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ZARA
My body is humming. I’m tired from being on the astral plane. The anxiety of revealing myself to all these people hits me hard. I look over my shoulder as I get in the small cart that people ride around in all over the island. My gaze lands on the dark-haired stranger that makes my pulse leap.
Rhys. His name is Rhys.
The moment our gazes connected, shivers juddered through my body. I’d wanted to cross the clearing and touch him right then. That is not a normal reaction to seeing someone. So, I stayed put, with a strange floating sensation that made me feel disconnected from my body. Despite the lack of control, I get the sense that I’m right where I need to be.
I’ve spent the last month hiding on this island, stealing clothes and food when I could and waiting for someone to catch me. Either for my thievery or by the Duke. When I close my eyes at night, I can still hear his roar of fury when I’d jumped through the veil. He hadn’t come tumbling through after me, but I can’t help but feel like there’s a sword over my head, swinging closer to my neck with each day that passes.
It’s been difficult to learn much about this place and its inhabitants while hiding. I saw Ruby once before tonight. I didn’t know that was her name, but it suits her. She’s so bright and vibrant, with her purple hair and the clashing patterns of her clothing. Seeing her was like looking at a more spirited reflection of myself in a mirror. We look so much alike that I even wondered if we are the same person, just from different worlds. She’s from the human realm and I’m from Fairy.
Except, I’m not truly from Fairy. I don’t know much about where I came from, but the Fae were always quick to call me a changeling, as if it’s a dirty word. To the High Court it is. To them, humans are inferior beings whose only purpose is to serve.
“I don’t do well with silences. I’m just going to let you know upfront.” Ruby squirms in her seat as she starts the little cart and drives us down a well-worn path. I hold on to my seat, clutching at the leather, as my heart does flips in my chest.
“Oh. That’s fast,” I gasp out, wondering if there’s something better to hold on to.
Ruby looks at me with a lifted brow. “I’m barely going ten miles per hour.”
Even though I’m cold, sweat beads on my forehead and my stomach churns with queasiness. I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath.
“Shit. Are you going to yak?”
“Yak?” I repeat, not sure what she’s talking about.
“Puke. Throw up. Barf.”
“Please stop saying those words.”
Ruby laughs and I have the surprising urge to shove her shoulder. “Glad to see you’re not as quiet as you appear.” She pauses and then goes on. “Is this your first time in an ATV?”
“Is that what this death cart is called?”
“Oh my God.” Ruby barks out another laugh. “People can run as fast as we’re moving. We’re going to have to work on your tolerance.”
There’s something in her tone and words that warms me deep inside. She’s expecting me to stay here. The thought makes me happier than it should, especially because I know nothing about her beyond that she looks just like me.
“Brief update before the boys are back with us.”
I risk opening my eyes and see Ruby glancing over her shoulder at the cart behind us. Bad idea. Eyes definitely need to stay closed.
“Ezra’s off limits. In case you’re feeling frisky. Feel free to fuck Rhys’s brains out. He could use a few good nuts. He’s wound tighter than a cat with a porcupine shoved up its ass.”
There’s so much of that sentence that makes no sense, so I grab hold of the thing that does. “Is Ezra your husband?”
The cart jerks and we bump over uneven ground, branches scratching over my door. I yelp, afraid we’re about to careen off the path. Did I survive Fairy only to die an undignified death in the little moving machine?
“No. Just no. Why would you say that? What would make you think that?” Ruby’s voice is so high-pitched I can’t stop the cringe.
“Just, ah, since you said he’s off limits. And the way he was touching you back there.” I can’t see Ruby’s face, but I hear a small huff of breath.
“He’s a shithead. That’s all. I’m just looking out for you.”
There’s an impulse to joke with her and poke at this obviously sensitive topic, but I hold back. Even though the instinct is there, and our conversation feels more natural than any I’ve ever had, I’ve only just met Ruby. It would be a bad idea to tease her as though we’re old friends.
“Here we are.”
The death cart slows to a stop, and I uncurl my fingers from my seat. Opening my eyes, I see we’re in front of a small white house with two front doors. It’s outside of the island’s main street, and the houses aren’t stacked together here like they are there.
