To be greeted so warmly by her mate brought Kirain at least an ounce of relief. She steadied herself with slow, deliberate breaths. Lestan was right, witches and druids do not fear nature; they thrive within it.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the gentle nuzzling of her daughters against her legs. She offered them a tender smile before speaking softly. Da is right. Don’t be afraid, my loves. All will be well, so long as we are together.

Her silver eyes drifted further into the den, where her son stood frozen in fear. She sighed softly. Come now, little ones. Your Da has a wonderful idea. Let us show you the strength that flows within your blood.

Turning back to her husband, a playful grin curved her lips. Shall we perform a ritual at one of the wards? It should be safe, so long as we stay together. I’ll let you lead, of course, my witchling mate.

She lowered her head to nudge her children toward the nearest ward. Stay close, little ones. There is much for you to see.

Her tail swayed gently behind her as she kept pace with her pups, careful not to walk too quickly and risk them stumbling.

Stepping beyond the Goldenwood sent a trill of anxiety through the mother’s chest, her eyes scanning the skies for any sign of danger. All was quiet, and only then did she let out the breath she’d been holding.

The walk was both beautiful and haunting, a night they would not soon forget. The fog hung heavy in the air, cloaking the world in ghostly silence. Kirain kept a watchful eye on her pups, ensuring they stayed close and didn’t wander too far from the safety of their parents.