Page 133 of A Fate so Wicked

The water glistened under the sun’s rays, mocking me—the only proof it was alive.

The trials. Escaping death.

None of it would matter if we couldn’t escape—if Talon’s plan failed. If I failed.

“What if the wards are still in place?” My fingers flexed on Talon’s side as I tried to calm my nerves, but despite my best efforts, my heart still raced in my chest. It was the question I was dreading to ask—the one that hung around my neck like a noose.

Everything weighed on one simple answer.

He covered my hands with his and wrapped them around his middle.

His touch calmed me immediately. I relaxed into him, taking in his scent and gentle touch, wondering what our future looked like. If one even existed past the shoreline. I shook the thought away.

“Then we keep running.” Talon shrugged. “And we’ll keep running until I get you somewhere safe and find a way through the wards to help Deirdre. My promise won’t die in vain here, firefly. I swear to you.” Talon clicked his tongue and cued Zephyr into a trot, leading us into the river before I could protest or read into his response. I held onto him as tight as I could as the water inched up our waists, the cold water stealing my breath—a warning of just how lethal it could be.

A reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath its surface.

I fought through the shock and took a deep breath, resigning to the river’s demands, and clamped my teeth down on my quivering lip.

Pipion scurried out of Talon’s bag and crawled up my torso, reaching my shoulder just as Zephyr’s hooves dropped off the stream bed and the water reached our collarbones.

I looked up, searching for images within the clouds, trying to distract myself, only to find flashbacks in their place. I winced. My leg burned as I recalled the searing, hot pain of the water wraith’s claw cutting into my flesh—and the infection that brewed after. The fever. The fear that threatened to strangle me. My throat swelled just like it did when the river swallowed my screams, and I coughed, my eyes brimming with tears.

My stomach lurched—it wasn’t real, I reminded myself. I was safe. Talon promised they wouldn’t harm me while in his company, and I knew with every fiber of my being that was true.

Yet I couldn’t allow myself to relax. Being in the same wraith-infested waters had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up with each fluttering movement.

“How are you doing back there?” Talon squeezed my forearm. “You haven’t taken a breath in over a minute.”

I rested my forehead against his back and closed my eyes, taking a long drawl of air back to the present moment.

Pipion giggled. “I think she’s struggling,”

I would’ve flicked her off my shoulder if she wasn’t the perfect wraith bate. “Nope, I’m good,” I forced out, my lungs straining. “I’m good. Just want to get back on dry land. Now.”

“We’re almost there, I promise. Only a few more yards.”

I hummed my reply, peeking open an eye to see for myself. The hint of pine and moss wafted into my nostrils, replacing the lavender scent that was uniquely Faerway’s.

I spotted the tattered remains of my rope on the ground, still loosely tied around the trunk of the tree. My satchel, however, was nowhere to be found. I wondered if that was nature’s doing, picked off by animals to make nests, or if a search party had come across it when I never came home. The thought of my mother receiving my belongings without me in tow was almost enough for my tears to well over. The distress. The anguish.

I swallowed hard.

I would make it right—there was no other option.

We were so close.

But just then, a sharp, spindly fin broke the surface of the water and circled the rear of the horse, disappearing under the murky water. A ripple brushed against my back, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

No, not again.

The memories came back with a vengeance, and I squeezed my eyes shut—my spine tingling with fear, and I silently pleaded for Zephyr to move faster. Quicker.

“Please, please, please, hurry,” I pushed, my arms aching as I clutched Talon tighter, trying but failing to disappear into him.

He tapped his heels into Zephyr again, and she picked up speed, gliding us through the water as swiftly as a fish. The wraith followed beside us—a menacing smirk on her thin lips while her spindly black hair trailed behind her like ink.

Taunting me.

---