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Chapter 29
Bree
When they finally settled ontothe ground, Bree felt as though she could finally breathe again. She wasn’t certain she’d taken a single breath the entire flight across the realm. Not only had the ground been miles and miles below her, but she’d been pressed up so tight against Rafe’s muscular body...at times, it felt as though her fear didn’t evenexist.
“How was that?” he asked in a low murmur, his hands whispering against her waist for just a second toolong.
“It was absolutely terrifying,” she said, matter-of-factly. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad I got to see more of this realm, but I can’t say I’m a big fan of this flyingthing.”
He let out a low chuckle. “Then, shall I leave you here and let you walkback?”
He was joking, but she still gave him a light punch in the arm. But instead of taking the hit, he caught her fist in his hand, the light in his eyes growing as he stared into her eyes. Bree’s breath hitched, and her stomach tumbled over itself. There was a hunger in his silver eyes that was impossible to ignore. A hunger she felt deep down inside ofherself.
“This is Volcano Fate,” Rafe said quietly, still holding her fist in his hand. “They say if you cast a wish into the flames below that it will come true within ayear.”
She swallowed hard, every cell of her body on edge. “Is ittrue?”
Rafe lifted his shoulder in a shrug. “Some say it is true. Some say it is not. The only way to find out is to make a wishyourself.”
“What if I wanted to make a wish to leave this realm?” she asked in a whisper. “Would you let me doit?”
A sadness flickered in his eyes. “That is why I have brought you here. If that is the wish you want to make, Bree, then you should makeit.”
“Even if that meant getting out of here before the Prince needs his champion? Even if it means I don’t have to help youanymore?”
Bree didn’t know why she was probing so hard. She was trying to get a reaction out of him, a reaction he didn’t seem inclined togive.
I want him to tell me that he doesn’t want me to leave. I want him to tell me that he wishes I would stay here.Forever.
“Make the wish, Bree,” hesaid.
He knelt to the ground, chose a charred rock, and pressed it into Bree’s hand. “Once you make the wish, cast this into the volcano. You do not have to voice italoud.”
“Aren’t you going to make a wish?” she asked as she curled her hand around the ashyrock.
“I have already made a wish to Volcano Fate,” he said simply. “And we only get one. So be certain of yourwords.”
Bree’s heart began to thump hard. “Why are you doing this? You do realize that if this works, then I can leave. I thought you were on the Prince’s side. I thought you’d do anything forhim.”
“I would never doanythingfor anyone.” The moonlight overhead glinted against his silver eyes. “But yes, I do care about the Prince. He is like a brother to me. I want nothing more than to see him succeed in his quest for the throne. That does not mean I will support something I do not agree with. And I do not agree with keeping you against your will. If you wish to go, you should go. And I will not stand in yourway.”
For some insane reason she did not truly understand, Bree hesitated. Rafe was somehow giving her a chance. Would this wish work? She didn’t know. It seemed like a superstitious kind of thing that she had never been inclined to believe in. But over the past year, Bree had seen many things she’d never believed in. Fae were real. There were worlds beyond what she’d known when she’d been human. Shapeshifters could transform into monstrous beasts or beautiful ravens that soared through the skies. Magic was real, though unlike anything she’d ever imagined. There were no fireballs or wands. Only abilities beyond her wildestdreams.
So, Bree closed her eyes and said the words toherself.
I wish to find a way to return to myhome.
Bree sighed and dropped the rock into the volcano. She watched it fall into the fire, the flames eating the small speck of black. A strange sensation shuddered through her, and she suddenly knew deep within her gut that the volcano had heard herplea.
“Did you wish for it?” Rafeasked.
Bree tore her gaze from the fire and met his eyes. And suddenly, she felt so very sad. As much as she wanted to go home, she did not want to say goodbye to Rafe. At least she wouldn’t have to yet. It could take months or more for the volcano to give her what she’d asked. They still hadtime.
“I made a wish,” she said. “But I don’t want to say what itwas.”
But she could tell by the look on his face that he knew. “I hope you get what you want, even if it isnot—”
He cut himselfoff.
