Page 78 of Of Wind and Terror

For a long moment, she doesn’t respond to my apology. I’m not expecting her to forgive me, but the longer she stands there, staring at me, the more anxious I become. My heartbeat speeds up, tripping hastily over itself, and I tighten my grip around my ax.

Then she lifts her hands and signs, “I forgive you.”

I forgive you.

I forgive you.

Never have three words been more beautiful before.

I feel weightless, as if I’m standing on an icy lake that’s beginning to crackle and shatter beneath my feet. Any tick now, I’ll fall into its glacial depths and be swept away by the current.

Kassandra forgives me.

Before I can speak, she holds her hands up and continues signing. “I forgive you because I can tell you’re sincere. But Blaze…” She bites down on her lower lip, her hands hovering in the air. She seems to be struggling to find her next words. “My forgiveness isn’t unconditional, and it’s not absolute. I won’t allow you to hurt me again.”

“I won’t,” I promise, even as a tiny voice in the back of my head reminds me of all the secrets I’m keeping from her.

Our mating bond.

My immortality.

I vow, right then and there, that as soon as we find the Spring Prince, I’ll tell her everything. No more secrets. No more lies. If I want this relationship to work—which I do—then I’ll need to be open with her.

Her eyes smile enigmatically up at me, and I feel myself fall even harder for her.

“We’ll need to have a talk,” I warn her seriously. “But first, let’s find your Spring Prince.”

“He’s alive,” Kassandra signs with absolute confidence, already turning on her heel to resume following Runt.

“Kassandra, you need to prepare yourself?—”

“He’s alive,” she repeats, each hand movement sharp and concise. “I don’t know how I know that to be the case, but it is.”

Her brows furrow, and her lips compress. Confusion swarms in her eyes, but she shrugs it away and continues walking.

I exchange a glance with Aleksander, who’s trailing along behind us. The elf appears contemplative. One of his long, bony fingers comes up to tap at his chin. I can see his mind whirling, but he doesn’t voice his thoughts as he shoulders me aside and moves to stand beside Kassandra.

I glower at the cocky elf but take up the rear.

“Now…where were we?” Aleksander asks. “Hmmm. I was about to tell you a joke, wasn’t I? Well, it’s your unlucky day because I don’t remember it. So let’s talk about something more important. Would you rather have your mouth on your hands or your eyes on your feet?”

I roll my eyes.

How can someone so intimidating be so…crass? Annoying? Irritating?

Kassandra wiggles both of her hands in the air.

“Really?” Incredulity bleeds into Aleksander’s voice. “But every time you touch something, you’ll be forced to taste it!”

“Not if she keeps her mouth shut. Which you should take note of,” I interject.

Aleksander considers and then nods decisively. “You’re absolutely right. And can you imagine the amount of stimulation you’ll give your partner during sex?—”

He cuts off abruptly when Runt leads us into a clearing.

Kassandra releases a sharp gasp, and I curse and hold my ax at the ready.

Everywhere I look are…webs. White, gossamer webs, strewn from tree branches like streamers at a ball.

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