Theo’s lips twitched into a smirk.
“And not together, Theo.”
He huffed out a laugh.“Fine, but you don’t know what you’re missing.”He winked before sauntering toward the direction of the water.
I rolled my eyes but welcomed the light-heartedness, grateful for the way he could pull me from the edge of darkness with nothing more than a ridiculous comment and that infuriating grin.After a moment’s hesitation, I followed.
The cool water was like a blessing from the Heavens, washing away my sweat and fear.I dunked my head beneath the surface, letting the chill seep into my bones.My skin felt new again, no longer burdened with the grime of travel and nightmares.
Sunlight cascaded over the river, causing the water to glisten like scattered diamonds.I took a moment to savour it—to hold on to something beautiful before we continued our journey into the unknown.
I caught Theo trying to steal a glance in my direction, but before he could get away with it, Tavrik smacked the back of his head.
Theo cursed, rubbing the sore spot.“That was uncalled for.”
I bit back my smile as I waded toward the shore, wringing out my hair.
“That was amazing,” I said.“Thank you for coming with me.”
“You’re welcome,” they replied in unison before turning to glare at each other again.
I chuckled, patting them both on the back as I moved between them.“Come on, let’s go.”
As I walked ahead, I could still hear their whispered bickering.
I shook my head.
Men.
The wash in the lake kept me clean for all of a few minutes.The merciless sun blazed down from a sky so blue it hurt to look at.Every inch of my body was slick with sweat, my tunic clinging to my back like another layer of skin.My hair—barely having dried—was damp again, strands plastered to my forehead and neck.
I dragged my feet, wincing as another blister formed on my heel.
The pull had become an insistent pressure against my chest.Too strong.Too demanding.
I glanced to Theo, who looked like death itself was about to claim him.His face flushed red, sweat streaming down his temples.Hours ago, he’d torn off his shirt and fashioned it into a makeshift turban around his head, the fabric now dark and heavy with moisture.
“How much longer?”Theo whined, stumbling over a rock and catching himself with a curse.
Tavrik—who somehow managed to make the hellish trek seem effortless—lifted his head, squinting against the harsh light.The corner of his mouth quirked up at Theo’s dishevelled state.“We should reach the Veil by tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.
My stomach clenched into a tight knot.
I had no choice.I’d rather die at their hands than let Zaheera harm my mother.The thought of her sitting all alone, wondering where I’d gone, sent a piercing pain through my chest that no physical wound could match.
“Do you have any family, Tavrik?”I asked, billowing my tunic in a desperate attempt to generate air.All it did was waft more scorching heat up toward my face.
He slowed his steps to fall in line with me.“I have no family left.”
Theo’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes distant.He was probably thinking of his own family that he’d lost.
“My mother passed a while back,” Tavrik continued.“No siblings.Just me.”He swept aside some branches, clearing a path for me.
His features remained carefully composed, but I could read the loss in the slight tightening of his neck and the subtle jump of muscle in his jaw.I had learned long ago that the greatest pains were revealed in the smallest tells.
I wanted to ask more, to know his story, but a sudden movement caught my eye—a blur of russet-coloured fur darting between the trees.
