Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!The Grove of Hath Abril felt at ease when she was by Alessandro's side, as if she were home after a long journey. "Really?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "If my presence bothers you, you can always sleep elsewhere," she replied, trying to mask her concern. "No, I'm not thinking about that. It's just a bit uncomfortable in these tents. I don't want to flee," he assured her. "I'm glad to hear you say that. When you're not around, I feel lost," she confessed. Alessandro wanted to kiss her, but he hesitated, not wanting to make her uncomfortable or feel pressured to leave."I have a lot of work to do, but I'm prepared," he said, shifting the conversation. "I'm also saying goodbye to Cassian. He should have left by now." "I believe he has gone. I think he'll leave soon," Abril replied. "Honestly, the guardian may have a quote?" he mused, his brow furrowing. "That's right. I want to believe that. I hope this war will end faster with him here." "I hope so too. I want everything to be ready as soon as possible," she said, her voice steady. Alessandro removed his clothes and stepped into the stale room. When he returned, Abril had gotten up and washed her face."What will you do today?" she asked, her voice soft but curious. "I need to find their weak points to know how to destroy them," he replied, determination in his tone. "Are you with Fay?" she inquired, concern creeping into her voice. "Yes, she knows a lot about dragons. You'll meet Princess Sephora again," he assured her. "I'm still clear about our terms. I think I will continue negotiating with them. They need us; we are the only ones who can provide the weapons they need to fight against them.Even if I don't like it, you are my queen, and I want to respect you." When Abril heard that, she felt much calmer. She had hated the idea of Alessandro getting close to Princess Sephora, fearing he might fall in love with her. She had left behind all her promises, as none of them seemed to matter anymore. Alessandro appeared troubled, his worries evident. "I won't get closer to the prince. I'll go outside, I promise you." "Thank you for being so considerate," Abril replied, relief washing over her. "I want to respect you as my wife, and I'll come back.It's comfortable to be by my side, just as it is for me," he said, his tone earnest. "Every few hours, I get tired," she admitted. "Tarik feels the same." They looked at each other, both aware of the challenges ahead. As they reached the Forest of Hath, the sun dipped behind the horizon, casting shadows that hinted at the night to come. They descended into a small clearing, aware that they could not continue their search for the village of the guardians much longer. While they rested, Tarik asked, "Does Lissana enjoy the kingdom?" "In the Cathedral, this kingdom is her home.But it has been built on the land of the fairies. Perhaps for her, the land of the fairies feels more like home than Cosset," he replied thoughtfully. "But she will come back here," Tarik insisted. "Yes, because her family and her life are here," he said firmly. "I would love to see the human kingdom with her, but I know that can never happen," Tarik added wistfully. "You can come and visit whenever you want. You will always be welcome," he assured him. "Thanks for saying that! When I become king, I can't wait for the king to die," Tarik joked, trying to lighten the mood."Are you sure you're safe?" Cassian asked, concern etched on his face. "I want to protect my kingdom and all its inhabitants. This is a decision I've made, and I won't change my mind." Cassian didn't know Lissana well, but he thought about her determination. "I hope you don't regret your decision," he said quietly. "Me too," Tarik replied, his gaze drifting to the sky. Tarik fell to the ground, using his arms as a pillow, staring up at the beautiful starry sky of the fairy realm. He hoped they would return soon, so he could see Lissana again.They continued searching for the village of the guardians, trying to spot it from the sky, but the towering trees obscured their view. They descended and began searching the ground. They searched throughout the day, but luck was not on their side. As they scoured the surroundings, Tarik asked, "Is there any clue to find the village of the guardians?" "No. Cassiel just said it was easy to find. I should look for the biggest tree in the forest, which is in the middle of the village. But we've been searching from the sky and haven't found anything.I think I should ask Ale for instructions from my mother. I don't believe what Cassiel told me," he said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Hmm... maybe there's a barrier protecting the village, which is why we haven't seen it from above," Tarik suggested. "It's been a long time since anyone lived in the village, which takes something away from it," Cassian added. They ventured deeper into the woods, trying to find their way. At one point, they ended up running in circles. Tarik stopped and said, "We're not getting anywhere.We're just going in circles." "I've been told this before, but I don't understand why. Let's go straight. Where did we go astray?" Cassian asked. "In the middle of the forest, I'm sorry. That's why we're lost among the plants, but here in the clearing, there's nobody," Tarik replied. They began marking the trees to ensure they wouldn't return to the same spot. Eventually, they stumbled upon some rocks that had been unearthed. Cassian recognized the symbols and recalled what he had learned in his language class. "These rocks say we should go back," he said.noveldrama"Do you understand what's written there?" Tarik asked, intrigued. "Yes, I can read it in all known and unfamiliar languages. It says: If you want to get there, you will have to go behind." "But that's the opposite direction," Tarik pointed out. "What do you want me to tell you? There's nothing else we can do. We must follow the instructions," Cassian replied. Reluctantly, they walked in the opposite direction, hoping it would lead them to the village. As they continued, they found themselves back at the same place. This time, they noticed a mark on one of the trees, which Tarik translated."Bleed," he murmured. "What does that mean?" Cassian asked, puzzled. "I think you need to spill it to reach the guardian villages," Tarik replied. "But where?" Cassian questioned. "You can do it in the dirt. Maybe this forest is alive and just doesn't want to waste time again," Tarik suggested. He made a small cut on his arm, and the blood dripped onto the ground, causing the forest to stir with life. "You're right; the forest is alive. It only reveals itself to the guardians," Cassian realized, hope igniting within him.