Page 162 of Cursed Evermore
“They're beautiful.”
“Tending to them makes me feel close to my mother. I'm sure you must be aware that she's no longer with us.”
I nodded with sympathy. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Could you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell Wolfe or the others that you saw me. They don’t like it when we argue. Arielle and Alaric especially try to patch things between us, and I’m not ready to speak to Wolfe yet. I need time for things to settle down first.”
Gods, now I really wanted to know what had happened between them. It sounded like they must have had one hell of a falling out. “Sure. I can definitely do that.”
“Elariya!” Arielle called me again, sounding much closer.
I would have called back to her, but I didn't want to reveal Zyrra's presence.
“Go, before she starts panicking.” Zyrra chuckled softly.
“It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.”
I gave her one last smile then turned to walk back up the path. I looked behind me to wave farewell, but she wasn't there anymore.
I stopped and looked around. She'd literally disappeared into thin air. Maybe she'd phased or portaled.
“There you are.” Arielle appeared, slightly breathless.
I turned around to greet her. “Sorry. I just went out for a walk.”
“That's okay. Are you ready for the spell?” Arielle bit the inside of her lip.
“Ready as I'll ever be.”
“Try to stay calm and think positive.”
“I'm trying.” I gave her a nervous smile.
“Come. Everything is set up and ready to go.”
I guessed that meant Wolfe was here.
What would seeing him be like after all these days apart? I supposed I'd find out sooner rather than later.
I inhaled a shaky breath and followed Arielle back inside. Everything that was supposed to happen next lay with this spell.
All my life, I'd been obsessed with spell casting. Now I was so nervous my insides trembled like they were going to fall apart.
We went underground to the Hollow Room, a hall the Nightblades used for high-level spells. Arielle had told me it was created using the same spatial magic as the Hollow Realm to make it undetectable.
Runes lined the walls of the entrance right through the hallway and into the large, spacious room that reminded me of the grand abbey in Stormfell. Ancient symbols pulsed with their own inner light, making the air hum with barely contained power.
Then I saw him.
Wolfe stood at the head of the hall looking as devastatingly handsome as ever in his full-black attire, his hair tied back in that way that emphasized the sharp angles of his face.
My heart faltered at the sight of him, tripping over itself as it tried to resume its usual rhythm. Gods, I was a complete mess and he hadn't even spoken to me yet.
