Page 75 of Whispers of the Water

“Don’t worry,” Akira said, placing a hand on my arm. He gave me a reassuring smile. “Bassel doesn’t blame you for what other Water Fae did.”

That was just one of my many current worries.

I glanced up at the house as though it had ears and would discover my lies. Swallowing hard, I turned to Akira and asked, “What about Myra and the rest of them? Do you think they really believed that Marlow controlled the water, not me?”

“It’s hard to say,” Akira answered, nibbling his lip. “I think as long as nothing else happens, you’ll be fine. Salamander Fae can control that much water if they’re skilled enough. Marlow isn’t one of those skilled Salamanders, but none of Rune’s family knows that. Plus, no one here would ever expect Rune, or really any of us, to actually be associated with a Water Fae. So, I think you should be fine.”

At least there was one good thing.

“Why did Myra try to attack Rune? I don’t understand.”

Akira shook his head, and his eyes slipped closed as he seemed to mull my question. “Trying to understand Myra is like trying to solve a puzzle that’s missing half its pieces. It’s impossible. One thing is for sure, though. Everything she does, she does for a reason. It may not make sense to us, but every move of hers is calculated. I’m not sure if she was testing him or you or what her motives were, but I do know that her target wasn’t really to endanger Rune’s life. She needs him, or rather his offspring. She has something bigger in mind with her actions. I just don’t know what.”

The sentiment was bone-chilling, and the suggestion that she could’ve been testing me sounded fairly reasonable. If I were Fox Fae like I claimed, I’d use my own fire to stop the flame heading Rune’s way. If I were a fake, Rune would get hit, and since Akira was right about Myra needing Rune, that meant her flame probably hadn’t been a dangerous one. It could’ve been like the time Rune had set Bassel’s tail on fire but manipulated the flame to keep it from actually being heated.

Regardless, Myra got her answer. I hadn’t stopped the flame—at least, not that she knew. It put mine and Rune’s whole plan in even more jeopardy, and with three days left in the trip, I wasn’t sure how to navigate the remaining days. Maybe we should leave.

I shook my head at the idea. What if we left and, in retaliation, Myra did something to Newt to endanger his life? I didn’t think Greshim would be put in such a dire situation since he was her prized son, but I truly feared for Newt. If Rune finally took a real stance against her and her wishes, she wouldn’t have a reason to keep Newt around anymore.

We had to stay and see out these final days.

Akira and I carefully weaved our way through the house without running into anyone. Thank God. Even if they believed Marlow had controlled the water, I’d most likely be viewed as a weak, unfit match for Rune since I couldn’t even hold my own in a game with Aidan. It would be more ammunition against me.

When Akira and I made it to mine and Rune’s room, I hesitated outside the door. Taking a deep breath, I found Akira’s eyes, my own flooding with worries. “Is it over? Do you think he hates me now?”

“Bria,” Akira whispered as concern pulled his features taut. He grabbed me in a tight hug. “He just needs time. I promise. He doesn’t hate you.”

Anger. Hurt. Confusion.

I’d seen it all plainly scrawled on Rune’s face. I’d deceived him. I’d lied to him. I’d pretended to be something I wasn’t, gaining his trust—and even more hurtful—his affection. Now here I was, the truth as barren as a newborn babe.

I was his enemy.

I was what he loathed most in the world.

How could he not hate me?

Needing some time alone, I finally forced myself to retreat into my room. Akira didn’t feel comfortable leaving me, so he promised to be next door in the sitting room with the door open. He was prepared to rush to my side at a moment’s notice should any lingering Fox Fae decide to make an appearance.

I wasn’t sure if that Fox included Rune or not.

I pressed my forehead into the now closed door and tried focusing on that. Wooden. Solid. Not crumbling in a frantic, worried pile of rubble like me.

I couldn’t change who I was, nor could I change how Rune had found out about my being Water Fae. I could have regrets and wish for things to have played out differently, but that’s all it would be—futile wishing. Rune knew the truth now, which meant all I could do was look for a way to salvage our relationship. We’d come too far, shared too much, cared too deeply for things to end now.

Seeking a way to clear my head and focus on how I’d face Rune, I stumbled to the bathroom. My reflection startled me. I was a mess. My hair was wind tossed and frizzy. My eyes and nose were painted red from crying. My sweater was charred and hanging in tattered pieces around my shoulder where Aidan’s fire had singed me. The skin there was still puckered and pink, wrinkling in an ugly and painful burn, having not healed yet.

Letting out a ragged breath, I turned away from my reflection and slipped out of my clothes. The shower called to me, and I happily entered. As soon as the hot water made contact with my skin, all the knots in my body loosened. The ache in my shoulder flared before fading altogether, and I watched in wonder as the pink skin smoothed and returned to a peachy, healthier color.

Under the touch of the water, my skin electrified and buzzed in a blissful rush. A grin lit my lips, and a small sigh escaped me as the water rolled along my arms, stomach, back, and legs. The pleasant vibration that the magical bond stirred in my chest lulled me into a state of contentment, clearing away all doubts and insecurities about what was happening with Rune.

Tilting my head up to watch the clear drops spill out of the showerhead, I let my mind wander back to that moment when I’d controlled the water at the lake. I always felt so alive when harnessing water, as if it were an extension of myself. It was unlike anything I’d felt before, and right now, I wanted that connection. Since no one else was here to spot me, I decided to give into that pull.

Taking a deep breath, I stretched my hand out in front of me with my palm facing up. I cupped my hand slightly, letting the water pool in my grasp, and my eyes traced every drop that trailed down my skin. Focusing all of my attention on the clear, rippling water in my palm, I willed it to move upward.

The water stirred before rising into the air as one long strand. A silent laugh escaped me as my eyes followed the trail of sparkling liquid. It hovered in front of me, spiraling and spinning in a delicate and graceful dance. Where my gaze moved, it followed, and when I willed it to come back to my still outstretched hand, it did so. The hot water splashed back into my palm before trickling through my fingertips toward the tiled floor. My heart skipped a beat when it did, and I wondered if I’d ever get used to this immense power.

Probably not.

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