Chapter 129

~ Rayel’s POV

Panic clawed at me as Elara’s mental link flickered, replaced by a terrifying image,a dark cave.

“She is in danger!” I yelled out. Every ounce of self-preservation melted away, replaced by an urge to protect her.

The fragmented images Elara had sent were enough.

Mountains, a cave entrance. It wasn't much, but it was all I had. Barking orders to Boris, I rallied my most trusted warriors. We rode with a desperate urgency, the rising sun painting the sky a bloody red that mirrored the turmoil within me.

Hours bled into one another as we traversed treacherous terrain. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my determination.

Had I reached in time?

Then, a flicker of hope. A plume of smoke rising from a clearing in the distance.

I felt energetic, so I urged my men forward. The scene that greeted me was a tableau of chaos. Elara, battered and bruised, was surrounded by Darach's men. Her defiance, even in her weakened state, ignited a fury within me hotter than any fire.

Before I coul