Page 10 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

T he forest loomed darker than ever as they made their way through the boughs of spruce trees and fallen logs. Selenia clutched her bundle tighter against her chest, trying to keep it from snagging on the straggly underbrush. The scent of damp earth and pine needles filled her nose.

“She seriously wants clothes?” Sion asked, holding back a large branch so Selenia could pass through.

“She does. That's where my hat went on our last journey together.” Selenia felt her face flush as she recalled that fateful trip in which the Murcurial unlocked her bond with Sion. The memory of heat and desire blossoming within her, the need she felt for him, rushed back. Those feelings still lingered, but having him hold her at night under the furs eased the aching in her heart.

“Well, hopefully we can find her soon. I'm nervous about being unprotected and this far away from the horses. That witch might be locked up, but there are still dangerous animals and other creatures lurking in this land. And if Renya's mother isn't lying, there's some unknown force out there that's responsible for the lack of magic.”

“Hush. It'll be worth it, won't it? To figure out how to fix the bonds? Maybe the Murcurial will have insight into the fading, and we'll be able to finally fix things and live normal, happy lives.”

He looked at her wistfully, his gaze making her feel exposed. “That would be everything I've ever longed for, Little Fox.” He leaned in, and she closed her eyes, eager to feel his lips on hers. His warm breath caressed her face, and then his mouth brushed hers gently. But it was too quick, and he pulled away much too soon for her liking. She sighed, still savoring their closeness although always yearning for more.

They continued deeper into the forest, searching for the elusive Murcurial. After an hour, Selenia started to get nervous. It had never taken this long to find her before.

Sion seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Are we near where you saw her previously?”

Selenia studied the area. It all looked the exact same, with no distinguishing features. “I'm not sure, it was almost like the Murcurial was waiting for me before. Like she knew what I wanted. She foresaw our meeting, so perhaps she knew where and when to appear? But...she didn't mention meeting me a third time.” Selenia chewed on the inside of her cheek, suddenly unsure. The Murcurial loved to play games, and it made sense to Selenia that if they were to see each other again, surely, she would have teased that information during their last meeting? Perhaps this was the wrong path, and they shouldn't seek her out again?

“Sion, I—”

“Shhh, quick Selenia, get down!”

A loud, fierce roar shook the forest and vibrated through the trees. Panic welled up inside of Selenia, and she crouched down low, trying hard not to yell out in fear.

Sion covered her body with his. He pulled out his sword, but otherwise remained incredibly still. The gut-wrenching bellowing still echoed throughout the forest, and Selenia longed to put her hands over her ears to drown out the horrifying sound.

She knew exactly what they were without having to see them.

Dragons.

She could feel her heart racing in her chest, and could feel Sion's ragged breathing against her neck. “Hush,” he reminded her, and she nodded.

Selenia turned her head slightly, and circling, just above the tall trees, were three dragons. She instantly recognized them as Cressida's beloved pets. The maroon dragon with slashes on his underbelly seemed to be leading the other two, and he was making loud, bellowing noises. He dipped below the tree line, and Selenia began shaking so hard her teeth practically chattered. Sion buried his face into her neck, and then threw his fur cloak over them both, hopefully shielding them from the dragon's view.

Selenia had no idea how long they lay there underneath Sion's cloak, but by the time the rustling and flapping of the dragon's wings stopped, she was covered in sweat, not just from being in Sion's warm embrace, but out of fear. They waited at least another half hour before Sion finally pulled the cloak out from over them. The forest air hit the dampness of her brow and she could feel moisture on her cheeks. At some point, silent tears had squeezed out of her shut eyes as she lay there in fear.

Sion stood up, then held out a hand, pulling her onto her feet. Her legs shook, and she almost lost her balance. Sion pulled her in closer, supporting her weight against him.

“Shush, my darling. It's okay. The danger has passed. You're safe.”

Selenia's chin trembled, and another wave of tears burst forth. “Oh Sion, you were right. This was too dangerous. I was worried that we might lose each other.”

“It's okay, sweet one. We're both okay.” Sion sank to his knees on the forest floor and then pulled her onto his lap. “Everything is alright.”

She wiped her eyes. “But it might not have ended up that way. I was being selfish, secretly hoping she'd unlock your bond. I feel so foolish now. It's better to have a small part of you than none at all.”

Sion cupped her cheeks in his large hands, tilting her face up so she could look into his caramel-colored eyes. “You already have every part of me. Every single muscle in my body is attuned to you. I wake up, and I think of you. I go to sleep, and you haunt my dreams. My darling girl, you possess me in every single fiber of my being. My life begins and ends with you.”

Her breathing slowly returned to normal, and her tears stopped.

“Let's go back to the horses,” she said, picking up the pile of clothes where she had dropped them. “This was a foolish errand.”

He nodded and sheathed his sword, then took the bundle of clothing from her hands. Slowly and silently, they made their way back through the forest. But every sound, every cracking branch made them pause.

“What do you think they were looking for?” she whispered.

“Her.”

Selenia knew who he meant immediately.

“The dark red one is bound to her. They're trying to find her.”

“Sion, that means they could be tracking her. They could even track her to the lodge!”

“You're right, Selenia. We need to turn around and tell the others. We are unprepared for an attack like this.”

