I was so afraid right now, more scared than I ever had been in my entire life. And yet… perhaps I could still get past this, and the magic would save me, whether I believed or not.
I had to take action, no matter what my emotions or logic was telling me. I’d be pulled down into the whirlpool whether I chose to or not. Might as well go willingly.
Gotta have faith, right? Except this was the craziest thing I’d ever done. I looked at Ethan, and he caught the desperation in my gaze.
“Come on!”
I wasn’t sure if he could hear me, but he’d get the message. I gritted my teeth and prayed that I was right as I launched myself off the remains of the longship and into the center of the whirlpool.
Immediately, the water took control. I became completely submerged, my body trapped within the confines of the maelstrom. My limbs were ripped from side to side so harshly, I thought they might be yanked off, and I closed my eyes to deal with the pain as the water engulfed me. It was like being swallowed whole by some great beast.
I was wondering if I’d be ripped apart or drowned first before I felt my body connect with solid land. My skin hit sand, and I gasped, coughing up water. My eyes opened. Sunlight was all around me as I struggled to my knees, looking around.
I’d landed on an island. I had no idea how I’d gotten here— seconds ago I’d been caught up in the spray of the storm, and now, I was lounging on a beach in the middle of morning. There were beautiful swaying trees all around me, and a forest bloomed just a short distance away. The entire island smelled like flowers. It was some sort of deciduous forest.
There was a coughing sound next to me. Ethan had appeared where he wasn’t before. His eyes were crazed as he gazed at me, spitting up water, his fur completely soaked.
Down the shoreline, Vara and Arthur were already waiting, letting the waves wash over them as they attempted to recover from the whirlpool’s power. Tygrys buzzed above my head in circles and kissed my head, pleased that I’d followed him.
The whirlpool must’ve been some sort of portal. It was a test to see if you took action despite your lack of belief. It only worked if you chose to face your fearswillinglydespite the obvious reality looming over you. Amazing magic.
I took some time to steady myself and catch my breath. When the world stopped spinning, I got to my feet, and turned in place. I finally decided to start listening to Vara, and tuned into my magic— the sensations pounding through my blood told me we’d landed in a realm of someone with great power.
This was it. We’d made it to the island of the Spring Princess in one piece.
But would we be able to leave?
Chapter Seventeen
Ethan
Well, that was a new experience I never wanted to have.
I staggered to my paws, and helped Emma up. Both of us were covered in cuts and bruises from the maelstrom. Arthur looked similarly worn, though Vara appeared to have escaped the whirlpool mostly unscathed.
“Do you think the babies are all right?” Arthur asked. He was crouching at Vara’s side, nose pressed to her belly in concern.
“I believe so. I can still feel them moving inside of me,” Vara said. “I don’t think the storm hurt them.”
“Thank the gods.” Arthur turned to us. “We made it to the island. Now all we have to do is find the Spring Princess.”
“Good,” Emma grumbled. “Let’s get at it.”
Emma stumbled forward, and nearly fell over. I had to catch her before she hit the sand. Tygrys gave a tiny growl of concern.
“Emma, you need to rest,” I insisted. “You’re exhausted.”
“There’s no time.” She tried to rip her arm out of my grasp, but the attempt was frail at best. “We can rest once we get the Seelie stone. Edinmyre’s time is unpredictable. We don’t know how much time has passed back on Earth.”
That much was true. We couldn’t linger here. Even so, I worried about the repercussions to Emma’s health if we continued forward.
“Get on my back. At least you won’t have to walk,” I offered.
Emma didn’t object, pulling herself onto my back. Her head hung, as if she was having trouble staying upright.
I certainly hoped the Spring Princess didn’t desire a fight once we entered her court. Emma was in no shape for it. I could feel her hands shaking as she clung to my fur to stay on.
“You should ride too, Vara.” Arthur used his head to help boost his mate onto his back. We ventured into the forest, keeping our wits about us.
