“Myrwood Grove is alive with dark magic—it will attempt to break you in ways you can’t imagine. Not just anyone can pass through the Grove.”
“Break us how?” Lioran asked.
Cora looked away from Lioran. “That I can’t answer. It is all we know. Only fragments of tales remain of those who travel there.”
“And if it doesn’t think we are worthy?” I hesitated to ask.
“I don’t know what happens.” She gripped the table.
“Did you see the end?” My voice creaked. Every muscle in my body stiffened as she exhaled, staring out the window.
“I can’t determine if what I saw was the end.” It wasn’t like Cora to hold back—she was hiding something.
“Don’t tell us then,” Lioran interjected.
“Lioran,” I snapped. “It’s my fate. I need to know.”
“And if you hear you don’t survive? Then what? You won’t have the will to hold on—Ineedyou to hold on.” Each word was more desperate than the last—the light in his eyes dimmed.
“It will deplete you entirely?—”
“Don’t say another word.” His hands slapped the table. The flatware bounced, and I jolted upright.
“She deserves to know,” Cora insisted.
Lioran braced himself against the back of his chair. “How can I protect her? She needs to be the one to walk out of the Grove.”
Fyn bit his lip at Lioran’s words.
“Why does it have to be me?” I asked. His chest rose, his lips parted, but he said nothing.
“I don’t know that you can,” Cora said.
“We will bear the weight of this together and the stars will decide.” I wanted to believe each word I spoke. He had risked everything—given me everything.
Sunlight caught on the emerald on my finger, casting a green glow on the walls. Heat sifted through my body as the room spun. I clutched onto Lioran’s arm, hoping he could steady me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My nerves are getting the best of me.” Nausea spiraled within me.
Lioran’s jaw clenched, his arms stiffened against the chair.
“Try to eat something.” Cora moved the plate closer to me.
“I can’t.” My stomach would never settle to handle it.
Fyn shifted nervously in his seat.
“We will need to arrange everything we can for the journey. Fyn, I’ll need your help.” Lioran’s fingers trailed down my arm. He squeezed my hand. “Cora, please keep an eye on her.”
Cora followed them both to the door. When Fyn slipped through, she pulled Lioran back. “She’s barely eaten anything since our visit to the High Court.”
“She will eat when she’s ready.” Lioran’s words were firm, but there was something behind his eyes. Maybe his fear was just as crippling as mine.
“I think she needs to see a healer. Maybe Rowena has something that can help with her nerves.” Cora stepped in front of him, blocking the door.
“All of this is to be expected, considering the situation.” Gently, he guided her aside and left.
