"Amari". "Amari". She frowned, cupping some water in her hand she poured it on his face.

Splash!

The warm temperature of the water startled him back, turning he caught the mischievous smile of his best friend.

"Just where were you lost, I have been talking for so long and you just dazed out on me". Brown eyes shot him an accusatory look.

He grimaced, Briar always disliked people not listening when she spoke. "Sorry I was just lost in thought". He apologized.

She pushed back a dangling black curl, her hair was always too wild to tame but still she loved letting it flow freely instead of tying it up. "Hey what's wrong?" She asked as she sat closer to him.

"Nothing is wrong, you worry too much Briar". He stared at the water, though crystal clear and transparent one could never see thier own reflection, it was multi colored the warm temperature caressing his feet softly, he hated that he lied but he could not tell Briar about the strange dreams that tormented him at night, he too did not understand them.

"Oh! Now I know what's bothering you,you are nervous about your betrothal, right?" Her eyes twinkled with a knowing look.

Now that she said it, his mind went to thoughts of his betrothal, just two days away and his life would change forever, all thoughts of his dreams forgotten. "Is it weird that I am worried, I known it's the life of every guardian, but still I am scared, what if he doesn't like me". He admitted, chewing at his bottom lip.

"There's no one who wouldn't like you, you are so pretty, your golden locks shine brighter than the sun and your green eyes put a damp to the shine of the most brightest of gems, you are kind and caring, I could go on with the list, you are an amazing person and your shadow walker will be glad to have you, they are our protectors and remember to question the bond is to question Nyx". She said softly.

Amari nodded, no guardian ever questioned Nyx. "Thanks, even if I know you are my best friend so your words might be biased but I do admit that I really needed that".

"You should be glad, my coming of age ceremony is until next month, at least you get to feel what it is like to be held in their strong arms and loved".

"That's all you ever think about". Amari rolled his eyes.

"Well a lady can dream, and don't you dare say you have never fantasized being held down by those strong arms and taken, I have most certainly fantasized about Fabian, have you seen those muscles and sweet Nyx his he packing down there". She blushed and fanned herself.

"I would love if you keep your fantasies to yourself". Amari scrunched his face in disgust.

"Boring". She muttered.

"Well Briar, I need to get going, have to pick up Freya from school and make dinner". He said as he withdrew his legs from the waters.

"Alright then, bye". She waved still intent on staying by the lake.

✨✨✨✨✨

"Brother can I have a Kessi?" She tugged at the corner of his shirt, brown eyes gazing at the sweet desert displayed by the vendor.

Amari sighed, Freya was obsessed with sweets, this particular desert was made from different berries, so the end result was always sweet and multicolored, a temptation many children could never refuse.

"Only one". He gave in as he took out a coin from his bag and approached the vendor, she smiled in victory when he handed it over to her, wincing when her wound widened a little.

Amari noticed. "Next time don't go fighting in school". "Well he started it, he called me small and said guardians were weak, remember how pa always said to deal with jerks, a push, a hard punch and a knee between the legs". She smiled, Amari winced, his father's teaching were getting out of hand.

"I want to be like pa when I grow up, I will have a really large sword and protect everyone". She giggled immersed in her fantasies, Amari didn't have the heart to break her happiness, no guardian would ever be allowed to hold a sword.

Thankfully it wasn't a long walk, the door of their house already in view, Freya let go of his hands and skipped towards their home and Amari rushed after her scared she would trip on the treacherous snow.

"Pa, I am home". He could hear her loud laughter as she rushed into the house.

✨✨✨✨✨

"You got into a fight again, how long will I have to teach you Freya". Selene scolded her daughter.

"No need to be so harsh dear, the little boy shouldn't have bullied her". Gareth said, it was one of the rare times were he was home and not at the borders, they could have a meal as a complete family and that seemed to soften Selene, for Freya should have gotten a harsher scolding on a normal day.

Sighing at the father and daughter dou, she mumbled. "You spoil her too much".

