Page 14 of Tower of Tempest
He made a strangled sound, glaring at her.
Her words trailed off as I stared at the prince, a realization hitting me: he didn’t have his shadow. Unlike me, Leoni, and Driscoll, his didn’t stretch across the ground now that the sun shone over us. I cocked my head, staring at those broad shoulders, that curly hair, the strong jaw.
Blood and skies. I backed away toward the wildflowers.
“It was you.” I pointed a trembling finger at him.
His eyes shifted back and forth. “It was me who... what?”
“Your shadow. You—you were the one who took my gran.”
It all clicked together. That’s why he dreamt of me on that night, why he saw me. He was remembering what his shadow did. I hadn’t known such a thing was possible.
I stumbled back into the tall wildflowers. They rasped against my skin and wings.
His eyes widened. “Oh. Oh no—This isn’t what you think.”
“I think you’re already keeping things from me,” I said. “I think you’re a liar and that you’ve come for me now to finish the job, to take me like your shadow took my gran.”
“No, Poppy—” Leoni started, but Prince Lochlan shot her a look.
I shook my head. I knew it was too good to be true. They weren’t helping me out of the kindness of their hearts. Of course they weren’t. They just wanted something from me.
I’d been such a fool. I dug my foot into the ground and kicked up a swath of dust at the strangers, then spun on my heel and fled.
Callsfor my name echoed behind me, but I didn’t stop.
Wildflowers brushed against my face, some snagging on my wings and making me wince, something catching onto my satchel that thumped against my side. I ignored it all as I pumped my arms and legs, running as fast as I could toward the forest.
The prince might have the advantage of size and speed, but I knew this forest better than him, knew how to disappear into it.
“Poppy!” Prince Lochlan yelled from behind me, his voice closer than it had been just seconds ago. “Please wait!”
No, thank you. He reminded me of those snake charmers Gran had told me about who lived in the fire court. They’d sing and lull snakes into doing their bidding. Exactly like he was trying to do with me.
I wouldn’t let his pretty words and prettier smile distract me.
The forest rose ahead, and I darted through the pine trees and veered toward a thicket of vines that I could disappear through and into the darkness. They’d take the main pathway that led through the forest. They had to unless they wanted to get completely lost. That meant I had an advantage because I knew every nook and cranny of these woods. They wouldn’t be able to follow, as long as I left no trace behind. Using the path would be quicker, but my way ensured I’d stay hidden.
My wings folded behind my back, but thorns still snagged at them, ripping feathers that floated to the ground. I winced and quickly picked up the feathers, stuffing them in my satchel.
I kept running, adrenaline strengthening my resolve. My heart felt like it might pound right out of my chest, and my sides clenched and cramped, but still I ran.
Slowly, the calls in the distance melted away. Silence surrounded me as the forest grew darker, the trees looming tall, eyes peeking out from in between the pine-needled trees. My lungs burned as I gasped for breaths.
I finally slowed to a walk, bending over and planting my hands on my knees, when I realized I hadn’t heard the voices in a long, long time.
By now, my feet were numb, and I felt like I could sink down and sleep for an eternity. But I had to keep going. To get out of this forest and... and then I’d figure out where to go.
It took another half hour, but I’d almost reached the edge of the forest. A cobblestone road lay ahead through the trees, winding around the isle.
I stopped, glancing back behind me, but there was no one in sight. They were probably lost and wouldn’t make it here for quite some time.
It would just take a few steps and I’d be on the road, the farthest I’d ever been from my home. Gran had told me about this very road. She’d traveled it countless times. I’d even drawn a picture of it from her descriptions. It was just a road. Nothing remarkable, but when I stepped onto it, everything would change. I’d be going against everything Gran had told me.
“You don’t go beyond the forest, girl. There are dangers out there you don’t understand.”
I wished I did, and though I understood why Gran hadn’t told me the details, I couldn’t help but be frustrated by all her secrecy. Now she was gone, and I had no idea what the dangers were. No idea why it was dangerous for me to go beyond the forest. All I knew was that I had to.
