Page 113 of Nocturn

The bloom in my stomach that perked up when I thought of him wilted.

CHAPTER FORTY

Closer

Iwoke with a jolt. Lucinda hovered over me, shaking my shoulders.

“You sleep like the dead,” she muttered and released me. “We have to get off the wagon. Now.”

I rubbed my eyes, sitting up. Moonlight spilled through the slats. How long had we traveled?

Piper was still stretching, but I hugged her to my chest and used the wall to stand. Lucinda gave me no other option since she was already striding to the front, not allowing me to ask questions.

As soon as I was standing, she went to the double doors and crouched.

‘Don’t be shocked, her wraithling is behind you,’ Piper said, her tone unsteady. I didn’t have to turn around. Fur brushed against my leg, reaching closer to my hip than my knee.

A panther prowled past, her silky coat rippling over her lean body. I sucked in a stunned breath. They must have kept her separated from her wraithling too. The council would be foolish not to—not with the claws on this one.

‘Scary,’ Piper muttered, subdued. ‘Did you ever wish for a bigger wraithling?’

“Never,” I said into her fur, squeezing her.

Metal slid against wood, and Lucinda unlatched one side of the large swinging doors by pulling the metal bolt from the notch.

“We’ll have to jump,” she announced, her voice almost fading with the clop of hooves and crunch beneath the wheels.

I gawked at the dirt road flashing past. Lucinda nodded once, and she jumped out, rolling as she went. Her wraithling pounced and caught itself perfectly, head swiveling.

‘She’s psychotic,’ Piper muttered.

Indeed.

“Hold on to me.”

I tucked her against my chest and crouched. The door swung, and I took the opportunity to jump before my thoughts talked me out of it. I landed on my side, rolling. I kept myself curled forward to protect Piper. Sharp pain burst across my thigh and knee. My back took the brunt of the next slam, and I rolled on my knees until I landed on my side again.

‘Are you all right?!’

I splayed out on my back, groaning.

‘Amara!’

I groaned again.

‘Saints, you frightened me!’ She squealed.

“It took you long enough,” Lucinda said. “We have to get off the main road.” She reached down, offering me her hand. I took it and she hoisted me up. I hissed through my teeth. “Mother said we would meet someone you know here.”

I swept my gaze around, expecting Liadan.

“Through the foliage, there is a small village.” She began to trudge forward. “Just remain quiet and follow my path. She’ll lead the way.” I followed her gaze to her wraithling half veiled by the shadowed forest.

Lucinda had already begun to stride after it, and I hurried to limp after her. Lucinda disappeared between the trees with the ease of someone whose body still belonged entirely to her. I dragged my ruined hip after her and tried not to think about whose fault it was that I couldn’t keep up.

‘How bad is it?’

“I’ll be fine,” I murmured, trying not to throw up from how much agony traveled through my limbs.