“I’m sorry,” I heard the seer whisper, but her voice sounded far away. Slowly, the sounds of screams penetrated my ears, and my limbs felt as if they were on fire. It was the most excruciating pain I had ever felt before.“Theychoseher.”
Part Two
THREADS OF FATE
Memory
300 YEARS AGO…
Twigs and stones scraped the soles of my feet as I ran along the path, giggling to myself.
I just had to reach the clearing, and I’d win. But, just as the trees broke apart, revealing a garden filled with dandelions, an arm slid across my waist.
As my breath escaped my lungs, I was ripped to the side and tumbled into the grass against a hard chest.
“Got you,” he whispered, rolling me until my back pressed against the ground, and he hovered over me.
My stomach ached from laughter, and I couldn’t help but revel in the beauty that was Kaiden. His tan skin all but glistened under the sun, his black hair wild and untamed from running. I would never say it aloud, but he was more handsome than any of the gods I had seen. Even the markings that painted his skin like a portrait seemed to elevate the unearthly beauty he practically emanated.
“My Lord,” I said breathlessly. “I believe you may have cheated.”
“Me? Cheat?” He leaned down, bringing his lips to my cheek, and grazed my skin ever so slightly. “Why on earth would I do that?”
Butterflies stormed in my stomach, fluttering relentlessly from his touch. “You know why,” I whispered.
Ihad promised him that if he caught me, I would let him kiss me. We had yet to kiss and, well, in truth, I had wanted him to win.
He trailed his lips across my cheek painfully slowly until they hovered just above mine. “May I collect my winnings then, my lady?” he teased, letting the static energy between us buzz until it felt like lightning dancing within the air.
“You may.”
Chapter 10
MORRIGAN
Fire. Flames. And screams that were so loud they embedded themselves into my ears in a hollow echo.
The memory played in my head over and over, similar to the nightmares I used to have when I was a child—running from Cain, Azrael’s heart beating so loud you could practically hear it, the bridge, then…
As if someone struck me in my gut, I sucked in the most painful breath I had ever felt. My lungs were dry and begging for air, like I hadn’t had any for so long. I was hit with the sensation of ice scratching my insides the more I inhaled, but it quickly subsided and morphed into a dry, coughing fit. Something crunched beneath my palms as I sat up, trying to regain control over my body. But somewhere nearby, I could hear softer coughs.
It took every ounce of my strength to peel open my eyes and search for the familiar sound. “Az…” I tried to say, but my throat scratched itself like sandpaper with each letter.
Eventually, what started as blurry shapes slowly sharpened, and I realized that we were outside.The bridge… We fell… There was fire…When Azrael coughed again, I shelved every thought in my mind and crawled toward him where he lay against the white ground. His blindfold hung low around his neck. It had slipped down his face at some point as Cain chased us.
“Az,” I cleared my throat, “Azrael… I’m here.”
His tiny lips wobbled as they parted. “Princ?—”
“Don’t speak. It’s fine. I’ve got you,” I rasped, sliding my hands beneath him to lift his body. I paused when I realized that the white substance—which appeared to besnowon the ground—wasn’t actually cold. It was such a small detail to stump me, but an unsettling feeling began to blossom in my chest.Why would the snow not be cold?
I half expectedhimto answer for me, but my subconscious seemed to be vacant at the moment. When Azrael stirred again, I shook my head and picked him up. My legs wobbled as I tried to stand.
“W-Where are w-we?” he choked out, his frail voice like a whistled whisper against my ear.
“I don’t know.” Naturally, my eyes trailed upward, searching for the source of white flecks that still fell from the sky. “But at least we’re outside.”
“It’s snowing,” he whispered against my shoulder, reaching out a hand to feel it. “I’ve never seen snow before.”
