Aylin's thoughts raced, the gravity of their situation sinking in with each passing second. The pendant was her only means of escape, but it could not be used on the spur of the moment. She needed to ensure Sasha understood, even if the circumstances were not ideal.
She shifted slightly, feeling his grip tighten around her waist while his massive form remained pressed against her. Sasha's body, though feverish, was unwavering in its hold on her, and Aylin couldn't help but notice the way his hand dwarfed hers as it gently covered the pendant in her palm.
"Listen carefully," she said, her voice calm despite the rapid beat of her heart. "This pendant, it's not just about touching it. You must focus, concentrate. Concentrate on the place, the precise location. Picture it in your mind."
Sasha's breathing was labored, but he nodded slightly, his brow furrowed in concentration, still pressing his face to her shoulder. His large hand engulfed hers, warmth radiating from his skin even as his energy flickered and faded.
Aylin paused for a moment, aware of their bodies' closeness and the strange, intimate weight of their common space. She needed him to focus right now, to understand the gravity of what she was about to ask him to do.
"Think about the path you need to take," she added, her words deliberate. "You have been there before, right? Imagine the journey, every turn, every step, until you reach your safe place."
Sasha flexed her fingers slightly, pressing the pendant deeper into her palm. His trembling hand gripped her tightly, as if he were trying to draw strength from her presence.
"I have been there..." he said, his voice low and strained. "But I can't—I can't focus right now."
Aylin's breath caught as he realized how vulnerable his words were. He was exhausted and on the verge of collapse, but she could not let that be an impediment. She needed him to trust her, just as much as he needed to trust the pendant.
"Focus, Sasha," she urged, her voice soft but firm. "Focus on the path, on your home. You are strong. You just need to believe you can reach it."
The world around them appeared to stop breathing for a brief moment. Sasha's body stiffened, his nose brushing against the back of her neck as he focused. She could feel the subtle shift in the air, the heavy pressure that filled the space between them, as though he were summoning every ounce of willpower left to him.
And then, as if a switch had been flipped, the pendant pulsed against her palm. The sensation was like a deep hum that echoed through her bones. The air around them seemed to shimmer, and for a brief, fleeting moment, Aylin felt herself becoming weightless. It was different from how the pendant behaved when she used it alone. How strong was this man?
Sasha's large hand pressed firmly against hers, his grip tightening as the warmth of his body enveloped her.
Aylin's heart raced as the pendant came to life. The world around them twisted, the air thickening with energy, and the room they had once occupied faded into a blur of colors and shifting shadows. They were ripped from their surroundings before she could even get her bearings.
When the world returned to normal, the first thing Aylin noticed was the enormity of their new surroundings. The stone walls towered above them, and the citadel extended far beyond what her eyes could see. It was massive, far larger than anything she had ever seen—an ancient stronghold alive with the whispers of old magic.
There was no mistaking it: they had arrived at his fortress, the place where Sasha's people would help them. Aylin's breath caught in her throat as she gazed around in amazement at the citadel's grandeur. Banners and intricate carvings adorned the walls, serving as a reminder of Sasha's people's history. She had heard about rogues, but this was unlike anything she had ever seen.
The amount of manpower required to guard the area was unimaginable to her; how many people did this man command? Fear began to cripple her back. She hoped she had made the right decision; there was no way she could leave such a place.
Sasha exhaled deeply, his body still pressed against hers, his grip on her waist loosening slightly as he braced himself. "We're here," he muttered, his voice ragged, in her year. Waves of hot breath tingled her ear, sending ripples of sensations she never felt into her body. "You're... you're not afraid, are you?" She winced with the new wave of hot hair, but he tightened his grip on her, keeping her close to him. He was still inhaling her fragrance.
Aylin did not respond right away, her mind still reeling from the journey. She had to get past the shock of their unexpected arrival and focus on the next step.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and she noticed the presence of figures in the shadows, guards, or possibly allies. She could feel the weight of their gazes on her; their curiosity piqued as they watched the two of them arrive, but there was also something else, they didn't trust her. She didn't know how to feel about that, but for sure she couldn't be mad about it. Her pack would react even more aggressively if she were in Sasha's position.
Aylin stood tall, as tall as Sasha's embrace allowed her, still clutching the pendant in her hand, but there was no doubt in her mind: Sasha's people would assist them.
"Let's get you the help you need," she said, her voice steady despite the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "We'll figure out everything else later."
As she spoke, she felt Sasha's hand gently move away from hers, but the other remained on her waist and his head on her shoulder.
His people were already approaching them, and Aylin realized that the next chapter of their journey had only just begun.