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Rivern

C old. A chill so deep in my heart that it snaps instantly. “ARGH,” I shout at the sky.

A white mass swoops towards me and Mage, and my trusted stallion backs up. “Whoa, boy.”

“The bond?” the question comes through.

“Yes, fuck. Something’s wrong. This is not like the usual burn—fuck. It’s like—damn—it’s like they are gone, but they aren’t. I would know if they were dead.” I would do anything to get that original burn back. I do not like this new icy fissure that has wedged its way into my heart. Like they are still there but also completely lost to me.

“The mountain ridge is the only thing standing in our way. Yours more than mine.” The broad-winged bird lilts at the end.

“Yeah, yeah, some of us have wings. I get it,” I growl out and rub at the pain.

I’m tired and hungry, and my legs are chafed. Fucking chaffed. Fae do not get chafing, but I haven’t travelled for twelve rotations straight before.

For the longest time, I was forbidden from exploring this far south until Mother found out about my bond, ordering me to destroy it by any means necessary.

Now, with my heart growing numb to my bond, I grow curious as to what I might find at the other end of this tether, strangling the sight of my duties as Prince of Terra.

Death would be a better sentence than the frozen abyss layering my internal organs right now. What must be going on for my bonded to react this way? It is a puzzle that begs me to fill in all its missing pieces, and I am a sucker for a mystery.

I am the explorer in the family, and as the youngest child—a son, at that—I got the choice of becoming a guardian or becoming a…guardian. So, when the opportunity for scouting missions came up, I jumped at the chance. I want to understand the world, discover new lands. I want more for my people.

Mother and my sister believe we have everything we need in Terra, but if the events of the last few rotations are anything to go by, that is becoming less and less true .

Adjusting my seat on Mage, I notice my breathing becoming laboured.

“Your breathing is weird,” that chirping voice states the obvious.

“I’m aware. We ride until we hit the shoreline. Along the mountains, we will find the entrance to the caves. It should lead us to the temple.”

“Do you think we will find your bond in Haven? The stories your ancestors told. The humans and shifters?”

If I didn’t know Solen’s mind so well, I would think he is scared about our trek into the undetermined territory of Haven. Once ruled by my people, we were run out by the humans and shifters on the boats. They supposedly possessed great magic—so great that it left us fleeing through the tunnels.

“That is why we will use the tunnels. And why we have not come with an army. War is not on the agenda. Finding this damned pain in my arse is.” I continue to rub at the icicle tether at my chest. “What are you scared of? The big bad shifters, old friend?”

Solen squarks and flies ahead, ignoring my question, and I give myself a mental pat on the back.

As the bond feeling deepens, the thick tree line starts to give way to rushing ocean waters.

We are close. I can feel it. I can feel her .

I wasn’t sure before. I had a knowing, but I needed to bridge the distance to gather more knowledge about this connection I share.

“Scout the beach ahead. Make sure it’s clear up to the cave entrance,” I direct Solen.

“Of course, Your Royal Rivern-ness. ”

“I love you, too, crazy bird.” A smooth rumble comes through and lights the edges of my heart, but it’s not enough to chill the arctic lake that has burrowed its way into the middle.

I just hope we get this over with quickly so I can return to Terra and my soon-to-be bride.