I walk, one foot in front of the other, and hold Ever in my arms.
I stop and rest when I’m told. And start again when I’m told.
Until we find a proper path. A road. More houses and settlements.
And as the dark descends, a village, close enough to the sea to arrange for a boat and a trip home.
“We leave for Estereah in the morning on a trade ship. One cabin,” Kalan informs me from where we rest on the outskirts of the village.
“Fine.”
Ever is still breathing. But still no change.
“Let’s go.” I move to pick Ever up again, but a gust of wind sweeps the clouds from the sky, revealing Aslendrix, a swipe of golden white light shining down at us.
Ever moves, taking a gasp of breath as she lunges forward. Her eyes blink, and she moves her head.
“Ever? Ever, it’s Ten. You’re okay. You’re okay,” I repeat as I move my arms to her shoulders. “I’ve got you.”
“Ten?” Her voice scratches over the letters of my name. She blinks, looking at me, her eyes still sparkling with moonlight. “I want to go home.”
twenty-eight
. . .
Ever
Movement. Voices. Familiar voices. A voice that stirs a memory of comfort and safety, so I give in to my body and let myself drift back out to oblivion.
It’s quiet here. Peaceful. There’s an ease, a lightness, but something is pulling me back. Going around and around, pulling me in, bringing me closer to something before I lose the ability to grasp it again.
It’s all a haze. In and out.
Over and over again.
But the next time I open my eyes, I want to keep them open. I remember Ten. I remember his warm, rich eyes, and I don’t want to close mine to them.
“Hi.” My lips stick together as I try the words, words that scrape my throat as I speak. My tongue is dry, and a thirst suddenly hits, followed by a dizzy spell that makes me want to fall back under all over again.
As I watch him, the movement and the gentle roll of the floor beneath us sparks fear in my gut. I know that feeling. We’re on a ship.
Fenix.
Pain. Blood. Fighting.
Images that I wish weren’t memories invade and tinge any sense of comfort I’ve just found as I replay them in my mind.
“Where are we?” My hands cradle my head as I try to breathe through the nausea. My eyes crack open again, and I search the room, only to find Kalan on a stool at the other end of the tight room.
“Heading home. You’re safe. We’re all safe.” Ten’s voice is placating, calming, but there’s something in his eyes. He takes my hand in his, but the usual hum and energy between us isn’t there. Just… nothing.
“What?” I look down to where we’re connected, and wrap my fingers around his, waiting for the usual flashes or pain to start, but they don’t come. My heart begins to thunder before he lets go. “Ten?”
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head and slides his eyes away from me.
I look to Kalan, and then back to Ten, and check around the room one more time. “Where’s Crimson?”
Numb.
