27. Talia

Chapter 27

Talia

W e set out at dusk, moving south, me and Firion sitting on the tan-colored creature unlike anything I’d seen before in my life, called a mundrek. Davon rode the second with our packs strapped behind him.

The mundrek beneath me swayed with a rhythm that was both alien and soothing. Firion’s arm wrapped protectively around my waist, anchoring me to his chest as much as to the creature. Warmth from the mundrek’s lightly furred hide seeped into my legs, and its cloven hooves kicked up small puffs of sand as it loped across the dunes. I marveled at how these animals could navigate the ever-shifting terrain with such speed and agility.

When we spoke, we kept it soft, not wanting to draw attention.

The desert at night created a symphony of humming insects and trilling night birds. It also held a subtle beauty, and I couldn't stop tipping my head back to rest it against Firion's chest and just stare around. Unfamiliar constellations made me feel both small and somehow connected to my new home. Two moons slowly rose high into the sky, casting a milky glow across the landscape. Their light danced across the sand, turning it into a shimmering silver sea.

Firion pointed out various stars and constellations to me, weaving tales of Zuldruxian lore about heroes, epic battles, and impossible love stories. Each was a precious piece of his culture and a window into his soul, and I cherished every word he said.

Cool air nipped at my skin, and I was grateful for the warmth of Firion’s body against mine. While Davon said nothing, Firion and I spoke quietly, our voices blending with the soft rustling of the wind across the dunes. The mundreks moved almost silently, giving away their presence only by the shuffle of their cloven padded feet on the sand.

As we traveled toward our new future, the desert came alive with nocturnal creatures. The distant call of something that sounded like a cross between a wolf’s howl and the haunting melody of a flute made me shiver, and Firion pointed out that while the beast was loud, it was small, barely larger than his fist. A few birds startled from alien cacti as we passed, shrieking before landing and cutting off their cries. This place was both eerie and enchanting, and I didn’t want to close my eyes and miss one single second.

The night wore on, and the moons climbed higher, casting long shadows behind us. We paused now and then to let the mundreks drink from the water skins Davon carried, and we ate and stretched our legs while they rested. Devon moved with confidence, showing how easily he lived in harmony with this harsh environment.

As the first hint of dawn painted the horizon in hues of pink and orange, the landscape began to change. The endless dunes gave way to patches of scruffy grass that stubbornly clung to the sandy soil. In the far distance, the dark outline of a forest waited, so starkly different than the open desert.

Firion’s grip on me tightened, and I knew he was as eager as I was to reach the trees. We'd survived the mine and the desert, but once we reached his brother, this scary part of our lives would be over.

As the sun crept above the horizon, bathing the world in golden light, we urged the mundreks into a brisk trot. The promise of a new day, and the hope of finding my sister Maggie, pushed me forward.

The grass beneath the mundreks' hooves grew more solid with each stride, changing from sparse, dry tufts to a vibrant purple carpet brushing against their legs. My heart soared. So close. So close! The scruffy grasses soon mixed with the first signs of trees, spindly, wispy things with leaves that glinted like amethysts in the sunlight.

Firion's voice, low and filled with warmth, whispered past my ear. “We're almost there, precious one. The forest is just ahead. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s amazing.” So welcome .

The trees were huge, easily as large as the ones I'd read about in the Pacific Northwest. He'd told me his brother's clan actually lived inside the trees, that their god resided there as well and took care of them like his stone gods did his clan. If I hadn't seen their work in the mine, I wouldn't believe him. How could I? But I was slowly accepting them into my life. One day, I bet asking them for something would feel as seamless as pushing the button on a microwave. Who needed Earth tech when you could commune with an alien species the Zuldruxians called gods?

I leaned back against my love, savoring the steady beat of his heart against my back. “I can't wait to see it up close.”

The mundreks, sensing an upcoming break, quickened their pace. The forest loomed larger now, a dark mass of every shade of purple imaginable. The trees grew taller and thicker here, their branches reaching out to one another as if in greeting. The air grew cooler and carried the earthy scent of damp soil and crushed leaves.

Even some distance away, I could hear so much more than I had in the desert. The forest was alive with creatures. Birds with iridescent feathers darted above the trees before soaring back down, their songs a cacophony that I swore heralded our arrival. A rustling in the underbrush caught my attention, and a small, furry creature with large, curious eyes peered out at us before scampering away into the thicket.

We were about three hundred yards away when Davon brought his mundrek to an abrupt halt. A snarl ripped up his throat as he pulled the sword from the sheath riding his spine.

The stone blade appeared in Firion's hand and when I looked up, his intent gaze remained on the forest.

Looking ahead, my heart froze.

Three Veerenad warriors stood between us and safety, their lips peeled back to snarl and their armor glinting in the sunlight.

Bellowing and lifting their spears, they rushed toward us.