Hair of Gold: Just Right (Urban Fairytales Book 6) by Erik Schubach

knew that they would be left unprotected as we went on our quest, possibly over a Wolf Moon. But we hoped that any raiding parties that may be heading their way would have to cross our path to get to the village, and we would deal with them appropriately. That if all went well, the raids would stop, then all there would be to fear were the wolves, like it used to be.
    I silently wondered just how many disposable fighters that Narcisa had at her command, and why they all seemed to willingly meet their ends at the end of my blade or my brother's fangs for her.
    The villagers supplemented our supplies, and I again thought of how odd the world we live in was, where a family that would have been thought of as monsters were instead viewed as the heroes and protectors. All because we fought an even more terrible foe for them when no others would.
    Before noon we were off, heading south. I swallowed, and Little Bear rested his hand on my shoulder as we walked, knowing my mind. Romania was my destination with my parents, a destination we never reached. I had never gone with any of my brothers when they were crossing the border for supplies or to do trades with other villages. But here I was now, about to step into the land that was to be our salvation... an unrealized dream.
    Time has this habit of dulling the worst of our pains. Instead of the terror, uncertainty, and sense of loss I had over my parents in the early days, time has tempered this into a sad memory of my mother and father to accompany all of the happy memories of a child. The only fear I have now is that it gets harder and harder to remember their faces, their voices... their laughter.
    Though I am reminded of mother every time I see my reflection in the pond in the woods near the cottage. I have her hair and eyes. I miss her.
    When we reached a ridge at the base of the soaring mountains, I knew that we had entered Romania. I had finally reached my destination from my quest so long ago. A quest unrealized, a quest unneeded as I have found my home. I paused and then looked at my brothers in pride. They were my family now, and I hope that I did them proud as well.
    Pavel removed his hand from my shoulder and gave me an understanding smile, then nudged his head as we all started walking again, saying, “You've finally made it to your destination Kat.”
    I nodded and picked up the pace, forcing my brothers who had longer strides than me to step faster to keep pace. Vlad chuckled and asked the others, “How can such a small thing always need to be scurrying along so fast?”
    I called back over my shoulder playfully, “Do not make me come back there Vladimir Yegor Inanov.”
    Our brothers chuckled at him, and Andrei said in mock fear, “Oooo... she has three named you, that cannot be a good thing brother.”
    We all shared a laugh then continued down the path. By the time we set up camp for the evening, we were deep under the thick canopy of the Romanian forests in the mountainous land. I thought, not for the first time, that it was a shame that my brothers spooked horses. If this day were any indicator, we had much more like this in front of us until we reached the realm of Narcisa and Baird.
    We sat around the campfire as I prepared a simple stew, and I pulled off my boots to flex my toes in the heat of the fire and sat back to relax. The vast field of stars above us glittered in the random gaps between the trees. I closed my eyes and smiled as I listened to all of the nightlife in the forest. Night is when the world comes alive.
    I picked out various insects buzzing and chirping, the sounds of owls on the hunt. The scratching and digging sounds of mice and other small animals. I sighed at the wonder of nature then reluctantly opened my eyes.
    I dished us up, and we spent the next hour or so just talking about our views of life and love. Hey, we may smell like a wet bear all the time, but us Inanov's are deeper than most people would give us credit for.”
    The night