Page 92 of Cursed Evermore
Before long, the tray was clear, and I hated how the simple act of eating—and choosing to wear these clothes—felt like surrendering.
No. It wasn’t. I had to believe it wasn't.
This was survival.For now.
I'd spent five years adapting to a curse that stole my memories every month. I had to do the same thing here.Adapt.
That was the only way I’d escape this situation. And I had to be smart.
I closed the door then retreated to the window bay, where I sat, and thought, and tried to calm myself.
Hours passed in that room as I got lost in my mind, trying to formulate and brainstorm a plan.
I considered everything I’d been told and thought about the people I’d seen so far aboard this vessel—Wolfe, Arielle, the two Fae guards, and Sirril.
I sensed that not many of Wolfe's people had journeyed on this mission, but I felt there was more than what I'd seen. Knowing only helped with my awareness of those around me. But this ship was just the beginning. I guessed that when we arrived in Galaythia, everything would be as different as night and day.
I had no idea what to expect or how I’d even manage to get back to the mortal realm. Whether I did it by ship or land, I’d need a way to get through the Veil. One did not simply walk through it.
The Veil was a hundred-foot-wide wall of mystical magic infused with incantations and spells that had kept it functioning for several millennia. It ran across realms, oceans and seas, separating magical folk from mortals in accordance with the Accords. To travel through, you needed a magical pass.
Only the gods knew how I'd come by such a thing if I managed to escape the freaking prince of Galaythia. I was hisprisoner by law. I was certain the punishment for trying to escape would be similar to that of the mortal realm—death.
The word echoed in my mind, pulsing dread into my soul.
I couldn'tdielike this. Not this way. Taken captive for shit I had no part of.
No. I refused to accept that fate. There had to be a way out that didn't involve death or any other undesirable outcome.
Another batch of food magically appeared on the empty tray just after the noon sun. More dishes from home, which I ate.
Once I was done, the walls of the cabin felt like they were closing in. I needed some air, so I grabbed the shawl from the stack of clothes, wrapped it around my shoulders, and ventured outside of the room.
The silent hallway enveloped me, tense with the weight of unseen eyes, as if the walls themselves were alive and stood guard over me.
The air held the sharp bite of salt beneath layers of sandalwood and polish, scents that did nothing to mask the dark power sleeping in the ship’s bones. Each creak of the timber felt like a warning, as if the vessel itself tracked my movements with its unseen eyes.
I pressed on, ignoring the feeling even though discomfort churned my stomach like spoiled milk. I hated that I couldn’t entirely be certain if the fear genuinely came from inside me, or if the ship wanted me afraid.
Still, I walked. Because if I turned back, I might start screaming and never stop.
The deck boards sighed beneath my feet as I emerged into open air, where reality seemed to blur at the edges. The only thing that felt familiar to me was the cerulean sky above and the endless sea.
Salt-laden wind played through my hair with curious fingers, growing stronger with every step I took. The shock I experiencedyesterday when I discovered I was on a ship had faded somewhat. Now the beauty of my surroundings stole my breath away and called to me to lose myself.
I looked about me, feeling grateful and more at ease when I realized no one else was around.
Good. I just needed a moment to clear my head.
I found a spot near the bow, where I watched as the waves of the sea slapped against the ship as we sailed by.
I didn’t know these waters. Already I could see from the deep hues of green with touches of violet that I was nowhere near home.
The hum of magic thrumming through the air was almost tangible here. It grew stronger with each league we sailed. I guessed that meant we could be approaching the Veil.
Grandmother said that going through the Veil was like getting a dose of raw, undiluted magic. Everything was different. From the sky above to the land beneath and everything in between.
Grandmother.How I missed her.
