Davien crosses the gap with Giles in his arms. Sure enough, he more leaps and glides than truly flies like Shaye. But my cheeks still warm slightly at the memory of being in his arms—at those first sensations of weightlessness as we drifted through the starry sky. During those brief seconds where things truly seemed like they were starting anew between us.
My landing is far more graceful during my second experience of flight than the first. We touch down onto the bank on the other side. As soon as my feet meet the damp earth a shiver runs through me. Shaye grips my shoulders.
“Give it a moment, it’ll pass.”
“What…” My teeth chatter so violently I can’t finish my question. Luckily Shaye seems to know what I’m going to ask.
“The Crystal River is one of the Acolyte’s demarcation lines. You’ve left the control of the Blood Court and we have heavily warded our lands against them. The magic is feeling you out…making sure you’re not foe.”
Sure enough, as she’s speaking, the feeling of hands rubbing all over my body subsides, leaving gooseflesh in their wake. I force another shiver, trying to shake the sensation.
“What would happen if I’m foe?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Shaye grins. Before I can press, she looks to Davien. “There’s an outpost not far from here. We can make camp—”
“We continue on to Dreamsong,” Davien says, brushing past us.
“Dreamsong is another half-day’s walk.” Shaye’s hands fall from my shoulders and she rushes to be at Davien’s side. “You have to stop. She has to stop.”
Davien looks back at me with the same agitation as before. “You can heal yourself, can’t you?”
“I don’t know…” I murmur. “I have healed myself… But I’m not sure how—”
“Good. Restore strength to your muscles with the king’s magic and carry on with the rest of us.”
“My lord, I think Shaye—” Oren tries to say.
“I have spoken!” Davien’s voice echoes between the trees, long before the pinched-up agitation in his shoulders does.
“Katria…” Oren starts softly.
“I’m all right.” My turn to interrupt him. “Don’t worry about me. I can keep going.”
Oren regards me skeptically but says nothing. I’m not going to give in. I won’t be the weak human they expect, ready to topple over at any second. I can keep going.
If only I could use the power on command, however… I stare at my swollen feet. I noticed a while back they’ve begun to leave little blood spots on the moss where I walk. It doesn’t matter how soft the ground is…my feet have become one large blister that is now ripping open.
I hear the fae talk around me, but I’m too focused on my aching feet to even pay attention to the words being said. Heal, I think, Heal! But the magic does nothing. I’ve never even thought magic was real until today, why do I think I can suddenly use it on command? Yesterday? I blink up at the dawn. What day is it, anymore?
I’ve been walking forever…
The world tilts as I begin to sway. Every step is shakier than the last. My knees threaten to lock or give out.
Right foot.
Left foot.
Shaye says something to me but it’s muffled. I blink several times. The trees are becoming hazy. There’s something wrong with my eyes and ears.
“Almost there,” I think she says.
Almost…not soon enough.
Right foot.
Left foot.
Dawn has broken. The forest is alive once more. But I enjoy none of it. I’m an automaton. I move to prove it to myself and to the man with the bright green eyes who looks back every now and then just to ensure that I’m still upright.
