Page 96 of Whispers of the Water

I looked up from where my cheek still rested against his shoulder at the sound of anger in Rune’s whisper. Rune stared at the photo with tears pooling in his eyes.

“After he died, I’d go into his library where the fireplace sat cold and empty, where my mother refused to set foot, and where those damn books sat on the shelves, untouched. I’d find his favorite ones and flip through them, catching his scent on the pages. At least I had that. I shut the room and locked it, trying to preserve the smell. But while the books stayed, his smell didn’t. Why? Why did those books get to stay but he didn’t?”

My heart broke as the tears finally slid down Rune’s cheeks. I wiped them away as they fell and pulled him close. I couldn’t erase his pain, no matter how much I wished to. I couldn’t go back in time and stop my dad from taking his. All I could do was be there for Rune in that moment, to hold him, kiss him, and be the rock he needed right then. And, maybe, as future Queen of Water Fae, I could finally put an end to the war, once and for all, so that no other child had to lose a parent like he did.

Or like I did.

“There are no words that can take away the hurt,” I started as I gently combed my fingers through his hair. “Your dad shouldn’t have been dealt the ending he was. But maybe he knew that since he was gone, you needed a new kind of love in your life. Maybe he saw how you were hurting from wherever he is now, and so he sent double the love for you to have in his place. He isn’t here anymore, but because of that, you have Newt and Greshim.”

It wasn’t the same. I knew that, but I also knew that those boys were two of the most important things in Rune’s life. Even though it didn’t make losing his dad better, I was sure having the twins made dealing with the pain easier.

He sat up straight and looked at me with an unreadable emotion buried in his eyes. The tears had mostly cleared, and as his gaze searched mine, a tender light flooded them. He reached forward to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “Thank you. You’re right. I like that—to think my dad played a part in getting Newt and Greshim here. But maybe he also saw you.” His thumb brushed lovingly across my cheek. “Maybe he saw you and knew that what I really needed in my life was someone who could see me and help fill a void I’ve had for so long, so he sent you to me.”

Tears rolled out of the corners of my eyes, and my lip quivered. “Then I guess I should say, ‘thanks, Balgair.’” I looked back at his photo. “Thank you for letting me find Rune.”

Rune gave a small laugh and faced his dad’s picture, too. “Thanks, Dad. Thank you for sending me Bria.”

***

I was careful not to wake Rune the next morning as I slipped out from under the covers and tiptoed out of his room, making sure to lock the door from the inside as I left since I wanted to ensure that Rune’s special room remained hidden from all other eyes. It was still early, and while I had longed to stay wrapped in arms that seemed to hold promises of forever, I also wanted to take the rare opportunity of alone time to sneak back to my room and draw. The artist in me was famished and only drawing would satisfy her.

A quiet stillness hung over the house as I made my way down the hall, so I assumed everyone was still asleep. Not wanting anyone to stir, I moved as quietly as I could along the carpeted floors. My fingers reached out for the knob to my room just as an eerie voice called out my name from behind me.

I instantly froze, my blood running cold. Swallowing hard, I turned to face Myra, who stood at the end of the hall in her Fae form. She smiled at me, but the look didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was nothing but venom beyond those upturned lips.

“Yes?” I asked, meeting her gaze. It took everything inside me to keep my voice even. I refused to let the woman see how much she unnerved me.

Crooking a clawed finger, she beckoned me forward. “Would you come with me? I’d like to have a word with you.”

A shiver ran up my spine as her golden eyes bore into mine. I knew I should refuse. I didn’t need to go anywhere with her alone again. It was too risky. But so was refusing. Telling her no would be like admitting defeat. It would seem like yet another red flag, proving what she probably already suspected: that I was hiding something.

Taking a deep breath, I feigned as much of a smile as I could. “Sure.”

Her grin widened, making her fangs glisten. She turned and walked down the hall with me trailing slowly after her. That one look told me everything. I had walked right into something I’d soon regret. Whatever battle was soon to commence, she had just won, and I had basically handed her the victory.

My stomach was in knots the entire time I trudged behind her, because I wasn’t sure what she wanted or had planned. Was this going to be another talk where she essentially told me I wasn’t good enough, so I needed to hit the road? Or did she have something more nefarious up her sleeve? Something in my gut told me this was bad, so I quickly pulled out my phone and shot Dallas a text while Myra’s back was to me.

Gummy Worm - stand by

Myra led me down the two flights of stairs, around the corner at the bottom, and out the back doors of the house. Her flowing black gown seemed fitting for this dire moment. I mean, why else would she want to have our discussion out here? She probably didn’t want to make a mess in her house as she tried to murder me.

Myra came to a standstill in the middle of the back yard. The early morning sky was overcast, which only added to the dark and ominous meeting. With the house on her right and the lake on her left, she faced me with a wicked smile, and seeing that expression rattled me all the way to my core. I had never seen Myra smile more than I had in these five minutes, and not knowing the reason made dread prickle along my skin.

“Did you have a nice night?” she asked.

My eyes never left hers as I stood my ground. “I did.”

She smirked, folding her hands in front of her. “I’m sure you did. I do find it rather odd that you aren’t in your Fae form. It’s much more comfortable than our human one, as you know. Why don’t you shift into your Fae form?”

I sucked in a sharp breath as panic settled in my bones, because Avana’s illusion wasn’t in place. My stomach twisted as I fought for an excuse as to why I couldn’t switch forms.

Giving a nonchalant shrug, I said, “I don’t mind my human form. It’s actually—”

“Shift.” Her mouth stretched into a thin line, and her cold command sucked all the argument from my lungs.

Her sharp eyes cut into me, and I swallowed hard. My feet were rooted to the spot, and my mouth seemed to dry and fill with sand, rendering me unable to utter a sound. There was nothing I could do. No argument I could make, no place to hide, and no chance of me miraculously shifting into a Fox Fae.

I was caught in her trap.

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