Page 65 of Through the Wicked Wood

“It was you who demanded we trust each other. Tell each other the truth,” she hisses, though her voice cracks at the end.

“I know,” I say again, taking another cautious step.

“I told you everything. I let you see the darkest parts of my being and yet you still kept this from me.” Her voice drops to a whisper, but she doesn’t back away as I finally approach.

“I know. I know and I’m sorry.” Regret weighs heavily on me as I reach out my hand again, grabbing her elbow to draw her closer. Her brows knit together as she resists my grasp before giving in. “I should have told you about Roman. About who I am.”

She meets my eyes. The fury in her shifts. Softens. Only for a moment until that steel armor clicks back into place. She’s retreating with every breath. Building her walls. “But you of all people must understand how terrifying it is for the world to know who you truly are.” She flinches but still holds my gaze. “We were born into what we are for a purpose. Whether you believe that to be true or not, you cannot deny the magick you wield at your fingertips, just as much as I cannot deny the title that is rightfully mine. Despite the men who have claimed the throne before me, please know that I am nothing like them.”

The clouds have parted and the droplets of rain quickly turn to sheets of water. We’ll be soaked in a matter of minutes if we don’t head for the trees. The pitter patter of the water hitting the ground fills the silence between us.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I say it again. I’ll say it a hundred times. “I didn’t know how you’d react knowing I was related to…him. After everything he's done.” She wriggles from my hold and takes a few steps back, leaning herself against a leafless birch tree. Using the sleeve of her cloak, she unsuccessfully wipes at the water falling onto her face. I can’t determine if it’s tears or rain but my heart drops. I’ve hurt her again, and I hate myself for it.

“What is it with you not letting me decide what I can and cannot handle?” she asks, crossing her arms. “I’m not some broken thing you’re responsible for fixing.”

Her voice is muddled through the heavy rainfall but her words pierce me just the same. I open my mouth to grovel. To beg. To do anything I need to do to get her to understand that keeping my true identity from her was more for her protection than anything else. But before I can, she cuts me off again. “Why convince me I meant something to you when you already had my word I’d help you into Valebridge?”

Baffled, I shake my head in confusion. “What do you mean?” I ask.

She says nothing in return. Staring her down, I scan her face. The hurt so blatantly displayed there. Had she thought I was insincere in my admission? That I didn’t care for her? The thought strikes me straight through my chest.

“Elora, I meant every word I said in that cavern.” Reaching up, I sweep her hair off her face. It’s matted from the rain, I tuck it behind her shoulder. “I would never hurt…” I stop myself. I can’t finish the sentence because it is untrue. Because I have hurt her. Taking a deep breath, I push my soaking hair back from my face, the dripping rain blurring my vision. My boots sink into the soggy earth as I lean closer to her. “I swear to you, I meant every word I said.”

“Or is it you just need something from me?” She shakes her head before continuing, “A pawn in your scheme to take the throne. You may as well add liar to your list of skills along with thief. I heard what you said to Galen. What do you plan to do with us when you’re in power?” She grits her teeth, and pushes against my chest with her fists. “You act as though you’re so much more righteous, but I’m beginning to see all the similarities between you and your brother after all. Lying, stealing, doing whatever suits you best.”

All these weeks, I thought Elora could see me for who I really am and not just for the things I’ve done. The things I do. I never proclaimed I was a decent man, though I’d argue my reasons for doing the things I’ve done make me less of a monster than him.

I step closer, placing my hands on either side of her head, caging her against the tree. Against my chest. Her chest heaves as she watches me. Her narrowed eyes like daggers thrown against my skin.

“I do what I have to do in order to keep my people safe,” I grit through my teeth, “for that I will never apologize.” I dip my head low enough to graze her ear. “If my methods make you uncomfortable, love,” I say, brushing her ear with my lips before pulling back to meet her eyes, “then by all means, leave. No one made you come here.” I don’t mean it, of course, but comparing me to Roman is just about the worst thing she can do, and I believe she knows it.

“Is that what you want, Sorin? For me to leave?” Her voice waivers, a flicker of doubt passing over her face.

Keeping my hands on either side of her, I don’t move and she doesn’t try to get away. Doesn’t use her magick to throw me across the bog like I’m sure she easily can. Instead, she watches me with a steady, unnerving calm. Of course I don’t want her to leave. I curse my pride for even saying the words.

Shaking my head in frustration, I expel a long breath. “Of course not I just—” Before I can finish a sharp pain pierces my right calf. Shock transforms my features as I glance down to see Ruse latched onto my leg. Through the rain, I didn’t hear her approach. Her teeth don’t quite sink into my skin but she flexes her jaw, as if to show me she’ll snap it completely shut any moment she deems fit. Drawing my widened eyes back to Elora, she meets me with a small, closed mouth grin.

Pushing my hands off the tree, uncaging her, I let them drop to my sides. Elora stays there for a moment, with her back pressed against the bark. Watching me. She doesn’t break our eye contact before she whispers, “Release.”

In an instant I’m free from the wolf’s grip. I let out a ragged breath but remain still, unsure if there’s another unspoken command I need to brace myself for. Pushing herself off the tree, Elora steps onto her toes to reach my mouth.

Her breath is warm against the cold bite of the rain as she pushes her lips so close that we’re almost kissing.

“The next time you lie to me,” she whispers, her lips brushing mine,“I will not be so generous.” Her words are clipped and fierce as she pushes her way around me, Ruse follows obediently.

I wait until she and Ruse are out of sight before I reach down and push my pant leg up to quickly assess any damage to my calf. There’s a few precise indentations that are sure to bruise but nothing more. Straightening myself, I roll my shoulders back before turning to catch up with the others. The sting of pain everytime I put weight on my right leg causes me to laugh.

Of course, the woman I’ve chosen has a pack of vicious wolves at her disposal and the ability to alter the elements. I suppose I wouldn’t settle for any less.

Chapter 33

Elora

The rain has ceased, leaving a blanket of gray to cover the dusk sky. An ominous caw sounds from the circling blackbirds above, their silhouettes ghost-like in the graying evening light. It’s as if they know we will never return the same. That is, if we ever return at all.

The wolves pace frantically at my sides, sensing what sinister presence lies just beyond. The five of us and the wolves stop at the entrance of the Wicked Wood. The trees whisper their sinister warning as the wind whips rapidly, tearing my hood from my head, stinging my eyes and exposed cheeks.

The residual dampness from the rain transforms into an eerie, mist-like fog. The once beautiful green pines we’ve been surrounded by are replaced by graying birch trees, their trunks etched with symbols I don’t understand. Black sap seeps from their peeling bark, the branches turn in on themselves creating a tunnel of darkness, no light from the moon to lead the way. Swallowing deeply, I will the voices to stay down. I’ll need all the clarity I can get before we enter. Despite my frustrations, I don’t pull my hand away as Sorin cautiously slips his fingers in mine. A silent offering of apology.

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