Chapter 136


    ‘Nina, you and the rest of your pack members can return with us to Moon Crest Castle and stay the


    night. We will have a ship ready to take you to Emerald Ind tomorrow, Maia says.


    ‘Thank you, I say.


    Magnus and I hug Flint, Josie, Ryker, Astrid and my parents goodbye while Yiselda creates a star in a


    circle on the ground and ces stones on each peak.


    ‘When we reach Emerald Ind, I will create another one there so that way, Maia, you cane to


    Wolfwell straight away without travelling across the sea by ship, Yiselda says.


    ‘Thanks, Yiselda! | say, hugging her. —


    Reaper and Alec are conversing under a tree while I finish my goodbyes to everyone else.


    Magnus shifts, and instead of climbing onto his back, I shift as well. Maia, Damon, Sir Hugo and the


    rest of her people admire my ck wolf with the white star on my forehead. Maia can’t help herself and


    gives me a cuddle and a pat.


    We follow Sir Hugo on his horse and Maia, who rides upon Damon’s back for a few hours until we


    reach Moon Crest Castle.


    The castle was built on high ground with clear views of the surroundingnd. There are six?towers with


    battlements that connect with long thick stone walls. Ornate windows are scattered around the walls in


    symmetrical patterns. The portcullis opens, allowing us to enter inside the castle walls. There is arge


    fish pond with a fountain in the middle of the courtyard. Through an open stone doorway on the right


    are lush orchards and vineyards and a garden that supplies vegetables and herbs. Through therge


    open arched stone doorway, on the left is a well-kept garden with fragrant flowers and gorgeous trees.


    Many people walk through the courtyards carrying baskets of freshly baked bread, fruit, vegetables and


    herbs. Childrenugh and run across the cobblestone paths trying to catch each other. It’s like a little


    vige inside the castle walls with workshops, gardens, and stables.


    Next, we approach the grand stairs that lead into the castle itself.


    We follow Maia and Damon and enter inside. We enter?a magnificent hall with arge open space for


    people to dance in the centre and two mahogany tables for dining and socialising. The two tables are


    so long you could probably sit a hundred people at each. There is another table that faces the two long


    ones. It’s shorter and would only seat roughly twelve people. There are two thrones chairs at the


    smaller table where Damon and Maia would sit. On the opposite side of the hall is a massive firece.


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    Five chandeliers with candles hang above the tables. The walls are decorated with purple and ck


    banners and beautiful paintings in thick gold frames.


    We walk up a plethora of stairs and are shown the chambers we will be residing in for the night. The


    room Damon and I are


    given is very cozy. There are two armchairs facing the small firece and arge soft bed. Maia looks


    at Alec and frowns at me, confused.


    ‘Don’t worry yourself with chambers for me. I don’t sleep, Alec says as if reading her mind.


    ‘Oh! Okay then. I wondered how you three would work that part out, but if you never sleep, that makes


    things much easier, Maia giggles and blushes. ‘I look forward to you all joining us for dinner in the


    grand hall, she smiles before exiting the room. Reaper flies from Alec’s shoulder, rests on the stone


    window sill and stretches his wings.


    ‘We will see you then, I nod.


    Maia leaves the room, and Alec sits in the armchair by the firece. I walk over to the window where


    Reaper is and look out at the beautiful view. But, as stunning as it is, I can’t help but feel depressed


    thinking that Shadow Crest is gone. The ce that has always been my home. I let out a heavy sigh.


    ‘What’s wrong, Nina?’ Alec and Magnus say at the same time. I turn and force a smile at them.


    ‘It’s nothing either of you needs to worry about, I say.


    ‘Nina, we are your mates. We know you’re not okay. Magnus says, cing his hand on my shoulder.


    Alec also now stands in front of me with a sh of speed.


    ‘Magnus is right. I know we know that you have gone through a lot recently. You were kidnapped and


    held captive by the wolf council, and you witnessed your home, Shadow Crest, turn into a war field of


    death and destruction. We have left all we have known ande into the world of Mysteria for a new


    life and new beginning. Everything here is all new to us, to you. I’m sure you are feeling overwhelmed


    with sadness, worry and uncertainty. But, it’s okay to talk to us about it, about everything and anything,


    Alec says.


    Magnus folds his arms and nods in agreeance with Alec’s words.


    My heart warms at how much Magnus and Alec both truly care for me.


    ‘You’re right. A lot has happened, and I’m saddened that we will never see Shadow Crest again. I’m


    heartbroken we lost many loved ones. I’m worried about what will happen now. I’m worried about what


    our future holds for us, I say, wiping a


    rogue tear from my cheek.


    Magnus pulls me into his chest and strokes his fingers through my hair tofort me as I cry. I can feel


    the warm sparks from Alec’s hand rubbing my back.


    ‘We are here together. No matter what happens, good or bad, we will conquer it together, Nina,


    Magnus reassures me.


    There is a knock at the door. Alec opens it to find Sir Hugo holding folded clothes.


    ‘Queen Maia thought you might appreciate some fresh clothes.’ Alec takes the clothes.


    ‘Thank you, Sir Hugo, I say over Alec’s shoulder.


    ‘You’re wee he mumbles and walks away.


    Alec ces the clothes on the bed. I pick up a padded cream shirt, a pair of brown trousers, a


    chainmail shirt and a brown leather armoured vest and belt.


    ‘These must be for you, I say to Magnus.


    He takes them from my hands and nods in approval.


    Next, I pick up a ck linen tunic with silver embroidery along the cor with a pair of ck trousers


    and a matching long gambeson coat lined with matching silver embroidery. As I hand them to Alec, I


    spot a leather baldric that falls from the pile of clothes. I pick it up and pass it to Alec.


    ‘These are very fine clothing, Alec says.


    “How do I look?’ Magnus asks. I turn around to see he has already changed into his new clothes. ‘I’m


    getting some Robin Hood vibes from you, I giggle. Magnus approaches with a grin and links his arm


    with mine.


    ‘Well then, perhaps we shall go on a date to steal from the rich and give to the poor then?’


    Alec rolls his eyes at Magnus, but I can’t help but continue tough into hysterics, Alec and Magnus


    smile at me.


    I’ve never heard youugh like that before, Alec smiles, ‘It’s nice to hear it, he says.


    ‘Hopefully, with our new lives here in Mysteria, it is something we will hear from frequently, Magnus


    grins.


    Composing myself after my fit ofughter, I hold the beautiful emerald blue dress against my body. It


    has stunning gold embroidery along the neckline that meets in the middle and continues halfway down


    the dress. The embroidery continues around the hem of the dress. The backces up, and the dress


    has a built-in corset under the soft fabric.


    Til send May in to help youce up the dress, Magnus says and leaves the room. Alec follows him out.


    I begin undressing and step into the dress and pull my arms through. May knocks and enters. She


    wears a dress like mine but burgundy,


    ‘Wow, May, you look so pretty, I say,


    She pulls theces and does them up nice and fir for me. I spin around.


    “And you look just as pretty, May smiles.


    May begins brushing my hair and puts it into a long thick French braid.


    ‘Thank you, May, I beam.


    ‘Anytime, she smiles.


    She leaves the room, and Alec returns in his new attire. My breath hitches as I take him in.


    ‘I must say it’s like those clothes were made just for you. You look incredibly handsome, Alec


    ‘Do I not remind you of Robin Hood?’ He raises an eyebrow in question.


    ‘No, you look like a… King!’ I respond,?


    ‘On the contrary, I am a king, and you, I should add how elegant you look, as befits a Queen.’ He


    winks, making me feel giddy.