Page 54 of Wrath Of Suns And Shadows (The Osparia #2)
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ace
A s the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the land, I stood at the edge of the forest with Luana. We had ventured on these nighttime walks together for weeks now, and my heart still skipped in my chest every time.
I took her hand in mine, our fingers interlocking with a gentle, unspoken understanding. We had never been to this part of the forest before. It was like a living dream. The trees swayed gently, and the flowers emitted a soft, enchanting fragrance.
We followed a path adorned with luminescent mushrooms, their soft glow guiding our way deeper into the heart of this little oasis tucked into the valleys of the western mountain range of Woodhaven. We had flown here earlier today and had a picnic together, but we had never been this far before.
As we walked, we exchanged smiles and stolen glances. The connection between us was palpable, like an invisible thread weaving our hearts together. Birds sang melodious songs above us, and fireflies danced around us, creating a breathtaking natural light show.
We eventually came upon a hidden clearing bathed in the soft light of the fireflies.
In the center, a sparkling waterfall cascaded from the heights of the mountains, its water shimmering with a hint of the sun’s last rays of light.
We approached it, and I couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and touch the cool waters.
With a tender smile, Luana stepped closer to me, her eyes locked with mine.
We moved in unison, drawn by the irresistible force that had been burning between us from the moment we’d met.
She moved into my chest and invited my hands to wrap around her waist. Her eyes met mine, and she glanced at my lips before meeting them again.
She leaned forward the same moment footsteps approached, and we pulled apart suddenly when a familiar voice called to us.
“Ace, we have to go,” Atreya commanded as we turned to face her. I did not know how she had gotten here. I didn’t see any of the other Sky Elves with her, but she seemed disheveled and on edge.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I signed.
“We’re saving Emelyn,” she responded plainly.
“When?” I signed firmly, ready to do whatever it took to get her back.
“Now.”
“What . . . ? How?”
“We’re going to distract Ember long enough to Hollow her out,” she explained, but she was keeping something from me.
“Why now? What changed? You were the one that wanted to keep her there until Crow could find out why she was wanted alive.”
“She’s no longer safe,” she said, and my wings flared as she continued.
“Crow has been keeping close eyes on her the entire time she’s been in Ember.
She was safe until last night. For weeks now, they had been using her for royal entertainment, and she emerged victorious every time.
However, last night, she killed her opponent, who was a Sky Elf that refused to fight.
Crow said that he believes something took control of her, but we don’t know how or why.
There’s no time, Ace. We’re moving tonight. ”
“How are you going to distract an entire empire?” Luana asked.
“This plan has been in motion for the last few weeks. There will be a group of Woodhaven soldiers attacking the gates while we Hollow her out of there.” Shadows exploded from behind her and Crow appeared.
Now I knew how she’d gotten here. Or at least, I thought I knew .
. . This man of shadows wasn’t Crow; he was different.
His stature was slightly off. But I didn’t have time to question it as Atreya ushered Luana and me into his darkness.
We pushed through his shadows and ended up back at the rebellion camp. Nausea swirled through me, but I had to swallow it down. Baron and Shay were on sight, already commanding in Atreya’s place.
Luana walked out of Crow’s shadows. I grabbed her arm gently and pulled her into me. I palmed her cheeks and rested my forehead against hers for a moment. I felt a surge of emotions that belonged to both of us—fear, longing, desperation.
Atreya’s voice sliced through the fragile peace, a stark reminder of our grim reality. “Come on, Ace, we must go now,” she urged, her tone brooking no argument. It never did.
Reluctantly, I released Luana, readying to Hollow with Atreya again, but Luana gripped my arm and pulled me back to her.
She palmed my cheek and kissed me gently.
She opened for me, and her tongue danced with mine for a moment.
But as quickly as it began, she pulled back, leaving a trail of fire along my skin as I caught my breath.
“I’m sorry. I just needed that before you left,” she signed, unable to use her words as she looked at me with those hazel, golden-flecked eyes.
“Come back home to me,” she murmured.
“I will, I promise,” I signed as I backed away from her and let the shadows swallow me, with her being the last thing I saw before I was in the Hollow's darkness.