by E. L. Todd
Black daisies with red centers, the stems were covered with black thorns. There was a sign next to the pots. The Black Curse. She continued to move then halted when she found it. Inside the black cage, there was the purple potion.
But now there were two.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared.
What’s happening?
I found it.
Then why don’t you sound happy?
Because there are two…
Two potions?
Yes.
Why does that make you pause?
How did she get another one?
Could have bought it from another seller. Just grab it and go.
She reached for the cage and grabbed it by the bars. There was a big lock in the front, so she’d have to figure out how to open it later. Her arms lifted it up, but there was no movement. Shit.
What is it, Pretty?
It weighs as much as a mountain. I can’t pick it up.
Break the lock.
It’s not a normal lock—
Figure it out, Cora. His voice boomed, growing angry, inconsolable. Otherwise, he dies.
I’m doing the best I can—
If your best doesn’t save Rush, it’s not good enough.
“You may think you’re quieter than a mouse, but I know the stench of a rat.”
Cora tensed, hearing the deep sound of a woman’s voice. She recognized it as the same voice that had screamed at her last time, yelling “Thief” into the night.
The sound of her tapping fingers was audible on the counter. “Sweetheart, you have no idea who you’re dealing with here.”
Her hood was up so Cora couldn’t see her, her face turned away.
“Field mice scour for their own food. Rats use the sewers to steal cheese from homes. Now, which one are you? Because right now, it looks like you were about to take that without paying for it.”
What’s happening?
Cora ignored him.
Cora?
I need a minute.
“Abandon your cowardice and show your face.”
“I just need one potion. I intend to pay for it.”
“People from all walks of life hide their faces for many reasons. But they never hide their faces in my shop—because there’s no need. So, the only reason you’re concealing yourself is because I’m the person you need to hide from.”
Privacy was a luxury she couldn’t afford right now, so she pulled her hood down and looked at the witch behind the counter.
Her eyes immediately narrowed, taking in Cora’s features like her appearance was striking.
“I just need one potion.”
The witch continued her stare, her eyes absorbing Cora’s appearance with profound intensity.
Cora was intimidated at first, but the constant staring became obnoxious. “Uh, hello?”
She instantly snapped out of it and withdrew a key from her purple coat. Her blond hair was in tight ringlets, crow’s feet in the corners of her eyes, but her eyes were so youthful they seemed to belong to a young woman in her prime. She walked to the cage and unlocked it, watching Cora instead of her movements. She grabbed the potion, locked the cage back up again, and then carried it to the counter. “Alright. Pay up.” She moved behind the counter, her hands flattening on the surface, one hip popped out with attitude.
Cora stared at her, knowing this was some kind of trap.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Give me a damn second!
Now the witch copped an attitude. “Uh, hello?”
“How much?” Cora reached her hand into her empty pocket.
“Ten thousand gold.”
“Holy…” She’d never seen that much in her life.
“I know you don’t have a ten thousand coin bouncing in your pockets—not when you sneak around so quietly. And I also know you’re the same thief who was here a few months ago.” Her eyes turned into daggers, stabbing at Cora’s face. “So, how are you going to play this?”
Her heart slammed in her chest, and her palms immediately started to sweat. This was an opponent she couldn’t predict or defeat, but there was too much on the line to abandon the attempt. “Look…I really need it.”
“Yeah?” she asked. “You must live an interesting life if you need dragons’ tears not once—but twice.”
“Please, can we work something out?”
“Nope.” She shook her head and pursed her lips. “It’s ten thousand. Your move.”
“Can I pay you later—”
“Do I look like a treasury? We don’t give loans here.”
“Then a favor.”
“What can you offer?”
HURRY! NOW!
Cora didn’t hesitate as she unsheathed her sword and presented it. Red like flames and shiny as glass, she held it in both of her palms and set it on the counter in front of her. “This.” She lowered her hands to her sides and waited.
The witch lowered her gaze and stared, her eyes combing over the beautiful sword. Her voice changed, mesmerized. “Where did you get this?”
“Where did you get the dragon tears?”
She lifted her chin slowly, eyes affronted at the question.
“Are we doing this or not? I’m in a hurry.”
Her green eyes assessed Cora with unparalleled intelligence. She didn’t look anything like a witch, didn’t have a pointy hat or odd jewelry. She looked like a regular person who could be spotted in any village. But she definitely had unique qualities, all dancing in her eyes. “Keep your sword.”
Cora couldn’t suppress the sigh that escaped her lips, the heartbreak crippling her. “Please—”
“And take the potion.” She pushed it farther across the counter, offering it to her freely.
Stunned in place, all Cora could do was breathe.
“Hurry. Someone needs your help.” With guarded eyes, she watched Cora, fascinated but also withdrawn.
“I don’t understand…”
Her lips pressed tightly together in a partial smile, her eyes lightening just a bit. “Someday, you will.”
