Page 61 of Shadows in Bloom

“I do enjoy it.” He raised a brow, humor laced with challenge. “I assume you have a better idea, then?”

I didn’t. Not entirely. But I needed something to show for all of my bravado, so I gave it my best effort. “A threat will not work when she could so easily murder us. She is an immortal Fae who has likely lived much longer, and seen much more, than either of us. She has a well of magic at her fingertips. So! What would appeal to her more than anything? Something she has never come across before.”

“You think she will help us simply because she has never seen anything like your circumstance.”

“I do.”

Try as you may, I will always be with you. I am the reason you live. You are nothing without me, sick, frail thing. She cannot save you.

Pain shot through my head—a deep, pulsing ache that set my nerves on fire. I gripped the sides of my head, sucking in a sharp breath. My vision grew spotty and blurred as I broughtone hand down to brace myself against the hard ground. A tiny whine slipped through my lips.

Alandris’ hands were on my shoulders in an instant, steadying me as he scanned my face. “Nairu? What is happening?”

“We’re on to something, I think.” I ground my teeth, pushing through the pain. “He—it-it doesn’t like the idea. That means we’re right.”

Another jolt of agony laced through me, as though in reply. I leaned forward, curling my knees into my stomach, bracing myself for the next shock. The monster couldn’t torture me for long. Unless I utilized my magic, it seemed unable to force itself inside of my head for too much time at once. It was the aftermath that was harrowing. Feeling it’s whispers in my ears long after they’d passed.

“You’ve been hearing it… not just in dreams, but while you wake.”

I nodded, keeping my head down, tucked into my chest.

“Is it getting worse?”

I start to nod once more but hesitate, questioning how honest I should be. In that moment, my decision was made for me—my hesitation was enough of an answer for a man who knew me too well.

“We should get some rest. As soon as we link up with Kaz and Zorinna, we can head back to Nil’Faerith to deliver the flower.” Alandris made to stand. “Wait here. I will prepare our beds.”

The sounds of him rifling through our bags and preparing our bedrolls were enough to distract me from my pain if Ifocused. I counted his every step, breathing in and out with his movements until I became numb to the sensation. It was only once I had calmed down enough to open my eyes that I looked up to watch him work, the dim light stinging my sensitive eyes. He’d quickly prepared everything and was in the process of lighting a small fire. I forced myself up and stumbled over to where my makeshift bed awaited so that I could crawl under the covers.

Alandris continued to pace our campsite, sparing the occasional glance in my direction, failing to notice I laid awake, watching him.

After I’d watched him circle enough to make me dizzy, I spoke up, startling him out of his daze. “You need not fret so much. I am stronger than I look.”

His steps came to a halt, and his eyes met mine. “I know that. I know you are strong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to witness you in pain.”

If I wasn’t so weak from the headache, I would’ve jumped up from my bed to argue, but my body wasn’t as tough as my mind was at the present moment. I beckoned him over to sit beside me instead. “We are nearly there, Alandris. I have more fight in me yet. I will not let this power inside of me consume me so easily.”

He nodded, but I could tell his unease still lingered in the furrow of his brow and the tensity in his jaw. My earlier outburst had frightened him, worried him in a way I never had before. In a way, I could not assuage with pretty words and promises.As much as I needed to convince him I had what it took to persevere, I needed to convince myself, too.

“Will you lay beside me?” I asked, leaning my head back to stare up at the cavernous ceiling above, alight with glowing flowers, though none as beautiful as the one we had tucked away.

“I should keep watch.”

I gripped his hand to stop him from leaving. “Please. For a couple of hours, we should both rest.”

His eyes landed on mine, and I could tell that a battle was raging in his mind. Seconds dragged like minutes as I waited for his response. “Fine. A couple of hours.”

I knew he wouldn’t truly sleep, not with potential threats all around us, but I was satisfied with the fact that I’d at least gotten him to rest his body. I supposed I wouldn’t be getting a decent rest now, of course, not with those bright blue eyes locked onto mine, and his arms curled around me in a way that made my heart race. But I could fake it, for his sake.

I leaned into the heat of his embrace and closed my eyes, listening to the steady inhale and exhale of his breath. Though I made efforts not to, fighting my eyelids for dominance, I eventually succumbed to my exhaustion and fell asleep.

Chapter 32

Bitterly frigid snow burned into the bare skin of my feet with every step I took, so cold it was hot. Slowly, bit by bit, I moved toward the being in the clearing, never looking to the village behind me, to the people, my people, who had offered me up like a blushing bride in white. Only fifteen years of age, I didn’t fully comprehend the fate they’d decided for me, nor did I have the will to fight them on it. In what way was I able to refuse? What I was to become was an honor, my people told me. What an honor for a young orphaned girl such as myself, they said. Finally, a purpose for the girl who’d never had a place of her own.

Close enough to reach out and touch the being, I mustered the courage to lift my head. A tall male with skin a pure white so unnaturally tinted it looked like marble. Pale silver, pupil-less eyes, rimmed in deep, dark circles, stared down at me, emotionless. Fae or Faeling, he had to be, with two wiry black horns thatprotruded from the top of his head. For all of his strangeness, he was strikingly beautiful. Like a statue. A beautiful, lifeless thing.

His voice, though clear, was equally empty. “They have sent me a child as their offering, then. How pathetic humans are… sending one forth who can’t even defend themselves.” He hooked a clawed finger under my chin. “No matter, you will make a fine vessel for my magic. Your people will live for your sacrifice, and once you have fulfilled your end of the bargain, I will free them.”

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