Page 73 of Whispers of the Water

Heads snapped in Marlow’s direction as he slowly stepped out from behind Akira and the rest of them. His glassy eyes darted to me before focusing on Myra and Rune’s family. “I probably shouldn’t have interfered, but I couldn’t watch what was happening to my friends. I was worried that you were trying to hurt them, so I had no choice but to stop your fire.”

I swallowed hard and stared at Marlow, the shy, overly-scared guy who rarely spoke. Yet, here he was, standing in front of all these people—all these Fox Fae—taking blame for what had happened. As a Salamander Fae, he had the ability to control a very small amount of water, something for which fellow Land Fae often gave his kind hate, because it blurred the lines between Land Fae and Water Fae. The ability to harness water was one we shared.

He and I both knew it wasn’t him who’d controlled that water, which should’ve immediately made me enemy number one for him. Emotion clogged my throat as he stood there, shoulders back and steel faced, protecting me.

Suspicion still coated the air as everyone’s gazes moved between Marlow and me. I wasn’t sure if they bought his lie, but hope blossomed a fraction as acceptance and annoyance slowly morphed the spectator’s faces.

My attention turned back to Rune, who still stared down at me. His hands were balled into fists, and my stomach rose into my throat as I recognized that look blazing bright in his eyes. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. It had been so long since he’d looked at me that way, and I felt all the progress we’d made slip by on the passing wind.

“Rune?” I said in a shaky whisper. I honestly wasn’t even sure if my voice came out or not.

It didn’t matter, because Rune slowly walked toward me. He reached down, gripping my upper arm, and as he pulled me to my feet, I focused on the softness of that grip. He was practically boiling over with barely contained rage, yet he still handled me with restraint and gentleness. I appreciated that for numerous reasons, the most pressing being because my arm felt like it was on fire from the burn. If his controlled touch was all I had to hold onto for hope, I would, because damn it, I was quickly becoming a wreck on the inside.

Rune turned to Myra and the others, though I refused to look in their direction. I was too focused on him.

His voice dripped with menace as he said, “You took this too far. Don’t come near her again. If anyone threatens her or even so much as breathes in her direction, I will personally see to your slow and painful end. Do I make myself clear?”

Rune pulled me in the direction of our fidgeting group. My heart pounded furiously in my chest as I struggled to follow his quick strides. Rune was rigid, and I so badly wanted to go somewhere private where we could talk. Because we really needed to talk.

When we were within earshot of our group, Rune’s voice came out flat as he ordered, “Marlow, stay here with Newt and Greshim.”

We hurried past everyone, and I glanced over my shoulder as every worry I’d had pumped through me. I didn’t know where we were going, but Avana and the guys followed. The confusion and concern marring their features didn’t help my anxiety.

I turned back to Rune and whispered, “Where are we going?”

Silence was my only response.

I swallowed hard. Rune was fuming, and I’d done that to him. Why hadn’t I just come clean sooner? I could’ve controlled the situation more and not let him get to the point where he was so pissed for being blindsided. He knew now. He knew I was his enemy, the thing he hated most in this world. Nausea slicked up my throat as I fought to stay calm.

We walked along the lake’s edge until we went down a hill a good distance from the house. The rolling green field blocked our view of the mansion until all we saw was the lake on one side and hills on the others. As soon as we were out of sight of the house, Rune let me go and took several steps away from me. Each felt like a knife sinking into my chest.

He paced back and forth, running his hands through his white hair. His frame shook from what I could only assume was rage, and I backed away to give him a second. That was the least I could do. Akira, Avana, Ardley, Bassel, and Carlos appeared at the top of the hill and slowly trekked down to where we stood. They glanced between Rune, who continued to pace while growling, and me.

Ardley’s brow creased as he watched Rune. Gently, he said, “R. Hey man, calm down a little.”

Rune whirled around, grabbing Ardley by his shirt. He yanked him close as he snapped, “Calm down? How the hell can I calm down! You saw what happened!” Rune’s heated glare turned toward me as he let go of Ardley. “You’re Water Fae?”

I fought against the tremble in my limbs as every set of eyes locked onto me. I had barely mustered up the courage to tell Rune the truth, yet now I had to tell everyone all at once. Sweat broke out along my brow as I worried about how they’d all react to the news.

Taking a deep breath, I finally answered, “Yes.”

He jerked like I’d physically hit him and slowly shook his head. “No. No, you can’t be. We tested it.”

“We did,” I started. “I was still human then. Or rather, I thought I was. My powers were still more or less locked away then.”

His brow furrowed. “Locked away?”

“Rune,” Akira said carefully. “She’s telling the truth. Queen Muna sealed her powers.”

“Queen Muna?” Rune questioned. “Why would the Queen of all Fae do—” Rune froze and stared wide eyed at Akira. “Wait, you knew? You knew she was Water Fae?”

“She told me on your birthday.”

“I wanted to tell you,” I pleaded to Rune.

Rune’s eyes met mine, and despite myself, tears welled in the corners of my eyes.

“I’ve been trying to tell you. Every time I planned to, though, things … came up.”

---