One day before the Alignment

This was it. We had almost made it to Darqua. In a few hours, this would all be over. Or would it have just started? Raydir and I had just enough berries to get us to the valley before we’d need more food. In the distance, the sound of rushing water filled the silence as we walked. Closer. Closer.

These last few miles would be the most crucial. Majesty and Orion were running out of energy quickly, but the terrain ahead shifted.

Raydir stopped, crouching to run a hand over the ground. “We’re getting close to the valley.”

“You can tell just by touching the ground?” I asked, impressed. It was like he’d become part of the forest since we began our journey.

“Yeah. I’ve always had a natural sense of direction. So I guess it’s just part of it. We need to keep going if we want to make the valley by the evening.”

“We need to let the horses graze,” I countered. “If they get too tired, we won’t make it to the valley tonight.”

Raydir raked a hand through his hair. “Then we’ll let them graze when we stop for lunch. Just a bit further, I promise.”

Reluctantly, I nudged Majesty forward. We walked beside our horses in silence for a while. Occasionally, I glanced over at Raydir who looked more exhausted with each step.

“You didn’t sleep did you?” My voice was quiet to avoid hearing the evident quiver.

“Last night? Of course I did.”

I shook my head. “No, you didn’t. Not after the nightmare. You stayed awake.”

“Someone had to keep watch,” he mumbled. “I wanted to make sure no one was following us.”

“Ray, if someone was following us, we would’ve known by now.” I pushed my arm out in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. “What’s the real reason?”

Fear swam in his eyes. They flashed a golden brown before settling back to green. He shook his head. “It’s fine. Probably just the Alignment messing with my head, that’s all.” He kissed my cheek. “C’mon, we should keep moving.”

I nodded silently, deciding not to press anymore.

What is he not telling me? I wondered. This closed-off side was something I hadn’t seen in Raydir before. We didn’t have secrets.

Except, we now both very clearly did.

A few hours later, we arrived at the edge of the valley. A protection barrier in front of us shimmered a rainbow of colors. They really did want to keep this valley away from the non-wolf community.

“This is it,” I said. “Once we go through, there’s no turning back.”

Raydir nodded. “Then let’s do this.”

I reached my hand out, and the barrier rippled as we stepped through. Several men and women stepped forward, aiming bows and arrows right at us. One woman who looked my age stood with her bow steadied, a look of determination in her blue eyes. Her red hair flowed loosely around her shoulders.

Not the warm welcome I was expecting, I thought to myself as Raydir squeezed my hand. So here goes nothing.

“Um, hi!” I called cheerfully, waving. “I’m Lady Arwyn of Gwyniar and this is Lord Raydir of Alvenora. We’ve come here—”

“We know why you’re here,” a voice boomed from one of the hilltops. A tall man stepped forward. “Arabella was your sister.”

My mouth dropped open. “Y-you’re him. You and Bella…” After all of the times that Arabella had talked about her ‘prince charming’, I had never once actually met him. He was like his own fairytale, and sometimes I wondered if he really existed.

He inclined his head to me. “I was her fiance.” He stepped forward, beckoning to one of the women who stood by his side. “Rosamund, take these two to a cabin. And welcome to Darqua.”

Rosie smiled and led us down the path. I breathed a sigh of relief. We’d made it, finally. And there was still another day until the Alignment. Tomorrow, it would be upon us.

The valley was beautiful, covered in a lush green with an array of colorful foliage. Surrounding the lake that separated the two sides were rustic log cabins. Right in the center sat a lodge building complete with a front porch and rocking chairs.

“Wow, you all have really made a life for yourselves out here,” I commented as we walked toward one of the cabins.

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“When you’re separated from the outside world, you make do with what you have,” Rosamund replied. “Would you prefer a one-bed cabin or a two-bed?”

“Uh.” I glanced at Raydir, heat creeping into my cheeks. “Two?” We hadn’t exactly talked over sleeping arrangements, but we’d probably be more comfortable with the extra space.

You can cuddle on the run but flee at the thought of sharing a bed? a voice nagged in my head. I pushed the thought away.

Rosamund smiled. “I thought as much.” She led us down the path a little further before stopping outside of one of the cabins. “This will be yours. Take as much time as you need to settle in. You’ll find towels and soap in your bathroom. If you have any clothes for washing, there are baskets inside. In the meantime, I can help you with some fresh clothes. I’ll just need one outfit a piece so I can see what we can find in your sizes.”

“You have other clothing here?” I inquired.

She nodded. “All clothes we offer have never been worn as we always expect new members to the community. Once you take them, they become yours to keep.”

“Thank you, really,” Raydir said. He ran a hand through his hair again. “Rosamund, could I speak with Bennett? I have questions about the valley, the curse, everything.”