"Jealous of your daughter?" Gareth chuckled teasingly. "Gareth". Selene scolded. "You will always be the queen of my heart". He laughed as he leaned down to kiss her, Selene blushed a tomato red " Not in front of the kids". She chided, but a smile remained on her lips, Freya giggled and Amari smiled, he hoped he and his betrothed could have want his parents shared, yet the thought of a new life with a stranger frightened him.

"I am off to bed". Amari announced, packing up his bowl of half eaten stew.

"So soon". Gareth frowned, knowing how much his children liked to hear stories of his adventures at the borders, he darted a knowing glance at Selene and she nodded, both knew something was bothering their son.

"Alright dear, good night". Selene kissed his cheek. "Good night, brother". Freya chirped, Amari laughed and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night dove". Gareth kissed his forehead.

✨✨✨✨✨

"Amari".

The call of his name was faint and ethereal sounding both far and near.

"Who is there?" His question was met with silence, he wrapped his arms around himself, the cold biting, he took in his surroundings, the lake he was standing on top was familiar, it was the lake at his village, but he was puzzled, the waters at the lake was always warm despite the bitingly cold weather of Ikran, yet in this strange world the lake was frozen.

Bang

A sound from under his feet startled him as he rushed to look, in abject horror he noticed two small hands from inside the lake banging at the frozen surface trying to break it.

"No". He cried in horror as he turned to run.

Whatever was under there was now impatient as the banging became more furious, he heard the ice crack before he saw it, a thin blue hand reached out and pulled him into the cold lake waters.

The biting chill of the cold waters surrounded him, and his lungs burned from the lack of air, he struggled to see in the darkness as the creature continued to drag him into the depths of the water, the creature was transparent, made purely from water, the speed with which it swam in the water impossibly fast, he struggled against the iron grip of the creature but it was impossible to break free.

As they continued into darker depths Amari felt as though his lungs were about to give out, he felt the grip in his hand disappear, and the darkness that surrounded him seemed smoke-like, its cold tendrils evoking fear.

Amari gasped when a pair of hands wrapped around his neck, choking him.

"I am going to die". Amari thought air fast leaving his lungs, he reached behind and grabbed the hands wrapped around his neck, a white light shot out from his hands and the creature let out a deafening screech.

"Arkhhhhh". It released its grip, the smell of burning flesh filling the air.

"Cough! Cough!". Amari coughed his relief, but his freedom was short-lived as more hands reached out from the darkness, grasping at him almost desperately, their hungry screeches deafening to the ears.

Amari closed his eyes, willing this nightmare to be over, he cracked open an eye when the screeches suddenly stopped, he was no longer in the darkness, but was now standing in a forest, tall lush trees surrounding him, he caught a peek of the moon hidden by the trees, yet there was a deathly stillness in the surroundings, not a single noise from any animal and the air felt stagnant, so the sound of a broken twig was very loud.

Amari caught only the flowing white dress as the figure whipped through the forest.

"Wait". He called out but she didn't stop, Amari darted behind her weaving through the bushes, she was probably a native for she ran as though she had lived here all her life. His feet coming to a stop a the sight before him.

The blood in the snow was an extremely glaring contrast, broken roofs and cracked walls, arrows stuck on fallen bodies, and fire razing down whatever was left.

Amari's eyes widened in horror at the sight of Ikran, or better yet what was left of it.

"No, dear Nyx this is not happening". He cried, eyes locked with the broken figure of the goddess, her lips still curved in a gentle smile, the blood splattered on her face made her look as though she was crying blood.

"You shouldn't be here". A soft voice said, he turned to look at her, it was the lady whom he met in the forest, her long black tresses cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her flowing white dress made it look as if she was standing on a cloud, the large white wings at her back made her look like an angel.

"Who are you? Where you the one who brought me here? Where am I?".Amari asked.