Cora grabbed the potion and put it in her pack. “What does that mean—”
WE DON’T HAVE ANY TIME LEFT.
Her curiosity was abandoned by the urgency—so she sprinted out the door and forgot about the witch altogether.
I’m almost there.
Faster.
I’m sprinting as fast as I can.
SPRINT FASTER.
Cora ignored the pain throughout her entire body and pushed herself to the limit, her mouth parched because she had no water, her head pounding with a headache, her pack shifting back and forth across her back as she ran.
If she hadn’t been training with Callon these last few months, she wouldn’t have had the endurance to do this.
“I’m here!” She sprinted across the meadow, finding Rush exactly where she’d left him. “What do I do?”
Sit him up and make him drink it.
She placed the potion beside her and forced him up against the tree.
His eyes were closed, his pale skin turning blue.
“Come on, stay with me.” She forced his mouth open and poured it inside.
Don’t spill a drop.
She went slowly, making sure he didn’t start choking and spit it out.
Once every drop was inside his throat, she set the glass container down. “Now what?”
We wait. I can’t fly right now, so you’ll have to carry him.
“No one is following me.”
You’re certain of this?
“Yes.”
Flare cared more about Rush than anything else, so the details of her journey were irrelevant.
“You think he’s going to be okay?”
I hope so—because I can’t live without him.
Two days passed, and he didn’t wake.
They stayed by the tree the entire time, taking advantage of the shade that was cast all hours of the day.
Cora fetched water and food in pre
paration for when he woke up. “What’s going on?”
He’s getting better.
The stitch in her chest disappeared. “That’s… I’m so relieved.”
He was literally at death’s doorstep. I heard the knock.
She lay beside Rush and waited, her sword on the grass beside her, ready to lash out at anyone who made the mistake of approaching their campsite. The sun faded from the trees and turned into a beautiful sunset.
He’s coming.
Cora sat up and looked down at him, watching his chest rise and fall deeper and harder. His hands moved slightly, and then he tilted his head. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the canopy of leaves above him, his stare blank, not having a clue what he was looking at. He inhaled a deep breath then immediately gave a wince.
Tears flooded her eyes at the sight of him.
He breathed for a few seconds before his eyes took in his surroundings. He slowly pushed himself up then turned his gaze on her.
Seconds passed.
He blinked as he stared, his hand reaching up and rubbing his temple, the whiteness of his face hiding his usual tan. He slowly lowered his hand and looked at her, his blue eyes absorbing her with incredulity.
Tears fell down her cheeks, seeing the toll the abuse had taken on someone so strong.
He raised his hand again and slowly reached for her, his hand landing on her arm, pushing against it to make sure it was real. His fingers dug into her flesh, squeezing her gently. He watched his movements, still incredulous. “I…I don’t understand.” With a voice rough like sandpaper, he was rasping, having to clear his throat a couple times. “Where am I?”
“We’re near Polox.”
He turned to look at his surroundings, to watch the sun set over the horizon. He took it in silently, absorbing the beauty of daylight, letting the memories of torture leave his lungs with every breath. “You saved me…” He turned back to her, his eyes focused, with a softness he’d never shown before.
“Just like you would save me.”
His gaze dropped for a moment, overcome, and then he raised his chin once more to look at her. His arm circled her shoulders, and he brought her into his chest, his cheek resting against her forehead. The effort required for just a few deep breaths was laborous for his broken body, and he closed his eyes.
Her arms surrounded him, and she hugged him back, her eyes closed, the sun disappearing over the horizon, the warmth fading too. She inhaled a deep breath as the tears left her eyes, streaked down her cheeks, and landed on his shirt.
A thin film surrounded them both, translucent and weightless but with the toughness of the trunk of a tree. It quieted their surroundings, a web of peace, a warm embrace from someone who loved them both.
Twenty-Eight
General Asshole
Rush spent most of his time sleeping.
He woke only to sustain himself, but then his mind pulled him back under, and Flare surrounded him with his invisible wings to provide a safe cocoon for his mind to rest. His soul remained on the side of the living, but his body was still broken and healing.
His eyes opened when the smell entered his nose, a mixture of nuts, rice, and other vegetables. He looked through his squinting gaze, seeing Cora sitting near the fire, pushing around the contents inside a pan.
He groaned as he sat up, the headache between his temples fading slightly every time he stirred. His body had been in such profound pain that conversations were impossible because even talking was too much. But it was getting easier now, his lungs able to expand fully as if the knives that dug deep had never been there.
Cora eyed him from the fire and then lifted the pan from the flames. She served the food into two bowls made of leaves, just as she had every other time she’d cooked for him. “Hungry?”
He leaned against the tree trunk and gave a nod.
She grabbed wooden forks and carried everything over.
The canteen at his side was filled, so he grabbed it and drank it all, his parched throat now coated with moisture.
“How are you feeling?”