“Of course, I’ll take you to see him. And please, just call me Rosie.”

I tugged at his arm. “Are you sure you don’t want to go inside and rest? We’ll have plenty of time later to sort things out.”

Ray glanced around. “I’m sure. I won’t be able to rest until I get some answers.”

I bounced on my toes in the doorway of the cabin. “Be back soon, ok?” After five days on the run, I didn’t want to let him go yet.

Raydir kissed my cheek. “I will.”

With that, I went inside to take a look around our new home. The cabin held a small kitchen and sitting area between two bedrooms and a bathroom. A sleek marble tub sat in the middle of the bathroom. My muscles ached for hot water and cleanliness. After double-checking that the door was locked, I stripped out of my clothes and eased my body into the tub, letting out a sigh of relief. As promised, the cabin was fully equipped with soap and shampoo—certainly luxuries I wasn’t expecting out here—and all plant-based.

Despite the exhaustion that had built up over the last five days, adrenaline soared through me and kept me awake.

Fifteen minutes later, my fingers were good and wrinkly, and I felt calmer than I had in five days. Of course, that relief was slowly extinguished when I remembered tonight was the last night before the Alignment. Wrapping myself into a towel, I walked across the hall to my room where a silk nightgown and a new burgundy corset dress lay upon my bed. Raydir must have brought them back with him.

Familiarity flowed through me as the fabric touched my skin. It was light and thin between my fingertips. Whenever I wore these dresses, I felt free from the constraints of society. Now here in Darqua, I didn’t have to worry about that. The bronze overlay clasped at my waist and ended under my chest, giving a little extra emphasis to my bust. I padded carefully out of my room and found Raydir on the sofa, burying his face in his hands.

“Ray?” I asked quietly.

His head shot up, swiveling around to face me. “Arwyn, I didn’t hear you come in. Are you ok?”

“Yeah. Are you? You look deflated.” I carefully sat next to him. “What did Rosie say?”

“It’s complicated. We should talk with Bennett together after dinner. Rosie said we eat at the Grand Cabin at six. I’m just going to get cleaned up.” He refused to meet my eyes.

My gaze scanned his face for clues of anything. What are you not telling me, Raydir?

Without another word, he got up from the sofa and went into the bathroom. I pulled on my boots and walked out of the cabin, hoping to catch up with Rosie or Bennett. The valley bristled with activity, sounds of casual chit chat and laughter echoing throughout. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine building a life here with Raydir.

What would life be like out here?

“Penny for your thoughts?” a man in a weathered hat asked. He stood behind a small fruit stand to the left of the Grand Cabin.

“Just exploring,” I replied with a smile. “But those peaches do smell delicious.”

He tossed one to me. “Consider it a welcome gift.”

“T-thank you.” I certainly wasn’t expecting that.

The man winked. “Welcome to Darqua.”

I gave him a smile and a small wave as I walked away, nearly colliding with Rosie.

“Arwyn!” Rosie exclaimed, grasping my shoulders to steady herself. “My apologies, I didn’t see you there.” Her eyes scanned over me. “I see you found the clothes I left for you?”

“Yes, thank you. They’re lovely. How are the horses?” We started walking along the path together.

“They are both resting in the barn, content. Are you settling in alright? How are you feeling about the Alignment?”

I kicked the ground with the toe of my boot and stopped. “I’m really worried. Raydir has been having nightmares and he’s pushing himself too much.”

“Ah.” She clasped her fingers together over her stomach. “Yes, the nightmares before the Alignment before the first shift are often the worst. Have you had any nightmares?

I shook my head. “None. But are you saying his nightmares are normal?

Rosie glanced out into the distance. “We’ll know soon.”

Great. More cryptics. “What can you tell me about the shift? This is the last night, and I want to be prepared.”

“I really think it’s best you heard that from Bennett. There is a lot about the wolf spirit that you and Raydir both need to know.”

“He seemed pretty upset at the cabin,” I said. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be with him. I hate to see the pain he’s in. And why haven’t I had any symptoms?” A realization hit me as her words sank in. “Wait a minute, wolf spirit?”

My mother used to tell me stories about a princess and her beloved who was cursed with a wolf spirit. One day her life was in danger, and her beloved as a wolf sacrificed himself to save her. As he was dying, he turned back into the human she had always loved..

What were the chances it was more than a fairytale?

“Come with me now. We’re about to serve dinner anyway. Why don’t you and Raydir sit with me and Bennett? We can explain everything you need to know.”

“I would love that,” I replied.

A bell rang, and the doors to several cabins opened as everyone made their way to the Grand Cabin for dinner.