Page 373 of Once Upon a Fable

He was choosing me over death.

Choosing hope over loss.

Choosing happiness over misery.

So I did the only thing I could. I kissed him good night. I watched him head toward the staff stairs to the dorm, then snuggled into my makeshift bedroom in the conservatory and fell asleep.

How many hours had passed since then?

Was Kas still asleep or—

The noise came again.

The same noise that’d woken me. Heavy and violent. A bang or a thud.

Fear flew down my legs.

Kas.

Ripping off my blankets, I shot to my feet and headed into the foyer. The sun shone through the windows and skylights, but the air was cool, feeling more autumn than summer. My hoodie offered some protection, but I still hugged myself as I padded over cold marble, my ears pricking for another sound.

It came again, louder this time, closer.

I broke into a run.

What if Jareth was doing something he shouldn’t? What if Kas was in trouble?

Darting down the corridor toward the kitchen, I slammed to a stop as I found the back door wide open.

Kas never left it open.

Stepping outside, I peered into the bright sunshine.

There.

A figure in the distance, running as if coyotes were hunting him.

Kas.

Where the hell is he going this time?

Panic flared. Watching him vanish into the woods reminded me too much of last night. Of him running from me just as we were about to have sex. The way he’d retched and acted like a man at the end of his limit. A man with no other option.

Surely, after what he’d said before we went to bed, he wouldn’t do anything stupid. He had me now. He’dacceptedhe had me. He wouldn’t hurt himself or look for a permanent way out.

Would he?

“Kas!” My body chose the only option; I ran.

I flew out of the kitchen and gave chase.

My sore feet from running barefoot last night bellowed in discomfort as twigs and debris poked me. But it didn’t stop me. I didn’t slow. Worry drove me. Worry and fear and the need to help the man I loved.

I kept running as Kas vanished into the thicker trees, doing my best to follow and not lose him. Shadows fell over me from leaf-falling branches. The chill in the air wrapped around me as I charged into the forest after him.

My skin prickled as he slowed up ahead.

I knew this place.