Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1611 - 53 : Shield of Moonlight

*Briella*

Kryzen gripped my hand tightly as we walked up to the temple an hour later. I drew in a steadying breath, frustrated with myself for breaking down like that right before we were set to leave.

I couldn’t explain the uneasiness I felt in my gut. It was so much more than that. There was a sense of foreboding as well, a dark shadow that seemed to be hovering over me, waiting for me to fail this quest.

I smiled a real smile when Kai and Lillian came rushing toward us. I hugged Lillian first.

“You have to promise to be careful,” she said softly to me.

I squeezed her tightly. “Of course,” I said.

I was relieved that such a sweet girl was going to be there for my brother. Lillian was perfect for him. She had such a gentle spirit. I knew they would be great together.

Kai stepped forward and gathered me in his arms. “You better come back in one piece, Bri,” he told me sternly.

I giggled a little, despite the tears that were welling up in my eyes. “This isn’t goodbye,” I told him, rolling my eyes to make me feel a bit better.

“Of course not,” Kai said firmly, dropping his arms to let him go. “I already had a discussion with Kryzen about that.”

My head whipped in the direction of my mate, who raised an eyebrow at my little brother and gave him a mock glare.

“What discussion?” I asked, looking between them in confusion.

Lillian shrugged, looking just as confused as I felt.

Kryzen wasn’t looking at me. He was focused on Kai, looking both amused and resigned. “He promised to kick my ass if I failed to protect you.”

I gaped first at Kryzen and then at my little brother, who shrugged unapologetically.

“He’s your mate now,” Kai said simply.

I couldn’t help the little snort that escaped me. “You don’t have to worry about me,” I told him. “I was trained in advanced combat as well, you know. If anything, I’ll be the one protecting this reckless jerk.”

It was Kryzen’s turn to snort. He glanced over at me so he could send me an amused look. His laughing gray eyes said very clearly that we both knew Kryzen was physically stronger than me.

I just narrowed my eyes right back at him, wordlessly telling him that the physical strength didn’t matter when I had the skill to take him down anyway.

Lillian looked between the two of us, her thin eyebrows furrowing. “Are you guys okay?”

Kai shook his head in amazement. “They’re having a silent conversation. Maybe we should leave them alone.”

Kryzen chuckled and then wrapped an arm around my shoulders, steering me toward the marble steps leading up to the temple. “We should go in so we can get going.”

The elders all greeted us warmly as we entered, many of them thanking us for saving the valley. I just blushed and nodded politely, still not used to being seen as a hero. The elders gazed at us, at me, like I was some kind of deity.

I smiled warmly at Mathias, the man who had quickly become a father figure to me. Well, he was more like a grandfather with his snowy white hair and deep laugh lines around his eyes and mouth.

He wasn’t laughing now. His blue eyes were grave as they gazed at me a little sadly. “You don’t have to do this, Briella. Your grandmother would have wanted me to keep you safe. Sending you into the unknown is hardly the way to do that.”

As soon as the words left his lips, I pictured my grandmother, Amaya, smiling down at me from her home among the stars. I knew in my heart that his words weren’t true, even though he very well believed them. Grandmother knew that I was on the right path. She helped me to see it.

“I know that I’m doing what’s right,” I told him firmly but gently as well. I knew that he worried about me. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect the valley, my home.”

Mathias nodded, looking much older suddenly. “I wish that I could accompany you, but I am needed here,” he said regretfully. “Ever since I was possessed, there has been a great deal of unrest. Our people need their leaders close right now.”

“I understand,” I said as soon as he was done.

And I did. I knew that Mathias would do anything to protect me, but he also knew that I needed to go. He knew my grandmother. He knew what she was capable of. He likely hoped that her powers were passed down to me as well.

“I’ll protect her with my life, sir,” Kryzen said, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against his side.

Mathias straightened, looking like a stern father about to give his daughter away. “I’ll hold you to that promise, boy,” he said but then sent a teasing wink my way. He then sighed. “I do wish there was more I could do. You are welcome to take some of my men. The guards might be of some use to you.”

I stiffened, not daring to look at Kryzen as I answered. “That won’t be necessary,” I told him. “We could use some guidance as to where to even start looking for the land shrouded in shadows.”

Mathias stroked his white beard as he thought. “I’m afraid I have never heard of such a place. However, you could start by visiting Lumina Mountain. It’s the closest community to us. I’m sure the Alpha and Luna would love to have you. They respected your grandmother very much.”

I glanced at Kryzen, who nodded encouragingly. “Thank you. We will head there right away.”

Mathias nodded. “I will send word of your arrival so they will be prepared to receive you. I have faith that they will be able to answer some insight. They have ways of predicting outcomes such as these.”