"Who I am, you will come to know in time, I didn't bring you here, you are in the future, this will be the starting point of your life, your journey begins here". She said.

"My future?" Amari was skeptical. " This is not my future, Ikran can't be destroyed".

"I don't know why it chose you, but fate knows the reason for choosing you, you will face challenges like never before, but promise me that you will never give in". Her eyes held a deep solemnity.

"Give in? Give in to what?" Amari felt anxious. She didn't reply, instead gazing at the far distance as though seeing something he couldn't.

"Time is running out, you have spent too long in this realm, you must go now before nothingness claims your soul". She started to fade away body dissolving into tiny white lights.

Suddenly he was overwhelmed with nausea, his feet rushing towards his home before his brain could process why, his heart lurched when he found his home covered in flames.

"Brother help me". "Freya". His heart thudded at her fear-griped tone as he struggled to find her but couldn't as the fire that shrouded their home blazed with increasing fury.

"Amari". "Ma, I am here".

"Amari". "Pa, where are you?". He gasped for air the burning smell choking him, the heat of the fire scorching his face.

"No". He screamed as he watched their home devoured by the flames, the tortured screams of his family ringing in his ear as the flames devoured them.

✨✨✨✨✨

"No". He jolted from the bed with a scream.

Amari's eyes widened as he gasped, body drenched in sweat, heart beating at a speed that would soon cause him a heart attack. The sweet floral scent of the darneas his mother had planted in the garden, brought in by the wind through his open windows, Freya's happy giggles as Gareth chased her round the house, and Selene scolding them not to break anything, helped him melt back to his reality.

"That's right, it's just a nightmare". He assured himself as he ran a hand through his disheveled bed hair, he got up from the bed and went down the stairs in bare feet.

The sight of his mother making pancakes in the kitchen, and Freya fighting against their father who was playing the villain in whatever fantasy she had cooked up, brought tears to his eyes.

Selene was the first to notice his presence. "Do you think you are still a child roaming barefooted in your bed clo...". She trailed off as she met his tear-filled eyes, her frown melting, a worried look filling her eyes, Gareth and Freya too had already stopped their play.

Amari rushed down, stumbling into his mother's hug, her arms tightened behind his back, he felt Freya's small hands wrapped around his waist, as his father's muscular arms wrapped around them all, he savored the feeling, his family was here, alive, warm and solid.

"What's the matter, baby?" Selene asked.

"Nightmare". Amari sniffed.

"There, there it's alright now, you are safe Ari". Gareth's soft voice was a sharp contrast to his rough timbre yet it soothed Amari.

"Now what is this, such a big boy still crying over nightmares, where did my brave little knight go". Selene teased laughingly. Amari laughed, a watery laugh, but one that filled him with joy, they remained like that until the smell of burning pancakes filled the air.

"Oh dear Nyx, breakfast is ruined". Selene groaned as she disentangled from the hug and struggled to salvage what was left of breakfast.

Gareth laughed. "Well, it won't be the first time we are having burnt pancakes for breakfast".

Selena glared at him.

"What, when we got married you couldn't cook". Gareth shrugged

She gasped. "Oh! So I am a bad cook".

"I didn't mean that sweetheart, you cook better than the lyrtes, I swear". He rushed to explain.

"But you said I cooked burnt food". She argued. "

That was only when we first got married".

"So you lied, you said I made the most delicious of meals when we got married". Selene's voice was alighted with fury. Gareth grimaced, stuttering over his words as he rushed to soothe his angry wife.

"Pa is such a mess I bet it's going to take a week before Ma will forgive him". Freya giggled, her soft hands still gripping his, Amari chuckled in acquiescence, but his mother remained frowning as she dumped the pancakes in the bin, his father still all over her as he begged for forgiveness, Freya watched it all with glee, one of the chairs was missing a leg, no doubt due to his father, Freya's sword tossed on the floor, they probably needed to repair the roof it was leaking in many places, the door creaked when it was pushed open and a few steps were broken, but this was his family, his home and he wouldn't change anything even for the world, he didn't believe in the dream, he was going to do everything to protect his family and keep them alive, that was not his future, he refused.

