Faris blinked, his mouth slowly opened as he grappled at her words but finally nodded. He didn’t understand why Aiko had requested this.
Was it purely out of guilt?
Or was she this understanding?
His expression hardened slightly. He had pulled back his top hair in a man bun today, giving him a more mature and serious look. He had matured profusely since Ara’s passing.
"All right!" He stifly said, the memories of Ara had woven into his heart and it bled with every reminder.
The wind suddenly picked up and flapped against their warm cloaks.
Aiko offered a small smile and placed the box Lana had given her inside her satchel. She then went ahead towards the oasis, which housed numerous flowering bushes now. She chose two pink flowers and plucked them from their stems before returning to Faris.
She quietly extended one of the flowers towards him and he accepted it without a word.
With unsure steps, they went behind the dwelling where the resting place of pack members was situated.
Tall trees had bloomed from the graves they had been sown on and Aiko was stunned to see such a sight. She had never observed such a peculiar burial site before. In her lands, they cremated their dead.
He guided Aiko towards the one which had a relatively smaller plant and looked newer than the others.
"Here!" Faris couldn’t keep the quiver away from his voice. His eyes latched onto her grave, a remembrance of what she used to be carried on the wings of this cold wind and he hoped her spirit was at peace.
Aiko approached with calm steps and kneeled before the grave. Placing the flower near the stem of the plant that had sprouted from it and was gently swaying in the wind, she let her hand linger on the soil.
Retracting them she brought her palms together and offered a silent prayer with her eyes closed and asked for forgiveness.
Faris closed his eyes and did the same as he kneeled right beside his mate.
"Forgive me!" He sent a silent whisper and placed the flower right beside Aiko’s.
The peace that seeped into his heart at that moment was enough to edge him to bend down and place his hand on the soil of her resting place.
Soothingly calm, his fears eased and he knew this was the correct decision.
Aiko’s reassuring hand rested on his back and he leaned into her.
She didn’t say a word, nor did he.
It wasn’t needed, their gestures were enough.
"She is at peace, I can sense it," Aiko whispered to him.
"Me too," Faris quietly agreed while staying closer to Aiko. Her scent had these calming notes for him.
It was time to leave.
When they returned towards the front side the carriage had been brought forward. The ladies were to travel in it. Men had decided to take turns driving it while the other two would ride along on their steeds.
They knew at some point they might have to ditch the carriage and travel on horses or maybe on foot but until that time, they wanted the women to be at ease.
"Both of you, remember whatever might come your way, you will find a way around it. Every problem comes with a solution. And if anyone can return victorious, it’s you both." Haylia collectively hugged her son and her daughter-in-law. Passing her pearls of wisdom to them.
"We will, Ma. The Pack is under your supervision. Ranon will be the Alpha but you will be his support and advisory." Siroos placed his hand on his mother’s shoulder. His gorgeous eyes held love for her. The apprehensions between them had resolved now that they were all on the same page.
"In case of any attack, call Argant. Although I trust in our warriors to ward off any such threats plus the boundary spells will hold," Siroos instructed.
"Yes, I have just reinforced them this morning. I have wound them in a way that no one with malice in their hearts can enter the borders of our pack," Cassandra also reassured her mother-in-law.
"Don’t worry about the pack. I am not that old to not be able to defend it. This body still holds power," Haylia proudly said, making the duo laugh and hug her again.
Lotus was climbing into the carriage, and as usual, Razial wished to help and got in the way.
"Commander, I can climb inside without you having to baby me. Move back," she sternly ordered, making him take a step back so he wouldn’t get more scolding with his hands raised.
Lotus had chosen her signature baby pink colour for her coat. She wasn’t going to wear the dull browns and blacks like the others. Her hair was neat and primed with tons of hair accessories as well. One would think she was going to attend a ball and not head over to the end of the world in search of a tree no one knew about.
Aiko said farewell to her brother and mother.
"Armond, be good and take care of Mama. I will return soon." She hugged her brother.
"You are lucky to go on an adventure with the Alpha of Alphas. The dragon alpha. I wish I could accompany you," he wistfully said, throwing a lingering glance towards Siroos, who was speaking to his own mother.
Aiko had to bite her lip seeing her brother’s obsession with Siroos.
"When we return, I will put in a word with the Alpha to take you under his tutelage. How does that sound?" Aiko asked with a wink.
"That sounds like you are the best sister in the world." His eyes sparkled like two diamonds as he threw his arms around his sister. Their mother watched them in pure satisfaction.
Saying her goodbyes, Aiko was next to climb in. Most of the pack members hadn’t been informed of her power. They didn’t want unwanted attention towards Aiko and with spies lurking, they couldn’t risk it. So the plan was to open a portal when they had travelled a distance from the pack.
Finally, Cassandra waved her goodbyes and was led by her mate to enter and settle in the carriage.
He held her hand until she had climbed and settled down. She blew him a kiss before Siroos closed the door with a satisfied smile on his face, reserved only for his goddess.
"You two seemed to have stepped out of some fairytale," Aiko swooned at their interaction, making Cassandra’s cheeks heat up a little more.
"Should have seen them when they met. It was quite entertaining," Lotus guffawed, placing her pink glove hand on her perfectly painted lips.
"It’s a long journey, we will keep you entertained." Cassandra winked and poked her head out so she could wave at her pack.
Nostalgia slightly settled in her heart to be leaving this place, which had become her real home, but she knew she would return.
Faris took the carriage reins while Siroos and Razial were on either side of the carriages on their sturdy steeds.
The little cavern left the lands of Dusartine towards new adventures in the world of deities, mythical creatures and unknown lands.