Page 77 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“ L ita… you won’t like this, but hear me out. The timing for you getting lightheaded seems to coincide with Rosa joining us. Now, now … stop giving me that look. I think that, until we know what’s going on, you need to keep your distance from her.” Grayson watched her eyes furrow angrily.

“Lita, I agree with him. It’s not forever. Just until we get to Elysia and figure out what’s going on.” Asher sifted his fingers through her hair soothingly. He could hear how much she hated this idea. He wouldn’t risk it. Not until he knew what was happening.

“How … how do we do that without causing a misunderstanding or hurting feelings?” Lita pouted and saw a small twitch in Grayson’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lita. You really won’t like this next part.” Grayson took in a breath of air and faced her angry orbs. “I’m releasing my barrier to the next strength. You know I have one that keeps the lower-tiered fairies away. Well, I also have a stronger level.”

“No no no! You can’t! What about Caspian?” Lita looked up at Asher and then back at Grayson frantically.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry. I won’t make the girth very wide.

They can still follow at the back of the line.

Caspian will understand that I’m just trying to protect you.

And it’s only temporary, Lita. You only have to put up with it for a couple of days at the most. Maybe only one day.

It just depends on how long the trip takes.

” Grayson watched her shoulders shrug. She’d relented.

She knew she had no choice but to give in anyway.

“It isn’t a real barrier. It's almost like a deterrent. It will make them feel too uncomfortable to be within a certain distance of me. And I plan to stay right next to you, which keeps them from you.”

Caspian watched as they came back into view. The closer they got, the more uncomfortable he felt.

“Ugh, what is this? I feel bad. My head is pounding.” Rosa touched her head and Caden pulled her into him, looking at her with worry.

“Come on, Rosa. We need to back up. This is a guardian’s boundary.” Caspian grabbed his things and walked to the far end of the encampment, Rosa and Caden following behind him.

“There, that’s better.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he do that, knowing it affects us?” Rosa asked, her lips slightly quivering.

Caspian smiled at her. “Don’t take it personally, Rosa. It affects me, too. This just means that Grayson’s worried. For him to go to this level means something’s wrong.” Caspian looked in Lita’s direction and frowned. He wanted to protect her.

“I hope Lita’s okay.” Rosa could see Lita looking at the two of them with sad eyes. It was obvious this wasn’t what she wanted.

Caspian, I’m sorry. Grayson was adamant about it. I’m okay, so don’t worry. Asher will be over to explain what’s going on. At least we can still talk, unlike with your barrier. Lita’s sweet voice echoed in his head.

He turned to Rosa. “Lita said she’s sorry. Grayson is protecting her the only way he knows how to right now. I don’t know what’s going on.” He caught sight of Asher approaching them. “I think we’re about to find out, though.”

Asher walked up to their new spot toward the back of the encampment.

He wasn’t sure what to think of Rosa now.

She was someone important to Caden, he knew that.

For now, they would keep Grayson’s concerns private unless they had proof of something.

He stopped just in front of them, and they looked at him curiously.

“It seems that something’s wrong with Lita.

We don’t know what yet, but we’ll find out.

Something or someone is draining her energy.

For now, out of an abundance of caution, Grayson has increased the level of his boundary to keep fairies away.

It’s one less group we have to worry about until we reach Elysia.

I hope you two bear no hard feelings. Our concern is for Lita.

I don’t know why, but she feels better when I’m with her.

I don’t know if I’m able to block the energy from leaving her or what.

We just don’t know. I know the boundary is intense for you two.

You’re welcome to continue following us at a bearable distance if you wish.

” Asher sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

Caden could see the worry flashing in his eyes.

Lita was under attack, and they couldn’t fight off the enemy.

He knew he was feeling helpless. He wanted to reassure him.

Lita was important to him, too. She was his luna.

“Do what you have to do to protect her. Don’t worry about us, Asher.

