Page 32

Chapter Twenty-One

Anaki

E lena’s scent had completely flooded every corner of the nest, overwhelming it with her essence.

My dragon was deliriously content, thrashing his tail within me with an intense satisfaction that our home was drenched with her scent.

It filled us with a profound comfort and a fierce, unyielding calm, a promise carved in stone that she would always be with us, despite the lingering fear of what I had yet to reveal.

My dragon believed in nothing else. It was final. She was ours even if there was no mark on her body.

After I told her last night about where I had grown up and how fascinated she was because of it, I thought taking her to a more magical place, other than my cave, was in order. The fae had brought a little Elysian to a hidden part of the forest where they had colonized and kept to themselves.

It would be the perfect place to take her, to show her a hint of the magic from where I had come.

While the forest that Locke owns had a dappling of moss, vines and trees that do not belong on Earth that the fae had placed for him in thanks, the area the fae had claimed is completely of their home realm.

Elena appeared to be a new woman this morning.

Her smile was playful, and yesterday's awful memories were forgotten, thank the goddess.

I prepared her breakfast while she bathed in a heated pool in the back of the cave, so she could have her privacy.

I felt it was important that she could have time to herself, even if it was hard for me to step away from her.

She needed time, even though the need to claim her grew by the second.

My tail, scales and ears had finally retreated into my body while I slept.

I didn’t have control over them yesterday, and I was glad Elena didn’t ask about it.

I would have told her a white lie anyway, too embarrassed to tell her it was because my dragon was agitated.

He wanted to have hardened scales, claws, and other ways to protect her if anything physical happened to her when she was in such a vulnerable state.

I knew nothing would happen to her, not in the middle of the club with so many members there to protect the weak, but my dragon didn’t understand that. This environment was still too new to him, and he didn’t trust it.

Later, she changed into another dress, which she apparently had a lot of. She appeared to have embraced a renewed sense of self when she appeared at the entrance of my cooking area while I finished our breakfast. The burden she carried was lifted, and even a playful smile had taken over her.

It was my turn to tell her what I hid from her, but I didn’t have the strength. Not yet.

Coward.

As always, she was stunning, but I knew she would feel a chill since she was so used to the warmer climate.

She wore the only sweater she owned. I already anticipated this, and just last night when she lay in my arms while she slept, I had already placed additional orders for more clothing, cozy blankets, and warm jackets These essentials would arrive within the next day or two, ensuring she would soon be enveloped in warmth and comfort.

I wouldn’t have my mate going without, but where we were going, she would do well with what she wore. She may even take off that sweater.

I kept her close to my side as we walked, pardoning myself, as I scrolled through the group text messages from Bear and Nadia. Elena took in the surrounding scenes as we traveled down the pathway and seemed to enjoy the silence.

I’m not privy to a lot of information from the inner circle, but when it involved Bear and Nadia, I was told what was necessary. I was ultimately surprised when some of the members were leaving, as well as Tajah and Beretta.

The mansion that held Duke Idris, once owned by Delilah’s ex-husband Sean, was filled with women, and more were coming in by the day. Why, we weren’t exactly sure, but they had good guesses.

More trafficking.

I wanted to groan in irritation. I fucking hated Idris and had really hoped he had died in the fire, when Grim and Journey had the standoff with him at the warehouse a while ago, but here we were.

I worried for Nadia to go back into that hellhole; I wanted her to stay here, but with Bear and Nadia’s bond and it being so fresh, they couldn’t leave each other. I hoped her mind would stay straight and that she could handle the situation carefully.

I worried for her, like a sister obviously, and I knew Bear would take care of them. A lot of the fae would be with them as well, including Nadia’s parents. It was to be an undercover mission. No blood spilled, just a quick in and out and bring the women back here, but is it ever so simple?

Not once had it ever been simple. Plans never go accordingly.

I pressed my lips tightly together and reluctantly slid my phone back into my pocket.

The urge to safeguard those I loved tugged at me, yet I was painfully aware that joining the mission might not be the best choice.

