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Taking both her hands in mine, I walk backward into the river, pulling her along with me. The chilly water nips at my ankles as we enter. Since it flows down from the snow-capped mountain range that skirts the edge of the Lux kingdom, it’s always chilly regardless of the time of year.
Passing the small rock blockage near the shoreline, I wade into the deep-blue water until I can barely touch the bottom. I release Lily’s hand and duck under the crisp water, allowing it to cool my heated skin.
As I break the surface, Lily drops under to do the same. I watch as the black bird from earlier drops from the sharp cliff face high above where Brightwick sits. It flaps silently through the air, circling above us before darting into the thick forest on the other side of the river without ever making a sound.
Lily treads water beside me and I can’t help but smile. Her long, red hair is slicked back and cascades down her shoulders. The freckles along her cheeks and nose accent her sweet face.
She notices me watching and turns toward me. Her lips pinch into a thin line.
“Do you think we’re Amari?” she asks hesitantly, watching for my reaction.
My soulmate.
“Yes,” I answer as the cords that link our hearts vibrate, confirming the deep bond we share.
Growing up, our mothers would tell us stories about Amari and the threads that bind two destined mortals, always leading them to one another, no matter the distance.
“And since we’re Amari, I get to kiss you as much as I want for the rest of our lives.” I swim to her and bring my lips to hers again, but she doesn’t kiss me back this time.
As I draw back, I notice Lily’s furrowed brow and that knot in my stomach twists. “What is it?” I ask, hoping she can’t hear the disappointment in my voice.
“I don’t know. Something feels off. Maybe we should head back to shore,” she answers, her breathing becoming rapid.
I rub a hand along her back. Her body trembles under my touch. Lily’s mother, Eleanor, says the gods will warn you of danger and to follow their intuition when they give it to you. Whatever has Lily’s instincts flaring can’t be good. We need to get moving.
I grab her hands in mine and start leading her back to shore.
“Theo, what’s that?” Lily’s voice quivers as her eyes lock on something in the distance.
Following her line of sight, my heart stops when I see glowing, white pupil-less eyes staring at us from just above the waterline.
“What is a nobu doing in Lux?” I ask, more of the gods than of her.
The scaly, gray skin on the nobu’s massive head barely crests the surface of the water. Only its long snout; large, high-set eyes; and small, rounded ears are visible.
The nobu are monsters of Umbra, a dark shadow kingdom filled with cruel and evil beings. I’ve only ever read about their beasts in books. I never expected to see one with my own eyes. The nobu hide in the rivers of Umbra and eat unsuspecting fools who dare to step foot on their land.
Why in the realm is it here?
“We need to go. Now.” I say quietly, but forcefully, as I cautiously retreat toward the safety of the shore, avoiding any sudden movements.
I walk backward, dragging Lily with me, while ensuring I don’t break eye contact with the nobu.
As if sensing its meal getting away, the nobu charges. It glides effortlessly as it rushes toward us, barely disturbing the water.
“Run!” I shout, turning forward and quickening our pace.
Using the rocky bottom as leverage, I push us hard to the shore. Lily frantically kicks her legs under the water behind her. My heart hammers in my chest as I gasp for air.
Small ripples churn in the water, seeming to vibrate around us. Lily squeezes her face into a pained expression.
“Theo,” her voice wobbles with uncertainty.
I don’t stop. I need to get us to shore as fast as possible. When I glance back, the empty, glowing eyes of the nobu are still on us.
We finally make it where Lily can touch bottom, and we both use it to thrust further away, trying to gain as much distance as possible. The monster is only a few feet away now.
My eyes find Lily’s for a moment, and my realm slows as her panic-filled eyes slash through me.I know what I must do.