We’ll continue to follow you. If anything happens, we’ll be there to defend you guys. ”

“I could try putting a barrier around her. If something is siphoning from her, I should be able to prevent it.” Caspian’s eyes shone with determination.

“Grayson and I talked about it. The problem is you can’t hold the barrier on her long enough.

It’s best just to get her to Elysia as quickly as possible.

I hope there are answers there.” Asher hated not knowing what was happening.

He just wanted her safe. He didn’t care what he had to do.

He would do it. He nodded to Caden and Caspian, then gave a small smile to Rosa before turning back to go to Lita.

Asher stayed at Lita’s side. Well, more than just at her side.

He had a protective hand on her at all times.

At night, she slept in his arms, and Grayson laid down next to them.

Both men were in protective overdrive. Brad was also concerned.

He didn’t know what could be happening to her.

He agreed with Grayson that maybe it was one of Asher’s powers that was protecting her.

Brad wanted to try something when they embarked early the next morning. He wanted her to walk arm in arm with Grayson and see if she still got dizzy. He was curious and wanted to see if her guardian could also shield her from whatever was going on.

That was what they did. That morning, Asher walked behind Lita with a bit of a sour pout. He watched as Grayson gently held onto her, guiding her along the trail. Brad walked alongside Asher, and they all watched and waited to see what would happen.

Lita started to feel a bit tired as they approached the two-hour mark. The further they progressed, the more fatigued she became. She finally stopped walking and looked up at Grayson. “You aren’t working.” She gave him a sad smile and Asher was by her side in a flash.

“I need to get my fix in anyway. Bo was being awfully possessive back there.” Asher pulled her into his arms and leaned in, going straight for her lips, kissing her tenderly but passionately.

The surge Lita felt was instantaneous. She felt stronger when she was around him. When he was intimate with her, she actually got an energy boost from it. Instant rejuvenation and then some.

“Not that I like this happening to you, but what you were thinking … those are terms I can live by, you know. Having to be intimate with you almost hourly.” Asher kissed her forehead and looked at Grayson.

“She feels better already. She feels better than better right now.” He gave her a wink and she rolled her eyes at him.

“She feels stronger and instantly better when I kiss her. Maybe I have a super kissing ability.”

“Probably not, pup. Maybe it just allows your magic to connect better to her.” Grayson rolled his eyes. At least Asher was able to help her—however it was that he was.

“You feel good enough to keep moving?” Brad asked cautiously.

“I feel completely fine now. Even a bit more energized.” Lita watched him nod his head.

“Well then, I think it’s best that we keep moving. We’ll have to camp one more time before we make it to Elysia.” Brad motioned for the centaurs in the front to lead on.

After walking all day, they finally came to a clearing.

The dark green grass swayed in the breeze as the sun reflected off the top of the stems. They could hear the quiet voices of everyone talking among themselves as they walked through the grassy grove.

In the distance, Lita noticed a lake that was shimmering in the golden light.

“We’ll set up camp here,” Brad said, and everyone stopped. They heard the sounds of laughter and stretching as the men went about their tasks.

Lita looked out beyond the lake. In the vast distance, there was a towering mountain. Even though it was far away, you could see how steep it was. She stared at it, feeling drawn to it.

“Grayson, what’s over there?” Lita watched his eyes furrow and he frowned.

“That’s the Dragon Kingdom of the West. Their kingdom resides at the tippy top. It’s similar to Elysia in that demons cannot enter their realm. You’ll have to visit someday, unfortunately. Then you’ll understand my distaste for the conceited creatures.”

Lita giggled. He really did not like dragons.

Honestly, to be fair, there wasn’t much Grayson liked.

Everything was a pain. He complained about the dragon’s bad tempers, which was really the pot calling the kettle black.

Other fairies were trouble for him as well.

It really seemed like he only liked her and Asher, and only recently had he begun to like him.

She could never deny his devotion to her, something she would never be able to repay him or thank him enough for.

Even if it was his job, his feelings were genuine.