Without Elena by my side, I felt incomplete, and she was still human, so her pain would inevitably return.

I couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering.

Yet, staying back gnawed at me; if I went, my strength might falter, rendering me ineffective in their efforts.

I was torn between the desire to help and the fear of becoming a burden.

Elena squeezed my hand as we approached the towering trees with dark blue bark, their immense presence casting long shadows on the forest floor.

The thick vines coiled around the trunks like serpents, adorned with clusters of tiny yellow berries that glowed softly in the dappled sunlight.

The air grew increasingly sweet, a heady blend of honeysuckles, lavender, and ripe strawberries, as we drew nearer to an enchanting area where the vines draped like a veil, concealing a hidden world I eagerly planned to share with her.

Members haven’t been this far out into the forest. Locke being out in the wild was a deterrent. Bear and I had been the only ones who have been out here, we could handle ourselves.

I take that back. Bear could handle it. If I got ripped to shreds, I didn’t care.

“This is different,” Elena said, ripping me from my thoughts.

I pulled her hand up to mine and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Her face heated, and she looked away.

“I wanted to show you something. You were so interested in last night's story about the Elysian Realm, I thought I would let you see a piece of it.”

She raised her eyebrow and came closer as I touched the vines.

I parted them slightly and paused. “I’ve only been here a few times.

Last time I was here, they were only halfway done building.

I’m not sure what it's like now. They work quickly. Especially now that they can work without fear, and it isn’t as cold. ”

“Without fear?”

My shoulders slumped. “Yes, the fae were hidden away in Russia for a long time. They came to Earth for refuge. The Elysian Realm is full of politics. The dragons just stayed away from most of it. We were powerful despite our low numbers, and magic had little effect on us.”

Elena frowned and squeezed my hand again.

“Fae, certain shifters, even witches, sought power, but that is a story for a different time. These fae, the spring and summer, found Earth and hid for many years, until Locke offered protection to them recently. There is a dome, that Tajah created with her magic, to conceal the territory so no humans flying above can see it.”

Elena’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing. Is Tajah’s magic unlimited?”

I chuckled. “Definitely not. She is powerful, and more so with Bram. He is an ancient, powerful warlock who lives here. He is weak now, but he continues to teach her. I don’t know the logistics.

Tajah can hold so many rune papers, or whatever.

You would have to ask them. I know nothing of magic.

Just the awesomeness of this body.” I ran my hand down my chest.

Elena snorted, shrugged her shoulders, and stepped closer to me. “Well, aren’t you going to let me in?”

I bobbed my head back and forth. “Sure, give me your sweater first.”

She obeyed, but a questioning face lingered. “You will not need it. Besides, I enjoy gazing at your backside without anything hiding it.”

Elena swatted my butt, and I held open the vines for her. She instantly gasped as I pulled her inside the otherworldly domain living inside the forest.

In place of the typically overcast sky that blankets the forest of the Pacific Northwest, the area was bright, bathed in a radiant light that transformed the area.

Tiny particles of dust drifted lazily before us, each particle shimmering with golden- and silvery-like glitter, creating a dazzling dance in the air.

The bark of the trees, usually cloaked in somber shades, displayed a palette of light grays and whites, mirroring the brilliance of the foliage above.

Leaves, tinged with hues of gold, light greens, and delicate pink, caught the sunlight and glowed with an ethereal beauty, casting a spell of vibrant enchantment over the forest.

The grass, thick like moss, sank under us with each step. For once, Elena was silent as she stepped forward, taking in the sight. Once we stepped off the moss and onto the dirt path, rows of homes guided our way.

Twisted branches, vines and trees made up the homes. It didn’t appear that anyone had used a hammer or cut any wood. It was all nature that had created the small community.

“Huh.” I scratched my head. “They made a little town so damn fast. Kinda neat.”

Elena’s mouth hung open, with her arms flopped at her sides. “What do you mean, kind of neat? This is incredible! How long did it take to make a place like this?”