Chapter 37

“ Why do we keep stopping?” Deon asked, his voice laced with frustration as we paused again. He leaned against a tree, clutching his shoulder where Cassandra had stitched him up. “ We should be going through the forest. We don’t have time to waste.”

“ I know, but Cassandra was clear. You’re not fully healed,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, though it mirrored my own impatience. “ We need you in fighting shape when we find Meara.”

Deon let out a huff but nodded, besides. As much as he wanted to press on, he knew his limits, and we couldn’t afford any more setbacks.

We pressed forward, the path winding around the dense, enchanted trees that marked the forest's edge. It would take us two days to circle the forest’s borders, twice as long as it would have taken if we’d dared to cut through. Every time we paused, the amulet’s glow would flicker, its arrow wavering as though the magic itself was growing impatient with our progress. But I couldn’t risk Deon’s health; I couldn’t risk losing him, not when I’d already lost so much.

As the first day dragged on, we found ourselves constantly at odds with the terrain. The rocky hills and overgrown paths made every step a challenge. By the time we set up camp for the night, my body was sore from navigating the uneven ground, and Deon looked like he was barely holding on. We made a fire and ate in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

Deon slumped against a tree; his eyes fixed on the glowing amulet between us. “ We could be there by now,” he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

“ I know,” I replied, staring into the flames. “ But we need to be smart about this. We can’t afford any more injuries.”

Deon didn’t argue, but the tension between us was palpable. I knew he was angry, not just at me but at himself for being a liability. He wanted to find Meara as badly as I did, but his body was betraying him, slowing us down when we could least afford it.

As the fire died down, I lay back on the hard ground, my eyes on the stars above. The night was quiet, except for the distant sounds of the forest, and my thoughts drifted to Meara. I could only hope that she was safe, that she was holding on until we could reach her. Sleep was elusive, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face—bruised, afraid, but defiant. I clenched my fists, promising myself that I wouldn’t fail her, and I will make whoever fucking did that to her pay.

At first light, we broke camp and continued our journey, the second day proving no easier than the first. The landscape around the Magical Forest was relentless, and every step felt like a battle against the elements. Deon’s pace slowed further, and I could see the strain on his face with every movement. He didn’t complain, but I could feel his frustration building.

“ We’ll get there,” I assured him, even though I was trying to convince myself just as much. “ We just need to get through today.”

“ Today feels like a lifetime,” Deon grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow. He stumbled, catching himself on a boulder, and I hurried to his side, supporting his weight.

“ Rest for a minute,” I said firmly, helping him sit down.

“ You’re no good to anyone if you push yourself to the point of collapse.”

Deon reluctantly agreed, sitting with his head bowed as he caught his breath. I scanned the surroundings, my eyes darting toward the forest’s dark boundary. The Magical Forest was an ever-present shadow, its twisted trees and eerie stillness a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked just beyond our reach. The amulet’s arrow continued to point us onward, never wavering in its direction, but each time it dimmed, a knot of fear tightened in my chest.

By midday, the sun was high, beating down on us with relentless heat. We found a small stream and paused to drink, refilling our waterskins. Deon splashed water on his face, the coolness offering some relief, but it was clear that his strength was growing weaker.

“ I’m slowing us down,” he admitted quietly, a rare moment of vulnerability from someone usually so unbreakable. “ Maybe you should go on ahead without me.”

I shook my head. “ Not a chance. We’re in this together, and we’re going to find her together. Besides, I’m not leaving you out here alone.”

Deon met my gaze, his eyes filled with gratitude despite his frustration. He nodded, and we pushed on, the day dragging with every aching step. As the shadows lengthened, the terrain began to level out, signaling that we were nearing the end of our detour around the forest. My heart lifted slightly; we were finally making progress.

That evening, as we set up camp once more, I noticed Deon’s breathing was labored, his movements sluggish. The Shadowfang’s venom still lingered, a silent poison that refused to let him fully recover. I knew he needed proper care, and soon, but I also knew he wouldn’t turn back without a fight.

“ We’ll make it tomorrow,” I said, trying to reassure both of us. “ Then I’ll send you back to Valtor.”

Deon didn’t argue this time. He simply nodded, his exhaustion overtaking his stubbornness. We ate in silence, and once again, I found myself staring at the amulet’s faint glow, the only light in the encroaching darkness.

Morning came too soon, and I roused Deon, who was pale but determined. We broke camp quickly, and as we cleared the last of the rugged terrain, the amulet’s arrow finally settled on a direct path, pointing us toward a distant mountain range. Relief washed over me; we were finally back on track.

But as we continued, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing anxiety that had taken root in my chest. The amulet’s light flickered more often now, as if its magic was struggling against some unseen force. The further we went, the dimmer it grew, until it was little more than a faint glow in my palm. I clenched my fist around it, refusing to let it fade.

Meara was out there, somewhere beyond those mountains, and I wouldn’t rest until I had her back.

“ We’re almost there,” I said to Deon, who nodded, his determination renewed by the promise of progress. But even as we pressed on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that time was slipping away, that every moment spent circling the forest had cost us more than just time.

I could only hope that I would reach Meara in time. I wouldn’t fail her again. Not now, not ever.


The journey to Valtor was far from easy, but Deon was fading fast, and it was the only place he could truly recover. His home in the Fire Kingdom was the heart of his strength, and he needed the power of the fiery realm—and his spirit animal—to help him heal from the Shadowfang’s poison. As much as he protested, it was clear that he needed care far beyond what I could provide on the road.

We reached Valtor just before dusk. The Fire Kingdom was a sight to behold, with its towering volcanic mountains, rivers of molten lava, and a sky perpetually streaked with shades of red and gold. The heat was visible, a comforting warmth to those born of fire but a stifling force to outsiders. I could feel the power thrumming beneath my feet, the very land alive with energy. It was a kingdom of resilience, just like Deon.

Deon’s home was a large, sturdy structure built of black stone and reinforced with fireproof spells. It was simple yet commanding, much like the man himself. His spirit animal, a massive griffin named Onyx, was waiting for us, its eyes blazing with concern the moment it saw Deon.

“ Get him inside,” I instructed the servants who rushed out to greet us. They carefully took Deon, who was too weak to walk on his own, and helped him to his chambers. Onyx followed closely, the griffin’s feathers crackling with small bursts of flame, a physical manifestation of its worry.

Once inside, I stayed close, ensuring that the healers tended to Deon’s wounds with the utmost care. They applied salves and performed rituals meant to draw out the last of the Shadowfang’s venom, while Onyx remained by his side, the griffin’s presence lending its strength. Deon was in and out of consciousness, his face twisted in pain as the venom’s effects lingered.

“ You’ll be fine,” I said quietly, though I wasn’t sure if he could hear me. I placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the heat of his fevered skin. “ You just need to rest.”

Deon’s eyes fluttered open, and he gripped my arm weakly. “ You need to go,” he rasped. “ Don’t waste any more time. Find Meara.”

“ I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe,” I said firmly.