“Let’s go take a closer look at the lake,” Asher suggested as he tugged Lita along in his arms. He watched her glance behind her. She was checking on Caspian and Rosa—always caring about others.

“I’ll be right there, guys. I need to answer nature’s call.” Grayson gave them a crooked smile before heading to find a more secluded area.

Lita and Asher stood by the lake hand in hand while she leaned into his side.

It was very peaceful. The wind danced over the surface of the water, creating a mesmerizing, rippling effect that seemed to shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight.

Each wave was like a miniature mirror, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape.

They heard a loud splash, and the water in front of them rose up.

A horse of pitch darkness walked onto the shore near them, water dripping from its mane and tail.

Its eyes were fixated on Lita and Asher.

Then it began to shift, slowly taking on the form of a man that already had shorts on.

“Now, isn’t this a sight? The future queen and king of the fairies visiting my doorstep. What an honor. My name is Rowan.”

Lita looked at the man with dark, beady eyes and rich chocolate hair. Her eyes lit up. “A kelpie!”

“A kelpie?” Asher wasn’t sure what to think of the thing in front of him. Man, horse, or what?

The man chuckled. “I take it this is the first time you’ve met my kind?”

“A kelpie is another type of fairy. They are a high-class fairy. I think they’re considered a dark court fairy.” Lita furrowed her brows as she searched her memories.

“Very good, Princess.” Rowan was about to say something else when they heard an angry roar. Grayson was charging their way. Rowan just smirked and rolled his eyes. “Overprotective guardian, huh? Ouch, you have your guard up high, don’t you?”

Grayson stood at Lita’s side and glared at the kelpie. What was confusing him, though, was why he wasn’t running for cover in his presence.

Rowan noticed his perplexed look. “Oh, I can feel your barrier. You forget that I’m an upper-tier fairy, though.

I can endure something like this. Relax, I’m not going to hurt them.

They’re my kin. Honestly, I think the whole thing is a bit rude.

A bear has more rights to be near the royal family than I do?

Me? Rowan? A dark kelpie, member of the high court? Just absurd!”

Grayson scoffed. “And why do they call you a dark fairy? It isn’t because of all the good you do. Like I can trust them with a sadistic murderer.”

“I don’t kill my own kind.” Rowan sneered back at him. “But do I get a sense of pleasure from dragging people underwater and drowning them? Eh, guilty. It’s actually quite funny watching them struggle for air. Ah, good times.”

“Isn’t he an absolute pleasure?” Grayson growled and eyed the man.

“Okay, Grayson. Settle down. Rowan was just coming to say hi. Your horse is absolutely stunning. Really.” Lita tried to steer the conversation into a more positive light.

“Anytime you want a ride, I’ll take you.

” Rowan blushed slightly, looking at Lita.

This time, Asher was the one to growl. Rowan put his hands up and chuckled.

“Easy there. I can see that you’re being well protected, princess.

I meant no disrespect, prince. Well, I just wanted to introduce myself to the future rulers of Elysia.

I’ll be seeing you around. Maybe even in Elysia, if that’s where you’re headed.

We can teleport anywhere there is water.

It’s the fastest way to travel.” Rowan turned back into his horse and leaped into the water, disappearing completely, the rippling water the only evidence that he had been there.

“That was my first time meeting a kelpie.” Lita smiled up at Grayson, who snorted.

“I’d be happy if it was the last time, too.” Grayson grumbled as they walked back toward camp.

Lita giggled and looked at Asher. The two were smiling at their grumpy, overprotective friend.

Later that evening, Asher wrapped Lita in his arms as the stars began to pepper the sky.

Tomorrow, they would finally make it to Elysia.

Hopefully they would know what was happening with Lita and could help.

Even if they couldn’t help, if they could just point him in the right direction.

He felt her breathing become rhythmic as she fell asleep.

A small smile rested on his lips as he leaned forward and kissed her head. Tomorrow, they would get answers.