He grabbed the bowl and brought it close to his face, seeing a combination of green leaves, potatoes, and other vegetables that didn’t look appetizing at all. “Not to sound ungrateful, but I need some meat.”
She grinned. “That answers my question.” She scooped her fork into her bowl and took a bite, her light brown hair blowing in the gentle breeze. It was late afternoon, the sun steadily approaching the horizon to plunge them into darkness. “You haven’t said more than two words to me, and once you can, all you care about is food.”
I want some meat too.
“No bears around?”
Her smile faded, and she looked at her food once more.
He dug his fork into his bowl and took a bite, but it was unsatisfying like his other meals.
“I…I don’t hunt anymore.” She pushed her food around and took another bite, her eyes down.
She’s adopted their practices.
Guess she assimilated after all…
I would transform and hunt, but I know you need to rest.
I can handle it. I know you’re hungry.
I can handle the hunger. Eat your rabbit food.
He gave a quiet chuckle before he scooped the food into his mouth.
“What did he say?”
Rush chewed his bite as he stared at her, as he examined the brilliant green eyes that had been in his mind’s eyes since they parted. They were in his dreams, as well as his thoughts and memories. “He doesn’t care for the rabbit food.”
“Yeah, I thought he might not.” She dropped her gaze again, pushing her food around. “I’m sorry… I just can’t.”
“It’s fine.” He ate as he watched her, noted the elegant posture she’d adopted. Her back was straight and her movements slight, as if every time she used her energy, she used it wisely. “In a couple days, we should be able to hunt.”
Her eyes down and on her food, she ate like Rush wasn’t there at all.
Their journey began to come back to him in bigger pieces now. Flashbacks of sword fights, of crumbling stone falling from the ceiling, of the mighty roar of a dragon that wasn’t his own.
Then he remembered his face.
General Callon.
The last time their eyes had connected was the day Rush had slain his king—his brother. Surprised he didn’t leave me there to die.
I thought the same.
“Where is he?”
She turned to look at him, meeting his eyes with her guard up. “He left about a week ago. Returned to Eden Star.”
He gave a slight nod, seeing the difference in her eyes, the usual affection she had replaced by something else. “I’m surprised he helped you. Elves haven’t left their capital in thousands of years.”
Her eyes quickly flicked away. “We’re close…”
Very close. I saw their interaction before he left. They shared heated words—and then a long embrace.
Rush felt the pain, a pain more unbearable than the torture he’d just gone through.
I asked her about it while you were asleep, but she wouldn’t share. I asked her why she blocked us for so long. Wouldn’t share that either.
Asshole stole my girl.
So now she’s your girl?
Shut up. She’s always been my girl.
Steal her back.
I can’t compete with the general of Eden Star.
You can if you’re the king of Anastille.
What I said to Ashe was the truth—I have no interest in the throne.
She wouldn’t have rescued us if she didn’t feel the same way. Remember that.
And General Callon wouldn’t have joined her if he didn’t love her.
Doesn’t mean she loves him.
He forced the rest of his food down his throat before he set the bowl aside. “Made any friends yet?”
She looked up from her food. “No. I’ve spent all my time training and practicing.”
Rush tried to cover up his annoyance at the image of the two of them together all the time. Elves despised humans, so she wasn’t supposed to fall for one, even if she was just half. “The fact that General Asshole left his forest says you’ve made a dent in their ideologies.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “What did you just say—”
“Sorry, General Callon. Was thinking about something else…”
Smooth…
Her suspicion slowly faded, assuming it really was a mistake. “No. His feelings haven’t changed about that. I don’t think they ever will. And if I can’t get him on board, I don’t think I stand a chance with everyone else.”
“How did you get to Rock Island so quickly?”
“Long story…” A smile emerged. “I got a ride.”
“From…?”
“A Shaman’s steed.”
Both of his eyebrows skyrocketed.
Couldn’t believe it either.
“How did you manage that?”
“I shot the Shaman down and then reached out my mind… It’s hard to explain. It’s basically what I do with Flare, but without words. I gave him some flowers that he liked, and then I just…communicated…that I needed help. He carried the both of us.”
Rush stared at the woman who’d been nothing but extraordinary since the moment they met. “And didn’t the Shamans come after you?”
Wait until you hear this part.
I’m trying to hear it, but you keep talking.
So glad you’re feeling better…
“Yes,” she said. “Two of them. Couldn’t get a shot, so I did the same thing…reached out my mind. That got rid of them both.”
“It killed them?”
“No. Just pushed them away.”
How do you explain that?
I have no idea.
Is it the Skull Crusher?
Sounds similar, but I’m not sure.
Cora watched Rush, waiting for his internal conversation to conclude so a response would happen. “What are you thinking?”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Honestly, we don’t know what to think about it. Flare and I can communicate because we’re fused into a single person, but you can speak to him like you’re fused as well. Flare can’t do that with other humans and animals—but he can communicate with you.”
