Destiny Mine
Prologue
By Mystic Dawn
Kurogane...
He frowned and shifted in his sleep, instinctively searching for the whispers hidden in the night breeze. The calls were beckoning him in a way he could not possible ignore. His awareness drifted like a spirit between reality and fantasy, and in his sleep he caught a faint aroma, tantalizingly familiar. He rolled over onto his side, the breeze tickling his cheeks, pulling him deeper into a dream-like state.
Kurogane...
A large castle loomed before him, its traditional architecture revealing wealth beyond imagination. Uphilted rooftops glittered beetle-black in the moon's pale glow, and graceful spires tore at the midnight sky.
He passed through the golden gateway and into the castle grounds, walking along the path that led straight to the massive structure, his piercing gaze alert and attentive. But instead of passing through the large, unguarded doors, he turned to the wall and began to scale it.
His fingers deftly sought out the various niches and cracks, enabling him to climb up in a surprisingly short amount of time. Once he had hauled himself up onto the roof, he straightened, and, shading his eyes, let his gaze wander upon the breathtaking view that was stretched out before him.
Mile after mile of ancient firs spread below, the sea of treetops ending at the base of snow-cropped mountains. The full moon had reached its zenith in the black, star-dotted sky, bathing the world in silver splendor. He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, his troubled soul finding peace and calm at last.
He was finally home again.
He turned away from the view with a sweet regret, crossing the whole length of the rooftop to reach the ledge on the other side. He leapt down and landed smoothly onto soft-packed earth, straightening to fix his gaze upon his surroundings.
He found himself in a circle of large trees in full bloom, elegant petals falling gently to the ground and strewing in the breeze.
Kurogane...
His hand twitched in his sleep and he turned his face into the pillow. There was something in the breeze, something that called out to him silently; a despairing note hidden in a heart-wrenching cry. He jerked his arm, as if trying to reach out to someone, then sank back into slumber.
It was a woman's cry.
He raised his hand and a delicate petal drifted gently onto his palm. He closed his fingers over it and drew his fist to his chin, his brow wrinkling momentarily in worry. He stood still in silent contemplation for several long moments.
How much time had passed? Did she still remember him?
He let the petal fall to the ground and his body stirred back to life. He weaved through the trees, following the invisible path beyond with familiar ease, absent-mindedly brushing away the petals clinging to his cloak.
He soon reached a clearing where a small stream gurgled, a miniature waterfall spilling into its depths. He knelt upon the mossy bank and dipped his cupped hand into it, sampling the crystal-clear water.
He suddenly heard someone gasp sharply behind him, and he whirled around immediately, his hand going to his sword-hilt and his cloak swirling in the wind.
A girl—no, a young woman—was standing several feet away from him, carrying a mass of flowers in her arms. She wore extravagant burgundy-colored robes, and had her long, ebony hair elaborately styled, a delicate golden headdress adorning her head. Her face was white like alabaster and her luscious lips were small and pink, but he was mostly drawn to her deep, amethyst eyes, which shone with a wisdom beyond her years.
Oh, how he had missed those eyes!
Before he could even think of a proper reaction to fit his surprise at finding her standing before him, she had given off a low cry and ran into his arms, the abandoned flowers tumbling to the ground. She flung her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her so she could look at his face. "I missed you so much," she breathed, before drawing him to her in a passionate kiss.
His startled mind was slow to react, but an undeniable desire suddenly flared inside of him and he responded to her needs hungrily, pulling her small form closer to his large one as he wrapped his arm about her waist and twined his fingers through her hair. Her familiar scent filled his nostrils, making his heart pound wildly in his chest and his blood pump in his veins.
He started awake and sat up, gasping for breath, his torso gleaming with sweat. He shuddered and blotted his steaming face. It had only been a dream, he told himself firmly. "Only a dream..." He nervously moistened his lips and stiffened.
He could still taste her.