and knowing.

He was beautiful. And terrifying.

As we stood side by side, his hand wrapped around mine in a grip that was both firm and gentle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal. This wasn't how my life was supposed to go. I was supposed to change things, to find a way for humans to live freely. Instead, I was being bound to a creature I didn't know or understand.

The ceremony ended, and they ushered out of the Sacrarium. My father hugged me tightly, whispering words of encouragement that I barely heard. And then, just like that, I was alone with Thornix.

He led me towards the edge of the forest, his movements graceful and silent. I stumbled along behind him, already feeling out of place.

"We have a long journey ahead," he said, his voice low and musical. "Are you prepared to travel?"

I wanted to scream. I needed to tell him I wasn't ready for this. Instead, I just nodded stiffly.

As we entered the forest, the world came alive. Trees whispered secrets to each other in the wind, and creatures darted through the underbrush, their eyes gleaming in the fading light. It was both beautiful and terrifying, a world so different from the one I knew.

We walked for what felt like hours, with the forest growing denser and wilder with each step. I was exhausted, my feet aching in shoes that weren't made for this kind of terrain. But I refused to complain, to show any weakness in front of this creature who was now, apparently, my mate.

Finally, Thornix stopped in a small clearing. "We'll rest here for the night," he said, gesturing to a massive tree that seemed to pulse with life.

I stared at him blankly. "Rest where? There's nothing here but trees."

A flicker of amusement passed over his face. "This is my home," he said, placing a hand on the trunk of the enormous tree. As if in response to his touch, part of the bark seemed to melt away, revealing an opening.

I peered inside, my eyes widening in disbelief. The interior of the tree was hollow, forming a cozy living space with furniture that seemed to grow organically from the walls. It was beautiful, in an alien sort of way.

"You live inside a tree?" I asked, unable to keep the skepticism from my voice.

Thornix's expression hardened slightly. "This is not just a tree. It is a living, breathing part of the forest. And now, it is your home as well."

I bristled at his tone. "I already have a home. Back in the terramares. Where things make sense."

"The terramares are no longer your home," he said, his voice maddeningly calm. "This is where you belong now."

"I don't belong here!" I snapped, my frustration finally boiling over. "I don't belong with you! This whole thing is ridiculous. I'm a human, not some... some forest sprite!"

Thornix's eyes flashed dangerously. "You are my mate," he said, his voice low and intense. "Chosen by forces beyond your understanding. You would do well to accept that."

"Or what?" I challenged, stepping closer to him. "You'll turn me into a tree?"

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hurt in his otherworldly eyes. But it was gone so quickly, I must have imagined it.

"You are tired and overwhelmed," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Rest. Things will seem clearer in the morning."

With that, he turned and walked into the tree-home, leaving me standing alone in the clearing. I wanted to scream, to run back the way we'd come. But I knew it was pointless. I was deep in unfamiliar territory, with no idea how to get back to the world I knew.

Reluctantly, I followed Thornix inside. The interior was warm and surprisingly comfortable, with soft moss covering the floor and bioluminescent fungi providing a gentle light. Despite my exhaustion, sleep eluded me as I lay on a bed that seemed to have grown straight out of the tree's flesh.