True North [True North series book 1/3]

I slept more deeply than I had in years. I don’t know what it was — the steady rocking of Sol’s movements, the darkness around me, or being betwixt Sol and Thoridor’s warm bodies — but I found myself completely relaxed.

I opened my heavy eyelids and tried to sit up, but Thoridor’s body weight held me down. I looked over my shoulder to find him sound asleep on top of me. It was almost endearing, his face devoid of its usual hostility. The moons were shining brightly, and I wondered what they’d look like during the Sorael. Three red moons. That was probably quite the sight.

I squinted in a futile attempt to make out my surroundings. I could vaguely see the outlines of trees around me, but everywhere else was just snow and ice. I felt vulnerable, as we were clearly visible from the sky. Everything was quiet though, no screeching of Ku’lans above us, no distant roaring of beasts. I wondered if Sol knew where to go, with Thoridor being asleep.

But clearly he did, because a few moments later, he stopped running. Before us, nestled in the valley and concealed by the surrounding mountains, lay the largest building I had ever seen. It was bigger than the Aquatic Palace, much, much bigger.

The palace itself appeared large enough to accommodate an entire city, but there were still little houses built around it.

“Pretty nice, right?” Thoridor rasped in my ear, making me jump.

“I didn’t know you were awake,” I mumbled, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Sol can’t see the valley,” Thoridor said, talking over me. “You’ll need to guide it down.”

“Why can’t it see the valley?” I asked, mindlessly petting Sol’s head.

“It’s been charmed,” Thoridor replied, “it’s hidden from all beasts. So my people are safe.” I raised my eyebrows.

“That’s nice,” I mumbled, “who did that?”

“I did,” Thoridor said plainly.

“You know how to charm?” I asked, surprised.

“I do,” Thoridor confirmed, “now if you don’t mind, I’d like to go to my chambers.”

I looked at him. “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“Guide it down,” Thoridor repeated matter-of-factly.

“How?” I asked, helplessly.

“Figure it out,” Thoridor said, “you made it surrender to you once. Do it again.”

I frowned, and wanted to ask more questions, but didn’t want to grant Thoridor the satisfaction of my confusion. I reached out and petted Sol’s head.

“Go on,” I whispered.

Sol didn’t move a muscle. I grimaced, and dug my heels into its sides, like Thoridor had before. Again — to no avail. I heard Thoridor chuckle behind me, making my blood boil. I clenched my hands into fists and took a deep, steadying breath.

And then I yipped. I yipped, urging the Nioph to start walking, and then I willed it listen to me. I willed it to follow my unspoken directions — jump down to your left, walk a few steps, big jump forward, onto the plateau — all mere thoughts in my head, but Sol listened.

Pride took over as I effortlessly guided Sol down the rocky, snowy mountain side. I felt like we were one — like I was its eyes, and brain, and Sol was my body. I guided it through the valley, and halted right before we got to the outskirts of the center. Then, I looked over my shoulder, and met Thoridor’s eyes.

“Now what?” I asked, trying not to sound too proud.

“Now you guide it to the palace, Serin,” Thoridor said, and for some reason, hearing him say my name made my insides stir a little.

I guided Sol through the winding little streets around the palace, until we reached its gates.

Thoridor slid off Sol’s back, and held out his hands.

“What, you’re not going to drag me off by the back of my coat this time?” I asked cynically.

“I will if you don’t get down right now,” Thoridor growled.

I reached down and grabbed onto his outstretched hands, mapping out the feel of them beneath the leather of his gloves. They didn’t feel like claws. I looked up at Thoridor, only to find him staring back at me. Then, he pulled me down, catching me in his arms right before I hit the ground.

“What’s with the gloves?” I asked, my face mere finger widths from his as he held me there.

“Have you noticed the snow and ice around you?” Thoridor scoffed, “it’s cold.”

I narrowed my eyes as I held his gaze, showing him I didn’t believe his weak lie.

“Serin!” I heard a voice call out behind me, and I whipped my head around.

Warrian. I wanted to run to him, but Thoridor tightened his grip around my hand. I looked back at him, and saw the whites of his eyes had turned black again.

“Stop it,” I hissed below my breath, and stepped closer to him. “Is that your beast again? What are you doing, Sire?”

Thoridor’s eyes seemed to swirl with black and silver as he focussed them on me.

“Let go of me,” I said, only to find Thoridor’s grip on me tighten.

I glanced back at Warrian, who had dismounted Morai’s Nioph, and was now standing a few steps away, watching Thoridor and me like a hawk. I looked back at Thoridor, who still seemed to be on the verge of shifting into his beast form.

“What’s making you upset?” I asked, trying to diffuse the situation, “is it Warrian?”

Thoridor let out a rumble so low it vibrated through my chest.

“I thought he was your friend,” I said, slowly inching toward Sol, who seemed to have picked up on the tension, and was now at my side, brushing its snout against my head soothingly.

Thoridor clenched his fists, and relaxed them again. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, flaring his nostrils.

“Phaedra, please show Serin to her chamber,” he said, his voice barely audible. “And let me know when Myrtha arrives.” Then he turned around, and stormed off.