29. Amber

Blaze heads toward the path,but Damien stops him.

"What?" Blaze asks, so irritated that sparks light up around him.

"We need to check with the Astral Compass to make sure we're going the right way," Damien says.

Blaze stares at Damien as if Damien's lost his mind. "There's only one path," he says.

"There's only one obvious path." Damien reaches into his pack, pulling out the compass. "That doesn't mean it's the only path."

He focuses on the compass, his brow knitted as he waits for it to show him the way.

Finally, after a few seconds, he heads toward the main, obvious path. The same one we were discussing seconds before.

"This is the correct one," he admits. "But, like I said, it didn't hurt to check."

Blaze smirks in victory.

Morgan and I give each other a look—one that makes it clear we're both hoping the guys can figure out how to get along—and follow Damien's lead, leaving the scorched clearing and the Yeti's gruesome remains behind.

We walk in strained silence. But at least the winding path is a pretty one, and I admire it as we make our way up the mountain. Streams of water bubble alongside us, their surfaces sparkling like liquid crystal. The air is crisp and clean, occasional snowflakes glistening like diamonds as they drift down to the ground, and the tree barks shimmer with an otherworldly glow.

The sun shines brighter up here, which feeds my magic. It's extremely appreciated, given how much power I used for the crystal trial and against the Yeti.

As we walk, we remain sharp and alert, scanning our surroundings in case anything else attacks.

We continue like that for over an hour.

I unconsciously reach for the duskberry bond a few times to see if I can get a read on Damien's feelings, startled when it's not there, and reminded each time that we're married. Then, I think about the ceremony. The hollow kiss. The fact that I've committed myself to a man who doesn't love me. And that I'm now a queen.

Given how much my mind keeps wandering, it's a miracle I'm able to walk in a straight line.

"Look," Morgan suddenly says, pointing ahead.

I reach for my magic—which is still weakened—and brace myself for anything other than the breathtaking vista I see when I turn the bend to stand next to her.

Because below us, a pristine, snow-covered valley stretches out, making way for the mountains rising in the distance. Their peaks pierce the sky, which is a clearer blue than I've ever seen, with sparkling clouds twisting in ways that defy the laws of nature.

"Wow," I breathe, unable to tear my eyes from the view.

I'd take my phone out to snap a picture, if I wasn't worried Damien would chide me about needing to conserve the battery.

But you know what? Screw it.

I reach into my pack, pull out my phone, and turn it on. No service—only that SOS symbol where the bars are supposed to be—but the camera app still works. So, I take a picture, relieved when the others don't comment about how irresponsible I'm being with my battery life.

Then, I flip the camera and take a selfie.

"Come on," I say, giving the others a mischievous smile. "Get in."

Surprisingly, they do, and I snap a few pictures. Damien looks as aristocratic as ever in the photos—apparently, he doesn't smile for pictures—and Blaze looks a bit irritated. Morgan and I are the only ones smiling.

But the best part is that, just for a moment, I feel more normal than I have since moving to New York.

"As a heads up, I doubt that'll hold once we're home," Morgan says. "It'll blur or disappear or something."

"Maybe." I shrug. "But it doesn't hurt to try."

"It might not hurt you, but it's draining your battery," Damien says exactly what I knew he would. "Turn it back off."

I pout—although it's not a real one, since I know he's right—and power down my phone.

He nods in approval as I put it back in my pack, and checks the compass. "Come on," he says, turning to face the path. "We have to keep going."

The photo lightened the mood a bit, so we eventually get to chatting. Nothing overly interesting—only filling Blaze in on more details about what's been happening in the city these past few weeks—but it's less awkward than the earlier silence.

After another hour, the air is noticeably warmer. Birds chirp and flitter about the forest, and flowers peek out from the snow, their petals glowing and delicate.

"Shouldn't it be getting colder as we get higher?" Blaze asks. "Because of the altitude?"

I turn my face to the sky, soaking in the light. "It's getting warmer as we get closer to the sun," I say, knowing it deep in my soul.

After all, we're in the mystical realm. The rules from back home about it getting colder the higher up in elevation you go don't apply here.

The blanket of snow on the ground gets thinner as we continue up the mountain, until it's gone completely. Whenever we're hungry, we snack on food from our packs, not wanting to waste time sitting down for a meal. The sooner we get to the Solar Scepter, the better.

