Page 144 of Cursed Evermore
She smiled wider. “It can be terrifying if you linger.”
“And people use this regularly?”
“Allthe time.” She chuckled softly. “Wolfe and Alaric practically live in there like a second home. Those with shadow magic are drawn to spaces like that.”
I remembered when I asked Wolfe about his magic. He told me just enough to satisfy my interest but also made me more curious. Curious about his magic andhim.
“Is Alaric like Wolfe? He seems like he is.” I worded the question carefully, hoping to disguise my interest in Wolfe. Knowing my luck she’d tell me that Wolfe always had a woman on his arm too.
“He has the same brooding personality, but Wolfe’s temperament is far worse and unlike Alaric he has a filter.”
“You think Wolfe has a filter?” I raised my brows, thinking back to some of the crass things Wolfe had said to me.
“On some level.” She laughed, the sound bright and musical. Then her expression became thoughtful, almost reverent. “Wolfe has a quiet humanity and compassion that most people don’tsee. He likes to hide it behind the mask of the ruthless leader, but you see that side of him every now and again and it surprises you.”
I didn't know Wolfe that well, or really at all, but I knew exactly what she meant. And I agreed. I'd seen and felt it for myself in stolen moments that felt too precious to examine closely.
Beneath the darkness that shrouded the god of the underworld, I'd glimpsed his light when he'd saved me from the Ruskiel and when he'd flown with me this morning. Those moments felt like secrets shared between us.
“Maybe he has to be that way because he's the leader,” I offered, though it felt like I was grasping for an explanation that might make sense of my conflicted feelings.
“Perhaps.”
“What about Bastian?” She hadn't mentioned him yet, and now that I had, her cheeks colored fiercely.
“Oh Bastian... he's um, the best. He's literally the best. There's... no one like him.” The twinkle in her eyes and wistful tone of her voice told me everything she felt, a love so bright it practically radiated from her skin. “He's different from anyone I've ever met. The kind of guy who will go to battle for you without question.”
“That's a big deal.”
“Yeah,heis.”
I waited for her to elaborate but she didn't. She just smiled sheepishly, lost in whatever memories made her glow like that.
Arielle seemed like the type of person who would tell me if she and Bastian were a couple, especially since she was sharing the group dynamics so openly. So I gathered they may not be together like thatyet. It was clear from her eyes though that she desperately wanted to be.
“We could talk about those guys all day, and there's loads to tell you about everyone else, but we mustn't lose the light.” She glanced up at the sky where the sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon. “Restoring magic is always best in daylight, so let's see what we can do to work on your powers.”
“I'd love that. It would be amazing to feel my magic again.”
“Indeed. Also, having your powers will help immensely with the tracking spell. I want to give you the best chance of locating the ring quickly. That way I can get you back to your family and fiancé as soon as possible.”
Fiancé. The word struck like cold steel between my ribs. I smiled and said nothing, because saying the truth aloud would unravel me too fast.
From the look in her eyes, I could see she thought I was eager to get back to Thayden, that he represented some great love waiting for me.
She also looked like she wanted to ask me more about him but was holding back out of politeness. If only she knew that marrying him would be the one thing I'd change about going home.
I didn't correct her or make her any wiser. Not because I didn't trust her enough to share my feelings about Thayden, but because I didn't want to talk about him when I had more pressing things weighing on my mind. “Do you think Wolfe will release me when this is over?”
“I think it would be unconscionable if he didn't. When he gets his ring back, he'll be the king. I doubt he'd want to appear spiteful and make enemies of the mortal realm by keeping you hostage.”
“That's reassuring to hear.” It was hopeful, if nothing else. Having Wolfe release me would certainly make it easier to get home than attempting to escape. Though I had a sinking feelingthat nothing would be as simple as that. Nothing involving Wolfe Nightblade ever seemed to be.
“Now, come. Let's focus on magic.” Arielle nodded, resuming her former enthusiasm.
“Are you sure this is going to work?” I raised a questioning brow.
“It's already working.”
