Page 21 of Broken Hearted
A frozen pathway grew out before us just as snow began to fall from the sky, and I lightly kicked the mare to get her going. She was hesitant at first, but then started to walk.
Her hoofs clacked against the ice I’d created, but it held, and I heard Zane give a sigh of relief behind me.
I had to concentrate then, using my power to freeze the walkway before us as we moved toward the mountain ahead. The blackened waters were rising higher and higher. Many of the trees were now almost completely submerged, and our journey became all the more challenging as the sun set, and we were left with only moonlight to lead the way. Our horse was navigating the ice path trail so far, and for that I was thankful.
“Once we reach the mountain, we can make camp and then hike to see the Wise Ones in the morning,” Zane told me.
I nodded, grateful for the prospect of some rest. It wasn’t much longer before we reached the base of the mountain, and then I shepherded the mare onto the steep path leading upwards. It was slow going and steep, but we eventually reached a bitof a plateau with a cave well above the water that felt safe to camp in.
Zane slipped off the horse first and then helped me down. My legs were stiff and my fingers ached from holding the reins tightly.
Zane shivered. “I’m going to build a fire,” he said.
I nodded. I wasn’t that cold, but I felt bad that he was.
After the fire was lit, he fed the horse, and then we sat next to each other and shared a loaf of herb bread, some meat and dried fruits. “What do you think the Wise Ones will say?” I asked Zane, beginning to feel nervous.
He considered the question, the firelight casting shadows across his face. “Probably something to do with the Shadow Heart.” He pointed to my satchel.
I nodded. “Probably. But what if they tell me I have to kill you?” I kept my face straight.
He froze, a hand holding some dried fruit halfway to his mouth.
“Would you?” he asked seriously, and I could no longer keep up the ruse. I burst into laughter, and Zane heaved a sigh of relief. “Well, thanks, Isolde. Now I won’t be sleeping tonight.”
My laughter only grew at that. “I’m not killing anyone,” I told him. “I had my chance with Adrien and didn’t take it. I won’t hurt you either. I’m not a monster.”
He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t fully agree with that assessment. I reached out and smacked his arm, and he grinned, but then the smile faltered. “You know I’ve been wondering … why did you arrive in front of my brother and not me? When you go through your portal, is it random, or …?”
I stiffened. “It’s random,” I said quickly. Of course it was. Ithad to be. I hadn’t meant to plop myself in front of the tanned, shirtless Ethereum lord. It just happened.
Zane nodded, but stayed quiet and fatigue weighed down my limbs. I yawned and pulled out my bedroll from my pack. “I think I’m going to try to get some sleep,” I told him and pointed to the cave.
He nodded. “All right. Good night, Isolde.”
“Good night, Zane,” I told him, and stepped into the mouth of the cave.
It was shallow, and we’d already checked it for animals so I laid out my bedroll and slid inside. With the train ride yesterday and seeing Dawn and her poor people forced to flee to safety in the south, it was an emotionally taxing journey.
I wondered what Queen Liliana and my mother thought now that I hadn’t come back and if the curse was no doubt wreaking havoc on my land back home.
But just as my eyelids closed, I wondered something else. I wondered what Adrien was doing right now and if he really wanted to marry that hag, Elisana. Something wasn’t right there, but I couldn’t put my finger on what.
Chapter Seven
Iawoke to Zane shaking my shoulders. My eyelids snapped open, and I gasped.
Black water lapped at our feet.
I shot out of my bedroll so fast I got dizzy as I threw my hands out and pushed the water back out of the cave, freezing it as I did so that it created a wall.
The mare, who I’d learned was named Orchid, was still with us, thank the stars, but was whinnying nervously.
“That was close.” Zane brushed a hand through his hair.
“We should hurry, or by the time I see these Wise Ones we won’t be able to get back,” I said. It had to be early in the morning because the sky was only starting to lighten, but we didn’t have any time to waste.
Zane nodded, grabbing his now soaking pack, and called the mare over with a click of his tongue.