Eventually, we turn around a bend and reach a grove of trees, their branches intertwined to form a natural archway. Birds sing from within it, and the leaves growing from the branches are bigger and more shimmery than anything I've seen so far in the forest. It exudes power, and I stare at it in awe as I soak in the magic thrumming through the air.

"Another portal?" I ask, looking to Morgan.

"I have no idea," she says. "But it sure looks like it."

Damien stares intently at the compass, which, from his stance, is pointing to the archway. "Whatever it is, we're about to find out," he says. "We'll go through together."

The archway is wide enough that we're able to line up with only a few inches between our shoulders. Damien and I stand in the center, and Morgan and Blaze flank our sides. The space between me and Damien buzzes with energy, and I'm not sure if it's from the portal or from the tension between us.

Probably both.

We give each other the go, and step through at the same time.

It's like passing through an invisible, electric fence. Like a shock that runs through my body, but not in a bad way. More like an extremely strong tingle.

As soon as we're through, a large temple shimmers into view, like a mirage coming to life.

Its stone walls are a masterpiece of craftsmanship, carved with ancient symbols and runes that glow in the late afternoon light. Majestic golden spires rise from the roof, gleaming like beacons against the sky. Vines of luminescent flowers weave through the walls, their petals shimmering with celestial beauty, casting delicate patterns of light and shadow across the ground. And it all pulses with living magic, as if it houses the gods themselves.

"Wow," I say, stunned.

"Look at those carvings." Morgan moves toward one of the walls and traces her fingers over the glowing runes. "They're beautiful."

"They're more than beautiful," Damien replies. "They're ancient, and there might be something in them we need to decode to get in."

I glance at the steps that lead to the door, which is made of pure gold. "Maybe we should just knock. If no one answers, then we can try decoding ancient runes," I decide, and I stride to the bottom of the steps, stopping to look over my shoulder at the three of them. "Are you coming, or not?"

After all, we're a team. Decisions need to be made together.

Before they can reply, the temple doors swing open, and a radiant figure steps out. Her long, flowing robes shimmer like liquid gold, cascading around her like molten light. Her eyes, deep and clear, seem to hold the knowledge of the universe within them, and her expression is one of calm, gentle authority.

Damien, Morgan, and Blaze join me at the bottom of the steps, wordlessly watching her as well.

"Welcome, travelers," the woman says, melodic and soothing. "I'm Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom."

She watches us carefully, waiting for a reply.

Damien is the first to speak.

"I'm King Damien Fairmont of the Uptown New York Clan, and this is my wife, Queen Amber," he says, motioning to me. "We're accompanied by Morgan Hawthorne of the Blood Coven, and Blaze Reinhardt of the Bloodscript Line."

The goddess nods, as if she's heard of our clan and their covens.

I can barely focus. Because Damien's introduction of me is echoing in my ears.

My wife.

Queen Amber.

I'm never going to get used to that.

But now's not the time to get caught up in thoughts of my new title. Because this is my mission, and I have to show it.

"We're here for the Solar Scepter," I say, trying to peek over her shoulder into the temple.

I assume it's in there somewhere.

Unfortunately, the light around the goddess glows so much that it's impossible to see inside.

"The Scepter is not within these walls," she says gently.

"Oh." I frown. "Then where is it?"

"It's higher up the mountain," she says. "This temple is the next steppingstone of your ascension."

"There's another trial inside the temple," I realize. "Like the crystal trial to enter this realm."

"Correct." Her smile is both serene and knowing, in a way that makes me feel anything but relaxed. "This temple is the first of five you'll need to make your way through. Each one houses one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas and will challenge different aspects of who you are: your intellect, strength, heart, courage, and compassion."

"Which Buddha is in this temple?" Damien asks, as if he's heard of these Five Dhyani Buddhas before.

Which, likely, he has.

"Vairocana," Saraswati replies. "He embodies wisdom and knowledge. Your intellect will be tested here, in his temple."

I'm decently smart. But for a challenge of intellect… I'm glad Damien and Morgan are here, too.

"When do we start?" Blaze asks, already prepared to grab his dagger, even though I suspect our weapons will be more useful for the strength trial than the intellect one.

"Your challenge begins now," she says. "May the wisdom of Five Dhyani Buddhas guide you on your way. Safe travels, and good luck."

Without another word, she disappears into a burst of gold, sparkling light, leaving us at the entrance of the temple—the start of our first challenge.