Page 10 of Oath of Rebellion

With him, it felt different, though. Like she was on the precipice of the castle about to jump off the edge and attempt to finally fly.

She was hot, frustrated, and her eyelids began to droop as they turned off the Lone Road.

She stiffened, watching and waiting for the forest to attack. But within a few yards of the road, she saw they were on a faint path. The steady pace of the horse lulled her into an exhausted sleep, and she sank against him.

When she awoke, dusk was falling around them. Her head was groggy as they came into a clearing. There was a small cottage at the base of a giant tree with a barn peeking behind it.

No one came to greet them, but Knox walked the horse to the front door. He jumped off the horse, his hands never leaving her. Even with his hands, she still swayed in the saddle.

She pulled her head up and looked around before sliding off the horse. Her mind knew she was going to hit the ground and get dirty, but she couldn't stop herself. She felt like she was floating but being pressed down at the same time.

It was almost like being drunk. Gods, he must think she was a weakling. No wonder he wanted nothing to do with her.

Her body had entered the Edge. If she wasn't careful, she'd fall into the Beyond and never wake. That was what happened when someone used too much magic.

Before she hit the ground, Knox' arms swooped her up. He cradled her to his chest, and her head flopped back on his arm to look up at him.

The weight of embarrassment pressed on her chest. Only an untrained mage or a child entered the Edge. It'd been years since she'd been here. Why now? Why in front of him?

Oh yeah, because they'd almost been killed in a carriage accident and eaten by the forest.

"Come on, let's get you inside," Knox said, his deep voice almost as lulling as the horse. He strode to the front door of the cottage.

Eirwyn nuzzled into his cloak, the smell of morning dew hanging to him like a promise of adventure.

"I just need to sleep it off. I'll be fine in the morning," she said with a yawn.

Scarlet pushed open the front door, and Knox dipped his head and turned sideways to carry her inside. He looked around, a frown line between his eyes.

The light from candles and a fire finally illuminated more of his face, and she relaxed even more in his arms. She could stare up at him for hours, if only her heavy eyelids would cooperate.

"Olive? Do you have a tonic? She's entered the Edge."

A bustling sound came from her right, but she didn't want to turn her head away from him. He held her like a child tucked to his chest as he walked to the fire and sat in an oversized chair, not letting her go.

She snuggled into him as he pulled his arm out from under her legs. "Sleep now. Need to recharge," she slurred with another yawn as she closed her eyes.

She could feel it. The Beyond called to her. She knew it was coming. The fast heartbeat. The shaking and dizziness. The clawing hunger that gnawed on her from the inside out.

"Shit," Knox said. "Olive?"

"Here, here," a breathless voice came closer as Eirwyn began to float away, her mind detaching as her body went limp.

A rustling sounded, then Knox reached out his hand. He brought a mug to her lips and pried them open, pouring the foul liquid inside. She began to choke, and he closed her chin, holding her mouth until she swallowed.

Then she gasped. As she exhaled, he poured more in, starting the process all over again. She gripped his shirt, her eyes flying open as the liquid burned her throat and settled in her stomach.

Warmth spread like a fireball, and her eyes connected with his, the frown marring his forehead still. His eyes searched hers as if looking for something, but her body was tense as she gripped his shirt. She whimpered at the burn.

She hated this. It brought back dark memories of her childhood, of all the tonics and potions she'd tried to get stronger. Her brother had been so disgusted with her sickly nature. He still was, if she were honest.

Tears stung her eyes, and her hands shook where they grasped his shirt.

Someone took the mug, and he smoothed the hair away from her face. "There, there. It's alright. It's almost over now."

His words were like a balm to her soul, and she slowly relaxed, going limp in his arms as her eyes rolled back in her head.

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