Heart Over Sword-Chapter 277: Journey back to Dunhurst (1)

The snow would have once been unwelcoming, especially after their journey to the palace, which almost cost them their lives on multiple occasions. They’d mourned Ger’s death for two days. Now, Evanna stared at it in wonder once more whilst whistling a happy tune as the horse beneath her manoeuvred through the thick snow.

The king and queen offered their snowland horses. All of them were white with fluffy hooves and their colouring camouflaging with the backdrop of Lyvarian snow. Already, the horses had ventured further than what they would have done by foot in one day. Leading ahead, like usual, was Garrett and Axel. Evanna and Arawn followed behind, with Ronan and Ger at their back.

Evanna did not find it strange to be the only woman again; she was accustomed to the men and was comfortable with everybody there. Before their departure, she managed to find Fiza, or should she say, the night fae found her. She popped out of nowhere just as Evanna returned to her bed chamber to collect her bag.

After everything that had happened, Evanna accepted the truth Fiza told her. Her blood-related father was not King Osian, but the previous king, Selvin, Osian’s brother, was the one to fall in love with her mother. Fiza didn’t have all of the details, but Evanna learnt that they did marry and were returning to Dunhurst before Selvin fell ill.

Once the information was disclosed to Evanna, Fiza turned away as though her job was done. But the fae did not make it far before the princess hugged her. At first, Fiza remained stiff, blinking in confusion at being touched and embraced.

"Thank you for all that you have done. You are a much better person than you claim yourself to be. I will never forget you, and I am glad to call you my friend," Evanna said quietly.

Fiza melted within seconds, feeling her throat tighten and tears spring to her eyes at how this princess welcomed her without prejudice and accepted her snarky nature. "It has been an honour. If ever you need me, I will help you," Fiza replied, hugging her back before stepping away, her features composed once more.

"How will I know how to reach you?" Evanna questioned.

"Call out my name."

"How..." Evanna trailed off as Fiza turned away, ignoring her incessant questions.

Evanna smiled now as she glanced at the white sky, breathing in the chilled air. It sure was nice not to walk.

"Let us rest here," Arawn suggested as he dismounted, following Garrett’s lead towards a cluster of fir trees providing shelter from the steadily intensifying wind.

Evanna hopped off next and stroked the horse’s face, her heart clenching as she thought about Midknight.

"While we are here, Ger can figure out how to transform into his dragon," Garrett said, turning his head in Ger’s direction.

Evanna followed his gaze, her mouth gradually dropping. "Huh?" What marvellous manners as a princess! Evanna internally rolled her eyes.

However, she was once again with those she was comfortable around to drop all acts. She had yet to find out what really happened to Ger, but she patiently waited until they would stop moving again to sit by his side and listen.

It sounded more complicated and possibly exciting than Evanna anticipated. Ger could transform into a dragon?

Ger scratched the back of his neck. "It’s not really interesting-"

"Oh, hell no. You’re not starting with that again!" Ronan exclaimed, shaking his head as he stared at Ger. "Go.. Tell Evanna. We’ll set up camp."

Ronan ushered Ger towards Evanna, waving his hands as though he was sending them off. Evanna kissed Arawn’s cheek and squeezed his hand, holding his gaze before wandering off with another man who had been in love with her. Arawn did not appear jealous or annoyed and simply turned from the best friends to help with setting up the magical tents.

Ronan remained on guard whilst the trio of men set up camp, and Evanna led the horses to the side. The stable boys mentioned that they never needed to be tied up, and if they were left for longer than four hours, they would start to return to the palace. They had enchantments on them so that they would never be attacked and were smart enough to always know their return journey.

"So... You can change into a dragon?" Evanna began, nudging him to spill his secrets. Seeing him in person still felt surreal. Her eyes stung for a moment as she came back to the realisation that her best friend was alive and well. Or as well as she was aware of.

Ger nodded as he kneeled, closing his eyes.

"How did that happen?" Evanna probed as her gaze moved to the large dragon sword on his back. It suited him, and she was glad it found an owner. Even if the last time she saw Ger until now was him striking the dragon with that sword.

Ger proceeded to tell Evanna about everything that happened to him, including the dragon’s words. Evanna listened carefully, and the more she listened, the more she realised that once this journey ended, her best friend would no longer be around her. He was not dead, but he could not survive without doing his deed.

If Ger did not slay his kind, then he would become more beast than man. "Is there a timer for this? Do you need to find them right away?" Evanna asked, worried about Ger’s well-being. "If you need to leave now..." She swallowed her emotions. "Then do so."

Evanna had lost him once before, but with this, at least she would know he was fighting and trying to survive. She would worry about him, though, if she never heard from him again. She barely accepted it when Ger ventured off with Ronan and Axel to slay monsters. He did not write to her once.

Ger shook his head. "I have some time. I want to see Lady Loraven and my mother before I leave," he said quietly, his eyes lowering to the snow.

"I need to change into this other form anyway. It is best to try now."

Evanna nodded, watching his darkening expression and trying not to gaze at his reptilian-like right eye. "I will let you concentrate then." She stepped back and watched from a distance, feeling bad she couldn’t help him.

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