"No thanks, I am good".

"You sure? One dance wouldn't hurt". The man was persistent.

"I don't feel like dancing and besides I am a terrible dancer, you will end up with wounded feet if you dance with me". Amari replied, the man shrugged and left, probably to find another dance partner.

Turning down for the umpteenth time yet another offer for a dance, Amari signed taking a sip of the liquid in his cup, he didn't know what it was but it tasted sweet and Briar assured him that it was non-alcoholic, he looked around trying to find Briar in the entangled mess of bodies, dancing around the bonfire in the center of the clearing, she was in her element, her silver cloak and red dress flowing with her movements as she danced happily in the arms of a shadow walker, her smile bright.

"Dear Nyx, I shouldn't have let Briar talk me into this". He groaned inwardly, parties were not his thing, Amari would have much preferred laying on his bed, curled under his sheets and well-warmed as he read through cheesy romance stories, but here he was, surrounded by loud music, dancing couples, and happy chatters, but he wasn't the only one not dancing, a few couples sat whispering among themselves, others tired or probably drunk also sat down, so he didn't stick out like a sore thumb, hopefully.

The sweet scent of lavender, informed him of Briar's arrival as she slumped on the log he was sitting on.

"Tired?". He laughed as she laid her head on his shoulder, chest heaving and brown skin glistening with sweat.

"You bet, my feet are on fire". She huffed.

"Well, you were always free to refuse them".

Amari said as he watched the dancing couples in the center.

"And miss out on all that fun? No way, this is the closest to freedom we will ever have, so I am going to live it". She laughed.

"He looks like he wants to dance with you again". Amari nudged her, he had caught the shadow walker she finished dancing with still gazing in their direction.

Briar sat up, removing her head from his shoulder, her eyes catching that of the shadow walker, she smirked and winked at him, Amari thought he saw the boy's cheek redden, but couldn't be sure from the distance.

"No more dancing for me, else I want my feet to fall off". She snorted. "Now you, on the other hand, have done nothing but play wallflower since I brought you here, I brought you here to have fun and loosen up, you have been tense for days". Briar frowned.

Amari sighed gazing at what was left in his cup, she was right he had been tense, every day he feared that his dream might just happen, he feared sleeping these days, the nightmares of blood and darkness tormenting him.

"You are going to be bonded tomorrow, this is your last chance at having fun, enjoy it while you can". Briar said softly.

Guardians were meant to keep themselves pure and untouched for their betrothed, any form of relationship was strictly forbidden and if caught was met with banishment and disgrace, while Briar might dance and flirt with the shadow walkers, it was how far she could ever go.

"I thought you always wanted to be bonded, it's what you ever talked about, what you always dreamed about". Amari argued.

"Yes, but it's because it's the only thing we are allowed to dream about, sometimes I wish to go outside, and see what it's like outside of Ikran, Lumeria is so large, yet we are confined to such a small part of it, fall in love, maybe save a kingdom, but that's only for the heroines in those books we read". She gazed at the moon and laughed softly, her eyes dark and obscured with a hint of sadness.

Amari placed his hand on hers, while the thought of giving his life to a stranger scared him, he had never once thought of leaving Ikran, it was where his family lived, the only home he had ever known, he couldn't picture life outside of this small, cold and beautiful place.

"We can't leave Ikran, never will, the darkness out there will gobble us up, you don't have to look so worried, I am not some foolish heroine who is going to run away to chase something that might not even be real". Briar rolled her eyes at Amari's worried look, he laughed gently, glad that Briar was back to her usual self.

They sat in comfortable silence, just watching the others dancing and singing.

"Still not going to consider dancing?" She asked, the previous conversation they pretended as though they had never had.

"I am bad at dancing, I fear that I will make them mad when stepping on their toes". Amari said he didn't wish to dance with anyone, content in his space and being warmed by the fire.

