Page 120 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
“That explains it,” Ox said. “This wanker obviously doesn’t feel the need to woo you, as you’re promised to him already. There’s no risk of losing you.”
“Or, he doesn’t truly want the betrothal,” Sedge supplied. “From the look on your face, lady, I reckon you don’t want it either.”
I tossed up a hand. “Yeah, well, does it even matter now? Can’t hardly get married as a prisoner in the Shadow Palace!”
At that, I hopped up from my seat and snatched the wine bottle from Olea. The tangy sweetness of blueberries poured down my throat as I clomped back to my seat. I coughed at the spicy aftertaste and plopped down. Everyone watched me for an uneasy space while I hunched there, brooding.
I assumed I’d destroyed the good vibes from dinner until a bear paw swiped the wine from me. “You call that a bad sex story?” Pete downed a hearty swig. “Why, that’s hardly the worst in this bunch. I know Ox here has accidentally fucked a Greenie. More than once. And appearance-wise, they’re truly just one step above toads.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Ox’s green face flashed orange. “You ken their kind shape shift! The conniving goon started out a nymph! Bobbling tits and all! Next thing I know, it had bulging eyes and webbed feet! And I was scuttered off my arse both times!”
Sedge chortled. “Off the Greenie’s arse too, it seems.”
I just about fell off my log, my pathetic deflowering all but forgotten.
Thefriendlygatheringwasstill thriving when the exhaustion of weeks caught up to me. Concentrating on not falling asleep, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and heard a deep voice murmur, “Olea, will you please show her to bed?”
I rose when prodded and followed Olea to another of the wagons, this one less decorated but still homey. While Olea unlocked the rear entrance of the wagon, the only one whose doors weren’t already spread wide in welcome, I leaned back against its deep purple body and gazed up at the sky.
My eyes rounded to saucers as I caught rainbows rippling in the stars. “Oh, wow!” I stepped further into the night. I’d seen pictures of the northern lights on the internet, but none of those images did the actual show justice. “That’s gorgeous!”
Olea joined me a moment later, smiling up at the spectacle as if it were a distant dream of hers. “More than gorgeous, I’d say. The aurora majesta is a portent of hope for those like us.”
I glanced down at her, curious.
“There’s a prophecy, aye? About the birth of a new triple goddess. The Aurora is what the prophet named her. She’s meant to be a savior, to break the shackles of those enslaved, to ease the toiling of those living in squalor and poverty, and to bring justice to those suffering oppression.”
My throat dried out. “She’s supposed to do all that, huh?”
“And more.”
If I was truly the Aurora, as Briar had suspected, then I’d be a mighty big disappointment to those who expected miracles.
“Are the lights supposed to signal that this goddess has been born?”
“Possibly.” Olea shrugged. “Or maybe it signals that she’s come of age, that she’s started down fate’s path.”
I grimaced, my path leading me straight to doom.
Olea took my hand. “Come. Let’s settle you for the night. If I don’t return soon, I won’t get any more wine. Pete and Ox will surely drink the rest.”
I followed her to a night of restful sleep among the faint scents of orange blossoms and oak moss.
Twenty-One
Thedreamchangesagain.This time, I instantly recognize the ominous shadow man as Pete. A strange but welcome tension accompanies his presence. My heart races as he and his shadows plume toward me, but not with my usual terror. Instead, I’m excited. I’m relieved. I’m—safe?
I don’t even struggle against capture, though I demand my immediate release. Of course, Pete ignores me, cloaking me in ebony velvet. His gruff hands take me, draw me close.
There’s no need to fear his dark.
The mocking eyes from my last dream soften, warm like fresh ginger snaps. His rough fingers graze my neck, shivers erupting on my skin.
I meet his gaze, breathless for a long, tender moment.
“Run!” my own voice shrieks in the background. “Justrun!”
