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When dawn broke across the sky, dread shivered across me. Not just from what was to come, but because with the night gone, all my dreams dissipated like the stars.
“What are the Whispering Woods?”
I studied the map as Autumn said a long goodbye to Esme. It was interesting seeing Autumn make a friend. She seemed so closed off sometimes, but she fit in here like a missing puzzle piece.
Argen’s face went pale, and I felt we were not talking about the sweet whispers of a mother to her child or whispering winds.
“Legend says the trees whisper your worst fears, doubts, and uncertainties. Some ‘ave have gone mad within the wood, and others come back… scathed.”
Autumn tuned in to our words, and I wondered ifscathedwasn’t the word he had planned to use until her attention.
“Don’t linger in the wood. Get in and get the fuck out as fast as possible. Run if ye must. Hold on to each other and do nay wander from the path.”
“Why are all the woods in the North fucking terrifying?” Autumn grumbled, shaking her head. “Neverwood is a fairytale forest filled with cute little bunny rabbits and gentle—”
“We get it, Snow. Sweet little forest, not so sweet forest. We’ll manage.”
Her brows drew together at my snapped retort. I wasn’t trying to be an ass, but knowing I had to explain the situation to Autumn shot my nerves. I wanted to stay stuck in this contentment with her. She was so at peace and relaxed here and had made a friend.
I wanted to remain here, to give her this, but we didn’t have time to spare, and it pissed me off.
“Let’s get a move on then,” Argen said.
We hefted our packs and followed him.
“Is everything alright, Sahlyn?” Autumn asked after several hours of silence.
I nodded, but I feared she might think that last night at the fire sent me in a mood, and I didn’t want her to think that.
I glanced at Argen, who marched on ahead of us. Autumn had fallen back to speak with me.
“Autumn, your role in this… I don’t think you comprehend it.” I raked a hand through my hair. “Fuck.”
Her eyes turned wary but curious as they met mine unflinchingly. “Then explain it to me, Sahlyn.”
My heart stuttered, and I sucked in a breath. “Bereille made it seem like...” I stopped and hollered at the dwarf. “Argen, we need a break. You… Scout up ahead, if you will.”
Argen swiveled back to us with confusion clouding his features, but one look made him nod and be on his way. He must have read what I was going to do. He and I had spoken last night about telling her the truth. He had insisted that if I didn’t,hewould.
“Bereille’s words were candid and in riddles, but he made it sound like because I saved you… I didn’t kill you when I was supposed to… I set off a chain of events that led us here.To this.”
She sat on a fallen log and fiddled with the ribbon on her braid, and my stomach knotted.
“You… are the one to wield this sword. The one I damned into this destiny.” Groaning, I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. “I don’t even know, honestly. I didn’t have the time to make sure I understood. He told me I was to protect you at all costs and that you could wield the blade. Of course, I’m assuming with it; you can kill the queen.”
“Me? Why canIwield this sword?”
“I’m not sure.” I glanced at where I could see Argen’s back.
Heknew something.
In the prophecy his father had spoken of, Argen had looked at Autumn purposefully,thoughtfully, and the King and his son hid things I hadn’t understood. There was more to this, more to Autumn than I knew.
“I’msupposed to kill the queen?”
“I think so.”
She blew out a shaky breath, and her eyes grew distant. Far away. Then they took on tranquility so devastating it wrenched my heart and made me just a little frightened of her.