"Alright then, dance with me". Briar laughed as she stood up, pulling an unwilling Amari along with her to the stage as she danced with him, soon he danced alongside, laughing and moving in wild steps, to wherever the music took them.

✨✨✨✨✨

"You are mine". He whispered aggressively, eyes burning with lust as he held her against the wall.

"No, it's impossible, I can never belong to you, I love Vincent". She glared at him, though her body burned from the heated look in his eyes.

He growled, anger coursing through his blood, as his mate mentioned that her heart belonged to another, he stepped closer, his hands trailing down her neck.

"Your mouth claims such, but look how fast your heart beats for me, your body reacts so beautifully to my touch". He trailed his nose in the crook of her neck, while she struggled to stifle a moan.

"I can smell your arousal, beloved". He whispered in her ear, one hand cupping her breast.

Knock! Knock!

He tore his gaze away from the book he had been absorbed in, now back in his room after the dance, he couldn't find sleep and settled on reading instead.

"Who is it?". "It is me, dear". His mother's voice sounded from outside the door.

Pushing the sheets he had wrapped his legs in from his body, he climbed down the bed and unlocked the door, Selene stood on the other side, dressed in a peach colored night dress, she held two mugs of steaming tea, Amari shifted to the left so she could enter and locked the door after her.

"The Dragon prince's mate". Selene laughed as she traced a finger at the black leather bound of his book, the tea now placed on the small bedside table.

"Ma". Amari blushed as he snatched the book from her and hurriedly shoved it inside the drawer, she watched his actions with amusement in her eyes.

"No need to be so shy, I too enjoyed such books in my younger days, it would interest you to know that in my days, there was a heated debate by the council if such books should be allowed to be read, they were banned from being sold in Ikran for two years".

"Really?" Amari asked, surprised there was a time were such books were banned, he would surely die from boredom if that ever happened.

"Of course". Selene replied, as she patted at the space beside her on the bed where she sat, Amari getting the hint took the spot.

"So how was the party?" Selene asked. "It was nice". Amari replied. "Figured we could do some talking over some herbal tea, your grandma's recipe". She said as she handed him one of the cups and took one herself.

"I am scared". He admitted as he took a sip, the floral and sweet taste filling his mouth, smiling at the nostalgic taste, reminding him of his grandmother. "I know I shouldn't be, but still I worry, a life without you, Dad, and Freya, I am moving in with a stranger I never knew and dear Nyx am I even ready for children". He continued.

"I was scared too, but then look how me and your father turned out, you will be happy, your betrothed will be your protector they will love and cherish you and you don't have to worry about children, you can have them whenever you are ready". Selene smiled. "You think so?" Amari asked. "I know so. Now stop worrying and go to sleep, you don't want to meet your betrothed while having eye bags." Selene laughed as she hugged him, running her fingers through his soft locks.

"Thanks, Ma". Amari whispered as he moved out of the hug. "Good night". She kissed his forehead as she stood up from the bed. "Good night Ma". Amari stood up and locked the door after she left, diving under the covers and willing the gentle hands of sleep to take him, no nightmares this time, he prayed.

✨✨✨✨✨

The thick white fur on its body camouflaged it so easily with the snow, icy blue eyes watching the plume bird as it fished from the river, the fur on its head was longer falling to the left, it jumped down from the tree soundlessly, it's tails swishing behind.

The Yslair was a creature known for its beauty and power, a predator on the food chain, it stalked forward to its oblivious prey, ears twitching it stopped eyes snapping towards the dark woods, but no creature was in sight, it went back to stalking it's meal.

Whoosh!

The Yslair jumped slightly, but still, an arrow was embedded in its leg, thick blue blood staining its white fur it growled, eyes turning a darker shade of blue, the plume bird now startled released a caw and flew away, and the darkness in the woods began to solidify and soon took the shape of a man.

