Page 34 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

He gestured to the river.I turned and gasped.The once-clear stream now swirled with tendrils of inky black, like smoky serpents writhing beneath the surface.A sickly-sweet scent hung in the air.

"What happened to it?"I whispered, staring at the unnatural darkness."Could this be connected to the magic in the water?”My mind flashed back to his snapped warning last night as I’d tried to refill our canteens at the river’s edge.

"I don't know, but we need to be on our guard.Step away from the water, princess."

A bone-chilling screech tore through the woods, making every hair on my body stand on end.The birds and forest creatures fell silent as those dark tendrils began taking shape.

A thunderous noise erupted, and a behemoth creature emerged from the depths.A kelpie, its body a monstrous mix of horse and fish, scales gleaming with an eerie glow.Its eyes were deep pools of darkness as it reared up onto its hind legs, standing atop the water's surface.

"Rosemary, run!"Elias shouted, his blade already flashing.

I stumbled into the forest but couldn't bring myself to go further.Something about the creature transfixed me, not just fear, but a strange recognition.The air thrummed with ancient energy that set my teeth on edge and made my blood sing.

Elias danced around the creature, his sword a blur of silver, but every blow seemed ineffective against its armored hide.

"What is that thing?"I demanded as a lengthened claw nearly tore through his middle.

"A kelpie.One of the queen's creations.Stay away from the water!"

The mention of the queen sent ice through my veins.Of course this creature would be connected to her.

Despite the danger, I found myself studying the beast.Its sharpened teeth curved in perfect arcs, its powerful hooves, its fish-like tail hovering above the water.There was a terrible beauty I couldn't deny.

Elias lifted his sword for a killing blow, and my heart twisted."No!"I cried, rushing forward."Spare him, please!"

In an instant, I was between his blade and the kelpie.The creature's waterlogged cackle echoed as something clamped onto my corset, yanking me beneath the surface.The river was darker and deeper than I'd realized.Panic seized my chest as my lungs burned for air.

Through the haze of bubbles and shadow, Elias dove through the depths, his powerful body cutting through the water.His hand closed around mine as his dagger slashed at the kelpie's muzzle, forcing it to release me.

We broke through the surface, gasping.Elias dragged me to shore as the kelpie snapped at our heels.We scrambled onto the rocky bank and dashed into the forest, collapsing in a mossy meadow.

"Don't kill it," I gasped hoarsely, even though it had nearly killed me.

"It tried to kill you.I cannot let it live," he replied through clenched teeth.

"Let it go, for me, please," I begged.

His eyes found mine, storm-gray depths filled with something I couldn't name."Princess, you have no idea the things I would do for you.The lengths I would go to keep you safe.But don't ask this of me.It tried to kill you.I cannot forgive that."

I pulled him to me."Please," I whispered, bringing his face close to mine.

My lips found his in a soft, searching kiss.His sword hit the moss as he knelt beside me, his hands clasping my cheeks as he kissed me back, letting the kelpie go.

Fractured Trust

ELIAS

As we ventured deeper into the forest, magic thickened the air around us.After the kelpie attack, Rosemary fell silent, and I regretted my hesitation.Hours passed as we trekked in quiet contemplation; the silence between us stretched like ivy between old stones—slow, creeping, and impossible to untangle without breaking something.I couldn’t stamp down that inner fear that I’d felt as I’d stood before that kelpie, and now that fear churned with fury at allowing that threat to exist in the same realm asher.

The creature was a creation of the unseelie queen's, it could reveal our location if left alive.But Rosemary's kiss had melted my resolve.

She shows mercy to the very creatures sent to destroy her, I thought, watching her troubled expression.How can I deceive someone so pure-hearted?

"What's wrong with you?"she demanded, stepping carefully through the woods."You've been sulking since we left the kelpie."

I couldn't give her an answer that wouldn't reveal too much.She was right, I did want that creature dead.It had hurt her, nearly killed her.But saying so would expose the depth of my feelings, and worse, hint at knowledge I shouldn't possess.

"Are you always this charming?"she asked, her voice teasing despite her obvious frustration.