Page 108 of A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic 2)
Both of our loves have been taken by Boltov.
“We should keep moving,” I say, pushing myself up. As I step out of the protection of the tree and Giles’s warmth, a breeze whips through me and I fight a shiver.
“Are you warm enough?” He must have seen it. “Is it the withering?”
“I’m fine,” I insist again. “We don’t have time to waste.” I put the pendant around my neck, tucking it under the tunic. “The faster we get to Dreamsong, the faster we save Shaye and Davien.”
* * *
The rideto Dreamsong is a cold, silent, and tense affair. The stallion is too tired to support both of our weights, so I still ride alone. Giles insisted I be astride, that way I can flee faster if need be.
I can feel my face crumple the moment the demarcation line of the territory of the Acolytes of the Wild Wood comes into view. We’re so close to safety. It’s now late in the afternoon and I know that if we’re forced to take a rest, the safe house isn’t far.
“Are we going to press on through the night?” I ask.
“I can carry on.” Giles eyes the mount. “What do you think about him?”
“We’ve kept things easy; I think he can manage. And if he begins to struggle I’ll dismount and walk too.”
“All right, then—” Giles stills as we cross over the bare strip of earth that marks the Acolyte’s territory.
I feel it too. Or rather, I don’t feel anything. There is no tingle of the barrier that surrounded the territory before. The earth is the same here as it was on the other side of the line.
“Something is wrong.” He gives sound to my thoughts. Giles looks to me. “Change of plans. We’ll go to the safe house and you’ll stay there. I’ll go on ahead and scout Dreamsong and then come back.”
“No.” I shoot the idea down quickly. “Our plan remains the same. We’re just more cautious.”
“But—”
“I’m not sitting somewhere alone, defenseless. Moreover, if you leave and something does happen to me—if Boltov gets this necklace—then no one will know until it’s too late. Our best course of action is to stay together.”
He purses his lips, clearly debating this, but ultimately relents. “Fine. But if we do encounter a struggle, you flee with the necklace. Head for Dreamsong, and keep your eyes open. No matter what happens, Boltov can’t get that power.”
“Understood.” I didn’t come this far and sacrifice so much to hand over the magic now.
We press on in silence for the rest of the day. Neither of us are in the mood for small talk. Shortly after the sun has gone down, we pause at a stream and give the horse a chance to drink.
“Are you still strong enough to continue?” Giles asks. Hearing his voice after hours of silence seems shockingly loud.
“I am, but I’m not the one who’s been walking this whole time. How are you?”
“I’m tougher than I look.”
“You look pretty tough.” I give him a weary smile; one he weakly returns.
“Let’s keep going, then.”
The stars are out and the moon is high when we smell smoke. We exchange a wary look and a frown, but we don’t alter course. However, when an orange haze appears through the trees, Giles holds out his arm.
“This isn’t good,” he whispers. “You should stay here.”
“No, we go on together.”
“I’m trying to protect you.” The edge of weary frustration is present in his voice. It’s well intended, even if it’s misplaced.
“I know,” I say as calmly as possible. “But I’ve come this far. I’m not going to back away now. No matter what happens. I’m seeing this through to the end.”
Giles regards me thoughtfully and then resigns with a sigh. “Very well. But if anyone asks, I thought you should stay back.”
“Your objection is noted.”
“Stay close and follow me, then, we don’t want to go on the main road.” He begins leading us to the side, away from the well-worn trail we’ve been traveling on for the past hour.
It’s the feeling of sneaking that fills me with dread. It underscores that this place I once thought of as truly safe is no longer. I touch the necklace at my throat, thinking of Davien. I have to be strong for him. I can’t be afraid. I am still the keeper of the magic of the old kings. And until I can give it back to the person who can really use it to save these lands, I have to do what I can to help save the fae from Boltov.
The sound of fire crackling in the distance grows louder. I dismount, leaving the stallion tied loosely around a low-hanging branch, and we continue on foot, both agreeing that it will be less noticeable this way. We stay low and hunched in the brush as we approach the upper rim of Dreamsong.
Smoke is thick in my lungs and the orange glow is even brighter now; it’s almost like the dawn is breaking through the trees. I pull up my tunic over my nose and mouth but it does little good. My eyes are watering and lungs burning, but I don’t stop. I have to see what’s on the other side of those trees. I have to see Dreamsong even though something tells me that this pursuit is one I will regret. That what I’m about to witness can never be unseen.
As we break through the brush and stand above the smoldering remains of the brilliant city I danced in the streets of not more than three days ago, I’m proved right.
