Page 14 of Golden Star

I glare at him—both for the gullible comment, and for the meaning behind his words. Because he clearly also means his “business” withmeis done.

“That kiss was done to seal the deal,” he reminds me, as if it would be pathetic if I thought anything else.

“I know. It was for ‘business’ purposes,” I repeat what he told me—hopefully just as coldly. “Now, are you going to follow through with your end of the deal and get me back home?”

“I’ll follow through whenever I want,” he says. “After all, we never specifiedwhenI needed to get you home.”

My stomach drops.

He’s right. We never discussed exactly when heneeded to bring me back. For all I know, it could be ten years from now.

But…

“You said you’d bring me backsafelyhome,” I remind him. “And, according to you, I’m at risk of being killed every moment I remain in this realm. So, it sounds like you should get me home sooner rather than later.”

Ghost, who apparently sat down while Riven and I were having ourmoment,perks his ears up and stands.

Riven glances down at Ghost, then refocuses on me, sizing me up.

“An excellent point,” he says. “Maybe you’re not as gullible as I thought.”

Anger courses through me, and before I realize what’s happening, Riven’s getting splashed with more water from the stream.

He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t move. He just holds my gaze with his increasingly intimidating silver eyes, daring me to try anything further.

“Careful,” he warns. “Unless you want me to bring out my sword again?”

My cheeks flush, and I step back, putting some space between us. “Can we just focus on getting me home?” I ask.

He watches me for a long moment, as though weighing his next move. Then he gestures to the stream—the wider, clearer part of it that I was drawn to before. “Drink from that spot,” he tells me. “It will take you back.”

“Is this another trick?”

“When have I tricked you?” he asks in return.

Having no more patience for him, I huff, spin on my heel, and kneel before the stream.

It seems too simple.

Then again, I got here by drinking the water. Which means it makes sense that doing the same thing is the way to leave, too. And if it isn’t… when did a little bit of water ever hurt someone?

Except when I splashed it at Riven. Although I doubt that actually hurt him. Maybe it hurt his ego, but physically, he’s doing just fine.

“I told you that fae can’t lie,” he reminds me. “Which means I’m telling you the truth that the water will get you home. Now, stop sitting around, and drink.”

Sapphire

I hesitate at the stream,even though there’s no room for hesitation.

This is my chance to get home. I have no reason to think Riven’s being honest about not being able to lie, but logically, it makes sense that thisisthe way home, since it’s the same way I got here.

So, I bring the water to my lips. It’s sharp and cold, and the world shifts beneath me, just like last time.

Unlike last time, I’m prepared.

Still, the landing is far from graceful. I stumble as my feet hit solid ground, and while I do fall, I don’t roll over and over. Instead, I catch myself—hard—on my wrist.

It snaps, and burning pain shoots through my arm, but I don’t have time to dwell on how much it hurts.

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