The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 76

As we began nearing what I assumed was their camp, I could already sense that we were close. I started hearing more sounds–voices, laughter, and the unmistakable sound of children playing. It was nothing like what I had anticipated.

When we stepped out of the dense treeline, I finally caught sight of their home. It was breathtaking–like something out of a fantasy. There weren’t any conventional houses, but the people there appeared content, gathered around a lake fed by a cascading waterfall. Flowers I had never encountered before decorated the area, some even seeming to move as if they were alive. Towering trees formed a natural canopy, their branches arching high above us, allowing rays of sunlight to spill through wherever they could. The entire scene was so enchanting that I found myself completely awestruck.

However, it didn’t take long before I realized the area had fallen into complete silence. While I had been absorbed in admiring everything around me, the rest of the inhabitants had taken notice of me–and all eyes were now fixed in my direction.

“Malric, I’m so happy you’re back,” a woman said, hurrying toward him. They touched their foreheads together in what appeared to be their version of a greeting or embrace.

“I promised I’d only be away for a couple of days, my love,” Malric replied.

“You said you were just going to scout the area to ensure there were no threats nearby. You never mentioned returning with the Queen,” she said, casting a glance in my direction.

“Queen?” I echoed, confused.

“You are the Queen, aren’t you?” Malric asked, turning to me.

“I’m not sure, honestly. My mother is still alive,” I replied hesitantly.

“We’re well aware of her. But she isn’t the Queen–you are,” he stated firmly.

“Oh… alright then,” I responded, still trying to process everything.

“Let me introduce you to my wife. This is Amelia,” Malric said, gesturing toward the woman.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said politely.

“The pleasure is mine,” she said with a graceful bow.

“You don’t need to bow to me. But seriously, how does everyone here seem to know who I am?” I asked, bewildered.

“You’re the prophesied one. The prophet. Everyone recognizes you because you’re destined to save us all,” Malric said.

“Save everyone? From what exactly?” I asked, my confusion deepening.

“From the black witch. Though we never expected you to bring her into this world,” he added.

“She’s here?” Amelia said sharply, fear clearly laced in her voice.

“I understand she’s powerful, but why is she such a threat to your realm?” I asked.

“Could you prepare something for the Queen to eat so we may begin dinner?” Malric asked Amelia calmly.

“Certainly,” she responded before heading off.

When the meal was ready, everyone gathered around an enormous campfire, which seemed to be their usual place for sharing dinner. I found a spot on a log near the fire, and as we ate, they began telling me everything they knew–things I hadn’t had the faintest clue about.

“The black witch has never physically crossed into this dimension before. But she’s been summoning beings from here, sending them into your world to carry out her commands,” Malric began explaining.

“I’m aware. She’s already sent several of them after me. It was at my father’s bidding. She wanted to eliminate my mate and drag me back to him,” I replied grimly.

“It was common knowledge that the ultimate goal was to merge the two realms. And I don’t think I need to explain how catastrophic that would’ve been. Complete disorder. Utter insanity. But your role was always to prevent that from happening–which you did. The downside is, it left you stranded in this realm… and evidently, it also brought the black witch along,” Malric said.

“I truly didn’t mean to bring her here. Has anyone seen her yet?” I asked, my tone cautious.

“No, there haven’t been any confirmed sightings yet. But rumors are already beginning to spread that she’s arrived,” Malric said.

“That’s unbelievably quick. We only got here earlier today,” I responded.

“I understand. But you need to realize something–time flows differently in this world. It doesn’t align with the way it works in yours,” he explained.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“We’ve always believed that time here runs at a slower pace than it does in your realm.

Though it may feel like half a day to you here, much more time has likely passed back in your world,” he told me.

“Damn it. I can’t stay in this place. Elias must be losing his mind by now,” I muttered.

“I promised you we’d get you home. And we will. But first, we need your help. You have to help us stop the black witch before she tears this realm apart–before she ruins everything pure and good that exists here,” Malric urged.

As badly as I wanted to return, I couldn’t deny the truth in his words. He was right. I had a responsibility to help them take her down.

I was the reason she ended up here. I couldn’t just abandon them to face what I brought into their world. That would be cowardly.

She’s wicked and dangerous, and she will wreck anything wholesome in her path without hesitation.

I already knew this world was filled with dangerous beings. The last thing I wanted was to make it worse by leaving her here.

“Alright, then. What do we do? How do we even start looking for her?” I asked.

“We’ll need to go out and search for her. But if she’s figured out that you’re in this realm, then she’ll be waiting. And you can bet she’ll be ready to throw everything she’s got at you,” he warned.

“She’s already done that before. I survived. I’ll do it again if I have to,” I said confidently.

“And that’s exactly why you’re the Queen. You didn’t flinch for even a second, another man nearby added.

As night settled over the camp, everyone started to get into their sleeping spots. There were no shelters or buildings–everyone simply slept out in the open. It was like they were permanently living in a campsite.

But I felt restless, too tense to close my eyes.

I made my way over to the lake and stood watching the waterfall as it poured into the still water below. The gentle sound of the rushing water was oddly soothing. Eventually, I sat down beside the lake, resting against the trunk of a tree that stood at its edge.

My eyes scanned the camp where the Aetherion had all laid down. They genuinely looked peaceful, calm. Nothing about them suggested they wanted to harm me. Still, I wasn’t about to fully relax around them.

Like I’d told them earlier, trust doesn’t come easily to me. I’ve met far too many people who wore false faces. These creatures could very well be hiding their true intentions too–for all I knew, they might be planning to turn me over to the black witch.

But right now, I didn’t have many alternatives. I had to remain here, and I had to give them at least some of my trust–for now.

A few of us were leaving in the morning to begin our search, and I was utterly unfamiliar with this place.

I turned my gaze back to the lake and found myself thinking about Elias–how panicked he must be, not knowing where I was.

“I’m coming, Elias. Please, don’t stop believing in me,” I whispered. Then I leaned my head back against the tree and slowly closed my eyes, hoping I could finally get some rest.