Five Elements

Chapter 50

“You said you would escape during the day.”

Nalani stopped at the door and began to feel suspicious that Karyan did not try to prevent her. When she turned her head to look at him, the alpha couldn’t contain his laughter any longer.

“Nalani....” Karyan’s laughter finally stopped. “I was just joking. No, there won’t be any blood offering at the altar. You will just sit in front of us with your beautiful face. Become the representative of our goddess."

Nalani’s face flushed. No way. Karyan said she was beautiful?

“I know you’re very upset about setting up the festival. Well, wait a minute.” Karyan instantly transformed into a wolf. “Come here,” he said in Nalani’s mind. “Get on my back.”

“What? Why?” Nalani looked confused.

“Get on,” Karyan urged. He bent his hind legs to allow Nalani to climb easily. When he felt her body on his back, he straightened up on all fours. “Hold on!” he said.

The alpha jumped out of the window. His body floated lightly in the air, while Nalani’s arms wrapped around his neck. He landed easily on the ground, then carrying Nalani on his back he sprinted into the forest.

They sped through the trees. The wind passed Nalani’s ears. To their left and right the trees were a blur of green and brown. Karyan ran like the wind. On the back of a wolf, Nalani had never felt so free.

Karyan’s running slowed, then stopped. He lowered his body to the ground so Nalani could get down, then he transformed into a human.

Nalani calmed down for a moment and sat on the ground. Her legs were shaking after being on the back of Karyan who was running so fast. Then she looked around and was stunned.

“We’re here.” Karyan approached her and offered his hand to help Nalani up. “This is my favorite place.”

They were in a clearing, surrounded by old trees. The air was filled with the fragrance from their leaves. Her grandmother had once told her about a rare tree with fragrant leaves that can block magic. In her grandmother’s book there was a picture of this tree. Nalani still remembered it.

“Eirore ...” she whispered, touching the trunk of a nearby tree. “I can finally see it for real.”

“You know the name of the trees?” Karyan was impressed. “We’re safe here. Deegon won’t dare to come close.”

Not far from where they stood, there was a small river. Nalani imagined how beautiful it would be on a clear day.

“I’ll bring you here sometime during the day.” It was as if Karyan could read her mind. “Come, follow me. I will give you knowledge as the Goddess of the Forest.”

They started walking and Karyan pointed out the trees and their names. Also the names of the wild flowers. Then, they came to a part of the forest where a large tree had fallen. The end of the trunk was hollowed out like a dark passage.

"According to our legend, that passage leads to Urvandell," said the alpha.

"Really?" Nalani was instantly curious. "Have you ever been in there?"

Karyan nodded. "No, I haven't. And no one else. It's just a legend anyway. The land of the fairies cannot be easily reached. The entrance is hidden."

"I wonder..." Nalani peered a little into the dark hole.

"Don't," Karyan said. "There might be snakes or bears nesting there. You can't summon your shield here because of the Eirore trees."

"You're right." Nalani agreed. "Let's get out of here. What else should I know?"

"I think that's enough. Now you know that this forest is beautiful, despite the existence of that creature."

They walked back to the part of the forest surrounded by Eirore trees. They sat on the ground, leaning against one of the trees.

"Thank you, Alpha," Nalani said. "You brought me here. And I can finally see the Eirore trees my grandmother always told me about."

"What did your grandmother tell you?"

"That Eirore came from the fae world. Its seeds were carried accidentally by fairies visiting the human world. Then it grows in certain places to protect humans from evil magic."

Karyan smiled. "Just like Lorelei said."

"Then maybe it's true."

"Maybe." Karyan looked at her. "Are you now no longer afraid to sit at the altar as Goddess Medeina?"

Nalani shook her head. "No, I am not. I feel proud now."

"Good. You belong on that altar, even without the light of your magic."

"Why?" asked Nalani in surprise.

Karyan shrugged. "Because you are beautiful. A goddess must be beautiful, right?"

Nalani's face warmed again. "You said so at the castle, but I don't consider myself beautiful."

"Oh, you are beautiful, Nalani," the alpha said. "And I'm glad you're here with me." Karyan leaned closer, his breath warm on Nalani's cheek. "You are part of Mond now. You're not just a representation of the goddess, you're more than that."

Nalani wanted to say that she wished she could return to Inverno, but Karyan’s gentle gaze silenced her words. The alpha rose and brought her to her feet.

“Let’s go home,” he said. He transformed back into a big, handsome black wolf, waiting for Nalani to climb onto his back and run through the trees out of the forest.

***

Early in the morning, Nalani was awakened by the noise outside. She stayed in bed for a while, recalling her adventure in the forest with Karyan last night. The alpha dropped her off at the door to her room and told her to go to sleep. Then he went back outside, joining Radoff and the guards outside.

“Miss... “ Mita poked her head in the connecting door. Her hand moved. “I was asked to wake you up.”

“What’s up? Why is it so crowded outside?”

“You should see it, Miss. The alpha asked you to come.”

Nalani got up from her bed and walked to the balcony. She saw a large platform being built in the center of the castle grounds. “What is that?”

“The altar for the festival, Miss,” Mita replied. “Come, the alpha is waiting for you there.”

Nalani saw Karyan standing watching the stage builders. Next to him was Radoff who was busy giving orders. Karyan looked up, and they locked eyes. He signaled with a head movement for Nalani to come immediately.

“Alright. Help me change, Mita. Then we’ll join them.”

Moments later, Nalani in clean clothes approached Karyan. Mita followed behind her. However, before she could greet Karyan, Jora emerged from among the workers and called out to her. “Nalani, please come with me.”

Nalani turned to Karyan with a questioning look, but the alpha again signaled her to follow Jora. Astonished, Nalani walked behind the elder who led her to a tent.

“Sit down,” Jora said. “We will make an altar for you. But it must match your personal element. There are five elements that represent the Goddess Medeina. Earth, wood, water, sun and wind. But humans only have one element.”

“Even werewolves?”

“Of course. Because we can transform into humans too,” she replied. “Now hold out both hands, so I can see inside you.”

Nalani complied. Her palms were now touching the palms of Jora, who was sitting with her eyes closed. As the minutes passed, her arms began to ache when Jora finally opened her eyes again. Jora’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Nalani.

“Child, I see you have five elements.”

“Is that bad?” asked Nalani innocently.

Jora shook her head in confusion. “No,” she replied. “It’s just that it’s not very human.”

***
A Spy Sent To Kill The Alpha
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