The pair restarted their journey through the dark woods, more urgently than before. But then, something caught Selenia's eye.

It was her old cloak. The one she had given to the Murcurial during their first encounter.

“Sion!” she pointed. “That's hers—she must be around here.” Selenia moved in to investigate the fallen cape and noticed that it was covered with a slimy green residue. Sion nudged her, and she saw a trail of the thick substance. Gulping, Selenia moved forward, but Sion shoved her behind him and followed the trail. After just a couple of minutes, the trail stopped in front of a tiny cave. It was so small that Sion couldn't traverse the opening. Selenia dropped to her knees, but Sion put his hand on her shoulder.

“You can't, Selenia.”

“I have to know. I need to know.”

He looked at her face and then nodded. He pulled out the dagger in his boot and tried to hand it to her, but she pulled out her own from inside her bodice.

“That's my princess,” he said approvingly. “Be careful.”

She nodded and crawled farther inside the cave. Instantly, the smell of death and decay hit her nostrils, and she knew she was in the right place. Ahead of her there was a tiny pinprick of light, and she inched towards it, the cave walls nearly flattening her completely. She crawled for several more minutes, the light getting brighter. She could tell that the tunnel opened up to a bigger space, and that knowledge was the only thing that kept her from hyperventilating in the enclosed tunnel. Every few feet she encountered more and more pools of mossy green sludge, which she was starting to suspect was blood.

Selenia finally reached the innermost part of the cave. It wasn't a large area, but she could tell that it had been occupied for a long time. Woven baskets made from grasses rested above stacks of stones, placed with as much care as fine China in an ornamental cabinet. Several bundles were lined along the wall, wrapped in animal hide and tied together with plant material. In the farthest corner, there was a large pile of furs, and when Selenia looked closer, her stomach lurched.

There, drawn up into herself and laying limply on the bed of furs, was the Murcurial. She was on her side, unmoving. There was a large puddle of sticky green blood underneath her, and Selenia could see an open wound on her stomach. The Murcurial's leg was torn down to the muscle, and it took everything in Selenia's power to fight the urge to empty her stomach and vomit on the floor of the cave.

Selenia said a silent prayer to the Gods, and turned to leave, but then she saw the slightest movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned back towards the creature and saw that she had moved one of her fingers. Selenia crouched beside the Murcurial, pushing her carefully onto her back as if she were a newborn babe. The prankster looked up at Selenia, her eyes fluttering. A raspy cough came from her throat, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

“Selenia...Snowden,” she gasped, her voice thin and breathy. “I—I didn't know...we would meet...again. I...blocked out...all...circumstances...surrounding my own death. Too much—”

“Rest, and don't trouble yourself further,” Selenia whispered, kneeling by her face.

“One shouldn't...know too much about their own...future...”

“What happened to you?”

The Murcurial coughed again, and more blood came forth. “Dragon.”

Ah yes. Selenia looked at the gashes and torn flesh. Certainly, the work of dragons. Another shudder hit her, as she thought of how close she and Sion were to the same fate.

“Can I—help in any way?”

A whimper came from the creature, and a loud intake of breath.

“Pain it is, to die. That knife you carry...I can see you ending it for me.”

Selenia gulped, knowing what she was asking for.

“It would be...merciful...” the Murcurial continued.

Selenia nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. She didn't exactly feel friendly towards the creature, but she had seen enough suffering in this world to know that if she had the chance to end some of it, she should. She pulled the knife out of her dress and said another prayer.

“Wait—”

Selenia stopped, and the creature reached out with boney fingers. Selenia gripped them, disgust gripping her stomach at the slimy feeling of her hand. But she held on, burying her own discomfort.

“You...can...fix...the magic.”

“Me?” Selenia asked, disbelief in her tone.

“Not just you—but—the others too. It...requires a...payment. Prove…yourself…worthy. All must go.”

Selenia nodded. “Do you know anything else?”

She coughed again. “When...you are at the end...you are just beginning.”

“Thank you,” Selenia said.

“Now...you owe me a...debt. Aim...true...Selenia...Snowden...”

Selenia continued to hold the Murcurial's hand, and with her free arm, she brought her knife down where she thought the creature's heart would be. The Murcurial's eyes widened, and she clasped Selenia's fingers harder for a few seconds, but then her grip became limp.

Selenia let out a gasp, rocking on her heels. She sat there unmoving for several minutes, her mind somewhat blank as she stared. Finally, with silent tears running down her throat, Selenia crossed the Murcurial's arms over her body.

Even though Cressida was a prisoner in the Snow Lands, the aftermath of her deeds continued.

“Selenia?” Sion's voice echoed down the passage and into the chamber.

“I'm coming,” she yelled back, wiping the tears from her eyes. She looked around the cave, the place where the Murcurial had lived her sad life. Selenia's sun hat rested on one of the stacks of rocks, right near the creature's bed of furs. It was in a place of honor in the cave, and despite the haggard appearance of the Murcurial, the hat was in pristine condition. Fighting back another sob, she placed it on top of the Murcurial, and then undid the clasp on her own cape. Selenia laid the fine wool garment over the body, tucking it carefully around the creature, trying to cover the blood. With a final prayer, she turned and began to crawl out of the cave.