Soleil

After our little tour over the hills, Dia led us towards the tall and dark looking trees. The Earths humming magic still cradling over my skin like goosebumps. However, as we got closer to the powerful large trees, it felt different. Old. 

A little like Dia's, but... strange. Damira beside me was oddly quiet, biting her lip with worry. Can she feel the difference? The Island doesn't hum like the Faery Realm. 

Dia stopped a little head of us, telling us to stop right at the edge of the forest opening. "Black as night, the doors of magic yet still summoned with jealously, your forest holds gaze of wonder. With the slip of the tongue, I whisper the names of the Seven Elders and be granted permission to enter." Dia pauses, eyes closed and lips thinned with concentration. 

The feeling of her golden magic shimmered into the air, the trees suddenly feeling more than alive. Warm wind caressed through the trees and to us down below. Every ounce of my hair on my arms stood up, awaiting for the next thing. 

"Don, Dory, Bailey, Pinto, Boonty, Slev and Harlan. Please grant us permission." Dia finishes off with the bow of her head before stepping back towards us. She made no noise as the forest whispers violently around us, voices hissing by our ears. 

However after several minutes, a small man strolled from the forest, bald and standing in an outfit meant for Tarzan however, just painted green. In hand he had a staff, eyes narrowed on our little party. 

"Who dares say my name?" the little man growls lowly, finally seeing the regal highness. The straight stance before now lowered right to the ground, staff fallen into the tall grass. "My Queen!" 

"Elder Dory, please rise. You may be in regal company, but you are much in a high position as us," Dia pauses, watching the small and grumpy man rise. He huffed out his chest, gripping his staff and pointing it right at me. 

"Is that what that awful smell is? Her magic reeks like a newborn Goddess." I pinch my nose, looking down at me. Do I really smell? Damira laughs at my side, shaking her head. I pout, crossing my arms. 

"You don't smell, darling. Well, you smell amazing to me." She adds a wink, making my cheeks flush red. "Anyways, Dia can you tell us where we are and why we are here?" 

"Of course. We are in the Dwarf Forest and this is where Soleil will start her training. Tonight, under the stars and guidance of the River of Dreams, the place where the Blade was created in, Soleil will bathe in it." Elder Dory snorts. 

"She? This little girl will be the new Goddess of Stars and Dreams? Where is the Blade? She will not be able to enter without the Blade." Selene hums, a small smile littering her shiny face. 

"Can't you feel it, Elder Dory? Its right under her skin, in her bloodstream." It must of confused him to hell as he hobbled over to me. 

"Give me your hand, girl." I hesitantly give him my hand and with a long fingernail, he drags it across my skin, leaving a small cut. My blood runs out thick but the color red isn't what it was. My blood, the color of silver drops into my palm, eye wide. Damira, Elder Dory and I were the only ones surprised. Dia and Selene stare down at it like it was a normal thing. "The blood of a Goddess yet, the power of the blade is there, like it's melted and entwined with your blood. How extraordinary." 

Why didn't I know about this sooner? Why is my blood like  this? I turn my heated glare towards Selene. "Why wasn't I informed about this?" Taking my hand away from Elder Dory, I shove my bleeding wrist in her face. "We are suppose to be, what, sisters now? Both a Goddess and yet, you withheld something like this?" 

Selene swallows, taking her eyes off me towards the ground. "I'm sorry. I had thought after reading so many books you would already know." I grind my teeth at her pathetic excuse and whirl away from her. 

My palm not bleeding silver anymore hums slightly. So many new things about myself. Is that all? Because I want this crazy stuff to end. 

"Enough chit chat, lets head for the temple." With a whip of his staff, Elder Dory saunters away, the hobble in his step slowing him down a bit. Dia moves off after him without a word. Sighing, I make eye contact with Damira. She shrugs before moving with me after the others. 

We walk deeper into the forest and all I could see were actual houses built into the trees themselves, other small men and women working or chatting. It kind of reminds me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I giggle at the story book. My mama use to read that all the time when I was little. But Cinderella was my most favorite. 

Wait, Dia said this was the Dwarf Forest... So these people are Dwarves!! Oh my gosh, why didn't I think of it sooner? I'm truly an idiot. 

I slowed my steps as the humming power intensified and my heart stopped. The world stopped as I focused on the large oak tree, the blood beneath my skin thrummed. I felt the need to touch the tree, yet what scared me the most was the stone steps curling in behind the tree and up some where high. So high, the hill could touch the stars. 

"Soleil, will you take these steps?" Dia stood beside me, watching my reactions. I eyed her slightly, before looking at the stone steps. Covered in vines and moss, the wariness of the stone showing its age. 

"What's up there?" I whisper, itching to caress the tree as I make my way up the hill behind the tree. 

"The River of Dreams. Soleil, you must bathe in its Blessed Droplets as you find yourself. Once you have awoken that side, your power will want to be free. Once you find the center of your power, you will know what to do then." I nod slowly, gulping. So if I bathe in that river, I will find the base of my powers, what they are and how powerful they are. 

Damira calls my name softly. I turn to her with a conflicted frown. Selene answers my question for me. "Damira will not be able to come with you. However, she will be able to see you through the enchanted mirror." 

I don't bother asking what that is, all I could really focus on was the humming, the calling of my name. "Damira," I whisper, smiling slowly. "Wait for me?" Damira smiles wide, placing a hand over her mate tattoo. 

"Always and forever." I blow her a kiss, backing away towards the stairs. The humming and whispering got louder as I got closer. Yet something familiar about it caressed over the stress wavering my heart. 

I didn't turn back to my companions as I walked further and further, touching the old bark and digging the heels of my feet into the aged stone. With my strong will and a determined mind, I lift my head up and find the end. Damira is waiting for me. I'll be back, and she will love me whether I'm a changed person or not. It doesn't matter. Because love triumphs. Love always wins...

Heyo guys!! Chapter 36 doneeee

What if I was mean and left it at that and continued it on to a second book? Lol nah I'll just make this book extra long hahaha. Nah seriously, not long to go and the finale will happen and the end will come. But while you wait, enjoy the ride for now. Soleil is now just discovering her powers and who she will now be. 

Honestly loving her character development. 

Tell me your honest feedback and send a like and perhaps share with your friends and fam. 

Love you all so much!!!!