Kryzen and I shared a wide-eyed look. That was only a little ominous.

“Now may I see the dagger from your grandmother, Briella?” Mathias asked, holding his hand out expectantly.

I blinked in confusion before obeying, reaching into the sheath at my thigh and pulling the short dagger out. Mathias took it carefully, running his long fingers over the gemstones on the hilt. He turned and headed deeper into the temple to the sanctuary with the glittering pool. He called a couple of elders forward, who stood on either side of him as he dipped the dagger in.

This kind of ritual was often used for protective charms and spells. Mathias and the other elders at his sides started to chant quietly, hovering their hands over the water, causing the surface to glow a brilliant gold that had the rest of us shielding our eyes.

When my dagger was pulled out, it shone brilliantly, the gemstones flickering.

I took my weapon as if it were a scepter. After that little ceremony, it was probably much more precious than any of those staffs meant for royalty.

“I’ve replenished the magic inside of your dagger,” Mathias said gently. “Make sure you always have it on you, Briella. It could very well save your life.”

I straightened and nodded seriously before placing the weapon back in its sheath where it belonged. “Thank you for everything, Mathias. I won’t let you down.”

Mathias stepped forward and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “I know you won’t,” he told me. “The only way you ever could is if you fail to return. So be sure to come back, Briella. Understood?”

I had to smile at the stern tone he took as if he truly was my grandfather. “Of course.”

Mathias ruffled my hair and gently dropped a kiss on my forehead before he turned to Krzyen. “Kryzen Stormfall. As Briella’s mate, you are now officially a member of Celestial Valley.”

Kryzen’s eyes rounded, and he straightened, lifting his chin proudly. “Thank you, sir.”

Mathias smiled at my mate. “I’ve heard that you are able to conjure shields, young man.”

Kryzen blinked in surprise. “Yes, that is correct, sir.”

Mathias looked impressed as he regarded Kryzen. “That is an extraordinary gift, one that could be used in ways that you likely have not come across.” He leaned forward toward my mate, his eyes excited. “I have a gift for you as well, one that will lead to finding these new applications. Would you mind creating a small shield for me?”

Kryzen looked confused. “What?”

“One of a standard-sized, one that you would use to defend yourself in a close combat brawl,” Mathias explained.

Kryzen glanced at me with some uncertainty. I nodded with encouragement, just as confused and curious as he was.

I watched, transfixed as Kryzen fell into a defensive but powerful stance, his feet shoulder-width apart, one in front of the other and one hand extended in front of him. His hand began to glow before a large purple disc appeared in front of him, nearly covering half of his body.

I heard Lillian gasp in wonder while the elders murmured appreciatively. I couldn’t help but beam with pride at their reaction.

Kryzen truly was magnificent.

“Excellent,” Mathias said, stepping up to Kryzen and inspecting the glowing purple shield. He gestured for the other elders to join him. They surrounded Kryzen completely, their hands hovering around the shield.

“Be careful,” Kryzen warned them. “It could burn you.” 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

They nodded and began to chant again, their voices low and echoing in the large chamber. Kryzen’s eyes widened as the shield became brighter, the light coming from it almost as blinding as the sacred pool’s.

We all had to shield our eyes again.

When the elders finished their chants and stepped away, Kryzen’s shield had changed. It had the swirling crest of Celestial Valley in the center with sparkling gemstones and the color of moonlight surrounding it.

Kryzen’s eyes were wide as he stared at the shield as if he had never seen it before.

And in a way, he hadn’t.

I could tell that Kryzen felt the jolt of Embervalean magic flowing through him. It was obvious in the way his eyes widened as he looked down at himself as if he had just emerged from a cocoon.

I knew the feeling well as if every nerve was coming alive within him.

Mathias looked pleased and a little smug about Kryzen’s reaction. “Each time you use your shield, it will be infused with the protective energies of the valley, adding an extra layer against dark magic.”

Kryzen was finally able to shake off some of the shock. Although, when he spoke, he still seemed a bit startled. “Thank you. I will use it well.”

We had stalled long enough. It was time to go.

I knew it was going to be difficult and emotional to leave, but I had no way of knowing just how much. My throat closed up as the elders again thanked us for our bravery and told us that if anything happened, we were to contact them immediately.

“Do not hesitate to come home if anything goes wrong,” Mathias said sternly, gripping my shoulders.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to promise that. I smiled up at him tightly. “If anything goes wrong, Kryzen and I will have each other.”

Kryzen beamed at me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I could feel his support and love through the simple gesture.

The road ahead might have been uncertain, but at least I had my mate by my side.