Page 142 of Spar of Hearts

Time became immeasurable. The forest only thickened the further he went, crashing and shoving his way through needled, sappy branches and thickets of thorns. Overhead, the canopy became so dense he couldn’t see a sliver of sky. But he could feel her. He could still feel her. But was she getting closer? Farther? Or was he?

The burning in his lungs forced him to slow, gulping air as he took in his surroundings. Despair seized him. The tree in front of him was familiar, with its knotty hollow and birds’ nest practically dripping twigs and dried grass down its eave.

I’m going in circles.

Twigs snapped as he fell to his knees. The voices seized the moment, twisting up from the forest floor and seeping into the hairline cracks forming in his heart.

You’re too late, they hissed.

You’re useless.

Helpless.

You’re a failure as a knight,

and even worse as a mate.

“I’ll do anything for her,” he cried, “Anything. Anything…”

Anything? an elegant voice asked, drowning out the vitriol. You’ve already done everything.

He straightened, searching for the source. “Who’s there?”

You know me. But more importantly, I know you. I know Anya.

“Help me get to her,” he begged. “Please. She’s the blood in my veins, the breath in my lungs. I…I can’t live without her.”

I know, the voice said. Then two luminous red eyes popped open ahead of him.

A Centarian? A Vampire?

Roderick rose and took a bold step forward. “Are you one of my people?”

I belong to everyone; here and beyond the glacial wall.

The earthy scent of decaying underbrush vanished as a giant white wolf emerged from the fog, lush grass, flowers, and pink blossoms bursting from the forest floor with every light, elegant step it took.

You have come to know me by one name. Your mate, another.

“Mother Moon,” Roderick breathed.

The wolf nodded.

Indeed. I am the Mother Moon, the Divine, the Great Spirits, the Father Sea. I am the wind in your sails and the salt of the sea, the stars in the sky and the light of the moon.

By the end of the sentence, the spirit was nearly nose to nose with him. Its crimson eyes bored into him as it spoke.

Are you truly willing to leave your wealth, your land, your home, your pack…for her?

He nodded. “I am.”

The wolf canted its head. Even if she has already married another?

He didn’t hesitate, falling to his knees and digging his fingers into the thick, white fur of the wolf’s chest. “Yes. I’ll love her from afar. I’ll be her knight. I’ll hold fast to you until you bless us with more lifetimes. I’ll pray she finds me. I’ll have nothing but faith. Faith is enough. Faith is everything. Faith led me to her, to trust her, to show her my raw, unmasked spirit. And it was worth all the pain, no matter what happens in this life. Because all life’s imperfections led me to her.”

And so they shall again. A pleased rumble vibrated in the wolf’s chest. Ethereal love was made for selfless hearts such as yours.

The wolf inhaled deeply, then breathed out the scent of spring from deep within, so sweet, bright, and brimming with life. The fog cleared and the wind whistled through the trees, parting the canopy to reveal a rapidly bluing sky and puffy white clouds—and the sun halfway over the hills to the east.