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Saint Augustine was stunning with its Spanish architecture and ocean views. Sorrel seemed to become more alive the closer they got to the coast. She rolled down her window, breathed in the salt air, and let her hair whip in the wind.
“I hope you’re planning on going somewhere warm and near the beach,” Eric commented.
Sorrel turned to him with concern in her red, tired eyes. “You’re not coming with me?”
Eric thought he detected a hint of disappointment in her tone. Maybe it was wishful thinking. “No. I’ll be staying in the States to make sure my family doesn’t follow you.”
“How will you find them?”
“I have my ways.”
“How?” She wasn’t going to let it go.
“The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
She folded her arms. “I’m tired of people keeping things from me because they think I’m some delicate little creature.”
Eric wanted to reach over and caress her cheek or at the very least hold her hand, but he settled for a quick glance and a smile. “That’s not why. You’re braver than anyone I know. It’s like I told you that night on the riverbank, it’s a rare opportunity to be in the presence of someone like you, who reminds us all of what we could be—should be. And I think those of us lucky enough to get to know you all want to preserve your innocence that enchants us all.” From the corner of Eric’s eye, he could see Sorrel wiping her eyes.
“You know, you really make it hard to hate you.” Sorrel’s voice was filled with emotion.
“I’m glad.” If anything, he didn’t want to die knowing Sorrel hated him.
As they wended their way around Saint Augustine, Eric couldn’t help but look out and be jealous of all the happy couples and families enjoying the centuries-old architecture and myriad of restaurants. All while he was driving the woman he loved toward what was sure to be a gut-wrenching experience.
Sorrel was also looking out the window as if she, too, wished she could trade places with one of the tourists. “Eric, if you can find your family, can they find us?” Her voice trembled.
“Eventually they will, which is why I’m staying behind. You’re sure no one knew your mother’s new identity or where she lived?”
“I don’t think so—she wouldn’t even tell me until I told her the book had been stolen.”
“That should buy us some time. Still, you should leave as soon as possible.”
“What will happen to you?”
Eric patted her bare knee. “Are you worried about me?”
She took a moment to answer. “Yes, though I don’t know if I should be.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
She didn’t reply other than to lean her head against the window and hug Tara.
Once they turned onto the road where her mother lived, or used to live, Sorrel sat straight up, on high alert. It was a long stretch of road dotted by coastal homes and palm trees. The back of each house faced the street, and they all looked similar—boxy with two-car garages in varying shades of tan.
“Her house number is 475,” she informed Eric.
Eric crept slowly down the road and, unfortunately, too many people saw them. These damn beach dwellers were too friendly—waving and smiling as if they were in a parade. Eric and Sorrel half-heartedly waved back, trying to act normal. Thankfully her mother lived at the end and the farthest away from any other neighbor. It made sense to Eric, considering Sorrel had said her mother didn’t like mortals.
When they pulled into her driveway, Eric stiffened. The garage door was open, showing off her mother’s white Audi. Sorrel faced Eric with her brows raised in suspicion while she tightly gripped her seat.
Eric shifted the SUV into park. “Stay here. I’m going to go check the house.”
She grabbed his arm. “You can’t leave me alone.”
The terror in her eyes killed him. He took her hand, and it wasn’t lost on him how well her delicate fingers seemed to intertwine perfectly with his. Their surreal connection was just as strong as it always had been. He didn’t care if the damn curse had initially manufactured it, it felt more real now than ever. “Sorrel, it’s me who shouldn’t want to be without you. You possess a power a hundred times stronger than anything I can do. The light inside of you can overpower my family.”
She shook her head. “No. You’re mistaken.”
He kissed her hand and she didn’t flinch, giving him some hope that she didn’t hate him. “I saw it with my own eyes. How do you think we escaped the warehouse?”
She nibbled on her pouty lip. “I don’t remember.”
“You will. Just give it some time.”
“My dad told me a story once about Princess Sorrel and the special light she had in her. I could hear his voice reminding me of it when I was trying to heal myself from the water poisoning,” she admitted reluctantly.
