Page 33 of Cursed By Seas and Darkness

He laughed and brought an arm around me, drawing me close. It’s not the water that’s the problem, it’s the illusions it brings.

“Illusions?”

Illusions, divinations. It is never the same for anyone. You might have to face your deepest fears, or live through your greatest wish. If you can’t escape, the river sweeps you away forever.

“Great. Where are you even taking me?” I joked.

He tugged my hair until I was staring into his eyes. Grinning, he skimmed my jaw with his lips before kissing me senseless. Right before my thoughts started to jumble, a small foot kicked me on my shin. “Ow!” I yelped.

What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? Kaga asked, concern in his voice.

I looked down at my leg and saw a Luminae flying away. “No. I think your stalkers are trying to maim me.”

Kaga merely shook his head. Then he drew me over to the campfire and handed me a plate. When the food was ready, we both ate in silence, thinking about our journey tomorrow. I wondered what the river held in store for me.

When the sun had disappeared completely, I stood up to head inside the tent, but Kaga grabbed my hand and pulled me down next to him. Not yet, he said.

Curious, I glanced around, but saw nothing. After a few minutes, I tried to leave again, but Kaga held me close. Just wait, impatient woman.

I glared at nothing and mumbled about overbearing human mages when I saw a shimmer out of the corner of my eye. Turning toward it, I gasped. All the adult Luminae were coming out of their houses and abandoning their duties. They lined up in the air, and they started to sing. A few notes in and they started an intricate dance, weaving around and above each other, their glittering wings reflecting the fire. The melody was haunting, with notes of lightheartedness scattered throughout. It made my heart soar.

The song ended, and the Luminae floated back into their homes, their lights winking out as they settled into night. I followed Kaga into our tent, laying down next to him in our combined bedrolls.

He turned on his side, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer. I snuggled my head onto his shoulder, not even caring anymore that he was supposed to be someone I hated. I’m not sure exactly when it started to change for me, but it didn’t matter.

“What happened to you last time in the river?” I asked. He said it was different for everyone, but at least I could have some idea of what I was walking, or rather swimming, into.

He flipped onto his back and put a hand across his eyes. It was awful, he said, his tone forlorn.

I turned to my side, flinging a leg across his stomach and an arm across his chest. “You don’t have to tell me if it was that bad.”

No, I want to. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I stepped into the water. The river isn’t really a river, more of a wide stream. It never went farther than waist deep. The water. It showed me things I can’t even explain, images of my life pieced together in fragments.

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

No, it wasn’t. What came after was. I had to watch as the water showed me what my deepest fear was. I had to watch, unable to look away, as my parents were brutally murdered in front of me by a strange beast.

Kaga’s heart thundered, and I gripped him tighter. “I’m so sorry, Kaga, that you saw that.”

It’s why I haven’t dared venture out on my own yet. Fear has kept me watching over them, making sure they’re okay, hoping my magic can protect them.

I frowned at that. “You’re your own person, though, Kaga. You can’t live your life for someone else’s maybe.”

He wrapped his arms around me. Someday, perhaps.

“Why didn’t you use your wish to protect them?”

Kaga smiled, though it had a tinge of sadness to it. I didn’t actually wish for anything the last time. The Luminaes warned me that wishes have consequences, and I didn’t want to take the risk.

That surprised me. I don’t know if I would have been able to not wish for something. “I wonder what I’ll have to face.”

He kissed my forehead. I’ll be there to help you through.

My first thought was that I didn’t need anyone to help me. I could do it on my own. But as I lay there, wrapped in Kaga’s arms, it was nice to know that for once I didn’t have to.

Chapter 26

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a golden sheen covering the mystical jungle. Kaga and I followed the glittering trail of the Luminae. The golden-skinned tiny fairies fluttered around us like stars brought to life, guiding us toward the river that would test us. The air was thick with the scent of exotic flowers, and the faint rustling of leaves added an aura of mystery to the enchanted setting.

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