ASLAN’S POV
“Zarina, tell me honestly. What do you know about the recent attack on the baby?” I asked, gripping her shoulders.
“Are you getting worried about that tiny tot now, brother? I have already written death in her destiny. It is just a matter of time.”
It took every ounce of my self-control to speak the next sentence. Zarina was trying to test my intentions and I couldn’t fail her. “We have been pretending for FIVE whole months to care for Aurora. Now, if Tiara dies before we get the Heart of Magic, won’t our efforts go in vain?”
“Don’t worry, brother. I have already warned Logan not to attack Tiara again.”
I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. “What the F***! Did you say… Logan?”
“I often forget how little you know about witches. Celeste’s soul was bound to Logan’s body. So, she can channel him as a
AURORA’S POV I felt so restless at the thought of taking my little girl on a dangerous expedition. Unfortunately, I had no choice.Caleb stood up and took out a scroll from his pocket. The paper looked so thin that I was scared it would tear just because we tried to open it.Spreading it out on the table Caleb explained, “This was given to me by a very powerful seer who owed me a favor. This is an ancient map that shows the location of the portal. It is nestled in the nucleus of a dense forest. This forest is surrounded by concentric stretches of seas, deserts, and high mountains.”“Dang it! Caleb, we can’t possibly think of taking my newborn baby to such a place! I don’t think she can bear the unending journey and climatic fluctuations…”“Who said we have to travel? We can teleport.” Zarina said shrugging her shoulders.I smacked my forehead. I had forgotten that
TYSON’S POV My heart swelled with pride as I saw Aurora perform a hex and spell checker. Living with a witch sister, I had learned to tell one spell from another.My grip on Tiara tightened slightly. I had almost risked my angel’s life. I vowed to be more careful in the future.“Everything is fine now.” Aurora cooed taking Tiara in her arms.Tiara gurgled and flashed one of her best smiles which I believed she had reserved for her mother. It was like being hit by sunshine after weeks of snow.When Aurora took Tiara close to the tree, she raised her hand and touched the tree of her own accord.We waited in anticipation for some signal that the portal was open; maybe a rumbling sound, a storm, or maybe a blinding light but nothing happened.When everything remained the same even after five minutes I had to accept that my idea hadn’t worked.“I tried now it is your chance, Auro
TYSON’S POV We had been following Aurora for what seemed like forever. I was tempted to leave her alone but I didn’t want to take any chances with her safety.“Does she even know what she is doing?” I grumbled, taking ye another turn.Caleb snorted and replied, “So, the great king can’t digest the fact the someone is better than him…”My eyebrows furrowed as I thought about it. Was I jealous of Aurora? I don’t think so. If she could take us out of the maze, I would feel proud; just like I felt proud whenever Aslan outwitted me in childhood.Letting out a deep sigh, I caught up with Aurora who was staring at a tiny passage. Her face lit upon seeing me. “I have been marking all the trees along the way. We have been passing the same trees again and again. These two are the only ones that are not marked. Let us try taking this path.” She gushed excitedly.I didn
CALEB’S POV I watched in awe as Aurora fended off the lion with the torch. It was evident from her face that she was terrified of the lion but she tried to protect us all the same.Today I understood the real meaning of ‘bravery’. It doesn’t mean not being scared, it means fighting for the ones you care about even if you are shaking with fear.Tyson and I were just trying to save our huge egos from getting hurt. It was Aurora who embodied bravery today.The moment the lion left, Aurora fainted. I rushed to hold her but Tyson made it there faster.My eyes widened with horror as I saw her skin turn slightly blue. Tyson sat on a rock and made her lie across his lap, all the while trying to wake her up.My heart skipped a beat when I saw two teeth marks on her ankle. “Holy crap!” I exclaimed as I kneeled to the ground and examined her wound,“What happened, Caleb?”I
TYSON’S POV “We are here looking for something. I was wondering if you could help us…” I said leaning forward.“Paranoid and impatient as ever… You didn’t even ask how this grandma is… How rude…”Clenching my fists I gritted out, “How are you grandma?”She chuckled and replied, “Now that the great king of dragons has called me ‘grandma’ I should be fine, shouldn’t I?”My eyes widened in surprise as I hadn’t expected her to know my identity. She didn’t seem as ordinary as she looked.“Please don’t mind him, grandma. He is helpless by nature..” Aurora said, flashing her a wide smile. Ah! That smile… it could drain you of all anger and pain.“Why would I take offense to my grandson’s behavior?”“Thank you so much, grandma. We are here
CALEB’S POV “Does that mean ‘The Heart of Magic doesn’t exist at all…” I asked in a shaking voice.“Unfortunately, yes son…”My heart sank. What would I tell the Dark Lord, now? He had promised to resurrect my pack on the condition that I will give him the stone once it is recovered.We decided to stay back in the cottage till the morning. Worry and apprehension kept me awake all night. Once I returned, the Dark Lord will find out the truth and God knows how many werewolves will become his prey.Aurora hugged the old lady before leaving. She even promised to bring Tiara here once she had grown older. It was heart-warming to see Aurora form such a wonderful bond overnight.My heart remained cold though. I wanted to feel the warmth, the happiness but there was only darkness; deep and unending...I couldn’t help but wonder; would the things have been differen
TYSON’S POVI sat there dumbfounded for a long time. What was wrong with this girl? It took every ounce of my willpower to confess my feelings for her but in the end, she just ran away without listening to me.Exhaling deeply, I went in search of Caleb and Aurora. The sun had reached close to the horizon and would set soon. I had to find both of them before sunset. It wasn’t a good idea to stay alone in the forest especially at night.After about an hour of toiling, I found Caleb standing at the edge of a steep valley.“What are you doing here?” I asked sneaking upon him. Startled, he turned around so quickly that he almost fell into the valley.“Damn it! Tyson… Can’t you be more thoughtful? Look at the valley… if I fall down... I will be turned into pulp,” Caleb said regaining his balance and taking a few steps away from the edge.Catching his breath he asked, “W
TYSON’S POV My heart pounded against my ribs as we neared the Pearl Palace. I felt a kind of restlessness… as if something bad was going to happen. My pace quickened at this thought.Aurora couldn’t contain herself and all but ran inside the palace. After a few moments, I broke out into a sprint and was about to beat her but then… she teleported.She chuckled seeing my beaten face. “How does it feel to lose, your highness?”I tried hard to restrain the smile that was forming on my lips but failed. Grinning like an idiot I said, “It is a pleasure to lose to you, my love.”Her face flushed and she looked away. Now, it was my turn to chuckle. I wondered if she would accept my love… She did seem to care for me, even attracted to me. But… I didn’t know if she loved me or she still had feelings for Caleb.“Zarina! Aslan! Where is my Little Angel… I