Page 85 of Maleen

“The Forest of Death,” I whisper before turning to my mates and saying, “The Nairiden Forest is the Forest of Death my mother is referencing.” I explain to them how Nero triggered the memory with reminding me that we probably won’t know what those lines mean until we come across the things it is alluding to.

Killian growls. “We don’t know anything about that forest. This Being could kill us for all we know.”

“He’s right,” Aemon adds, running his hands through his already disheveled white hair. “The second trial at Phixmery is on the southernmost, outermost edge of the forest, yet every year there’s countless deaths even though it’s supposedly the safest area.”

Nero starts squirming so I place him on my shoulder. “What if this is the only way we can find out how to destroy the stone? This Being helped my mother make the damn necklace that made me forget you. They clearly know how to manipulate the stone. We need to convince them to tell us how to destroy it.”

Talyn steps up beside me, peering out the window at the dark forest that seems to go on forever. “Rav is right.” He glances down at me. “We already knew we would have to go into that forest. This is just one more reason to, no matter how dangerous. We either die fighting for the realm and the lords kill us before we can kill them, we die in the forest or when we are old and grey. But I don’t think I can live with myself if we don’t try to destroy the Stone.” He looks back out the window. “I know what the Stone can do. I felt it controlling my soul to do the bidding of my father. It’s killed our friends… family…” He faces everyone. “I’ll go into The Nairiden Forest if it means keeping our family safe and freeing our realm.”

The room falls silent except for Nero who whistles. “Damn. The broody male can really sell going into a death-trap forest. Let’s do it!”

Talyn smirks at Nero but stays focused on the others for their reactions.

I take his hand. “Into the Forest of Death,” I say firmly.

Aemon sighs. “You make a good point. I guess we should start planning to leave for The Nairidian.”

Timber snaps as Killian’s hand grips the back of the chair too tightly. He drops the splintering wood and moves directly into my space. His finger and thumb rest gently on my chin, forcing me to look up at his towering height. “My Little Warrior, you will listen to us while we are in there, because I swear to the fucking Fates, if anything happens to you in that damn forest I will follow you into the next life—because we both know you’re just going to find yourself in more trouble there.”

I grin up at him. “We will protect each other. We are all walking out of the forest alive.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

VASARI HUFFS IN ANNOYANCE AS I finish cleaning her teeth. “I won’t be able to help you in there unless you want me to burn the whole forest down. Actually, that might not be a bad idea… Make the Being come to us…” she plots and I shake my head, laughing.

“No, we will not be doing that. I need you here to keep an eye on things and protect the city in case of an attack. Plus Ember and Roz will be back soon, and I need you to explain to their dragons what is going on. You’re the only one I trust with this,” I tell her honestly, and to help soothe her well-earned ego.

She sighs, blowing steaming, stinking air into my face. “I suppose you’re right. I will make sure you have a castle to come back to. It’s not like the feathered rat could save the city from the wraiths. Maybe it’s best if you lose him in the forest with the rest of the wild chickens. He will find himself a good home there.”

“Hey!” Nero snaps. “I could totally save the city too… it just might take me longer. I’m also not a chicken, or rodent, or a crow! I’m a raven! Bringer of death and wisdom!”

“Death of personality, maybe,” she mutters.

“Okay, enough you two. You both aren’t going anywhere. I love you both equally. Now, be good bondmates and say goodbye before we head off.” I mentally cross my fingers and toes.

They stare at each other for a minute before Nero puffs out his chest. “She’s loved me longer!” Then flies off my shoulder to outside the Dragon’s Keep, waiting for me.

She rolls her eyes. “Be safe out there, Lost One.”

I smile at her. “I’m not lost anymore. I know exactly where I am.”

MY HORSE PAWS the ground in front of me as we stop at the nearest entrance to The Nairiden Woods.

“Remember, stay close to each other and don’t wander off the trail,” Killian reminds us.

After we realized that we would be walking into the Nairiden forest, the next line from the journal was pretty easy to understand. The rest? Not so much, but I’m sure we will figure it out as we go. My mother wouldn’t lead us to our deaths, right?

Aemon enters the forest first, followed by Talyn, then myself. Behind me is Jesper, and bringing up the rear is Killian.

Nero stays seated on my shoulder, humming with contentment. “This is so much better than riding in a cage on the overgrown lizard.”

“You’re not in a cage anymore,” I remind him.

“Semantics. It was traumatizing,” he huffs.

I try to fight the smirk but my lip twitches. “You’re right, it was very traumatizing.”

“I’m glad you understand,” he states seriously, causing a full blown smile to take over my face.