Man and beast watched each other, the Yslair growled, body moving in a fast blur, suddenly it was thrown down by its own shadow, it stood up and released a howl, two ice spears forming and flew towards the man.

A shield made from shadows blocked the man from the ice spears.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two more arrows shot out one piercing the Yslair's stomach, the other unable to penetrate its chest, as ice protected it, but the man was not worried, the poison would soon start slowing it down.

The Yslair tried to summon its magic but was unable to, even its wounds were not healing, the body becoming weaker, it sensed its approaching death and growled, eyes turning red.

The man shifted, knowing the Yslair was about to enter berserk mode, where it would shatter its energy core, killing both itself and its attacker, knowing how dangerous an energy explosion was, he moved, body melting into the shadows, and came out of the Yslair's shadow, the Yslair already entering into berserk mode could not dodge the attack, the dagger piercing it's chest straight into its heart, it released one unyielding howl, and crashed down on the floor, eyes dimming into blankness.

Donavon unlatched his dagger from the Yslair's chest, thick blue blood spurting out, he remained unfazed, but knew it was wise to leave quickly before other predators, especially the Yslair's parents were attracted by the smell of blood.

Slumping its body on his shoulder, the heavyweight feeling like paper, he flashed in a blink, body melting into the shadows.

✨✨✨✨✨

"Commander is such a powerful man, killing a three-tailed Yslair in such a short time, and look how huge it is". One man whispered to his companion watching Donavon's retreating figure, as they warmed themselves in the fire, the borders of Ikran were ten times colder than the village itself.

"That's the level we can only look up to, I remember the time I saw a one-tailed Yslair, I almost wetted myself, it had taken five men to kill it". His companion replied, pulling his cap tighter around his head as he breathed cold air into his gloved palm.

"Tch! The men at the camp are going to be having a real feast, I have heard Yslair meat tastes divine". The first man sighed in envy if only he wasn't at camp patrol for the day.

"No need to be envious, they won't be able to muster the courage to ask the commander for meat". The other man said. "I wonder when we will have our next break, my wife is due soon". He sighed.

"Me too, can you believe my little Arabella can now write, my wife attached a paper of her handwritten words in the letter she sent me". The other man laughed proudly.

"Really?". "Of course, I will show you when we are back in camp tomorrow".

✨✨✨✨✨

"Dear friend, I heard you caught a feast on your hunt". The loud voice was followed by a boisterous laugh and footsteps as the person joined Donavon at the back of his tent.

Donavon frowned at the loud noise but said nothing, as he watched Alex walk to join him, his brown curls, bouncing on his head, a wide grin on his lips as he sat beside him on the log.

He had made quick work of the Yslair, its fur already being dried, meat washed and cut as a few roasted on the fire.

"Smells nice, I am not leaving without a taste". Alex said, as the scent of spices tickled his hunger, oil dripping down the meat in sweet temptation.

"You can have as much as you want, give some to the men too, I won't be able to finish so much on my own anyway". He shrugged pointing to the bowl full of meat, as he went back to sharpening his dagger.

"Thought you would be gone by now, it's your matchmaking ceremony tomorrow, I pity the poor guardian who will be betrothed to you, having to deal with your dead-faced look". He laughed.

Donavon glared at him."As though you aren't a handful yourself, poor Dina saddled with you". He snorted. "What's got you so happy anyways?" He asked, Alex was always a happy fellow but there was something different today.

Alex smiled. "I am going to be a father, Dina informed me of it in her letter". Donavon's eyes widened, and he pulled Alex into a hug. "Congratulations". "Thanks, friend".

They remained comfortably sitting by the fire, eating meat, drinking wine, and discussing baby names.

✨✨✨✨✨✨

After sending a drunk Alex, who had become an emotional mess back to his tent, Donavon gathered his belongings, clothes packed in his bag, he pushed his cloak tighter around him, gazing at the tent that while sparsely furnished, was the closest to home to him, he left, departing for Ikran.