27. Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Embla
I thought we found safety at the motel until we were attacked, and I was dragged from sleep. We managed to add someone to our group. Thea. She reminds me of mischief. Sneaking out, nights spent talking under the stars, and deeper conversations burning on tongues. The dark feminine in harmony with the goddess.
“Why did you crash through my window?” I ask, pulling my blanket tighter around my shoulders as I trudge alongside the feather winged beauty.
“I knew someone was going to need my help and I couldn’t let something bad happen by not showing up. Although I’m still not sure why I saw your room empty.” Thea says, shrugging as the others stop. I want to ask Thea more questions, but exhaustion threatens to claim me as Astrid, Effie, and Thea work to start a small fire and set out the bedrolls. None of us have the energy for tents tonight. I just want to go to sleep, if I’m awake I have to deal with the confusing spiral of my unexpected need to be close to Thea. I wring my hands hoping to find some control over the emotion raging inside of me. Fear dominates everything. I have been taught my entire life anyone with magic is evil and now there are demons to worry about. Why are they here? A constant panic seeps from my stomach deep into my bones, getting worse with every second that passes. My breath saws in and out as I pace. Thea is the one good thing to come from this. Her soft smile makes me feel things I haven't felt since Phoebe. More things to scare me, the memory of how things ended last time still haunts the darkest corners of my mind.
It doesn’t take long for Effie’s black fire to roar to life over the sticks that were collected. I know the other three think the woods are the safest option for us at this point, away from prying eyes. I can't help worrying about who or what will find us out here. Every single sound makes me jump, my skin crawling as I wait for the next attack– for soldiers bearing three gold roses to stream out of the woods and drag me back to a city I didn’t want to leave in the first place.
“They won’t be able to find you in Myrr.” Effie settles on her bedroll next to me. Her eyes soften as a tear escapes down my cheek and I can’t take my eyes off my hands.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be safe,” I admit quietly. It’s not something I want Astrid to overhear, I don’t want her to fret over me while telling me to be strong or keep saying she'll keep me safe. I don't want to be a burden. I lift my head and watch Thea wrestle with my sister, their giggles erupting through the opened space beneath. Astrid is always strong and brave no matter what. She isn’t scared of anything.
“In order to be brave, you have to be scared. Having courage is feeling this fear and doing it anyway because it's the right thing. Taking care of your people is the right thing.” Effie places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You can’t know what the future holds, so don't give up on yourself so easily.”
“But I can’t see myself being able to survive in this world.” I sniff softly, not trying to draw Astrid and Thea’s attention away from their roughhousing. Effie gently wipes away my tears, her touch is soft and gentle before taking my hands in hers.
“You’ve barely experienced this world. You can’t judge it off the bad alone. Give it a chance, and our world may surprise you.” She squeezes my hands, and I nod, taking a deep breath before releasing it.
“You’re right, I can’t let this fear consume me. I’m tired of being afraid all the time.” I release a breath. “How do you know Myrr is safe?”
“The fae forest city is protected all the way to the Obsidian Mountains. Hidden by the oldest fae magic rivaled only by the dragons. You can only travel there with magic. No one will be able to find it unless they are meant to.” Effie offers me a smile that I return this time. Magic isn’t all destruction. The thought warms me. There is magic that protects. Maybe I truly should give the outside world a chance.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice soft. I feel like I am standing naked in front of Effie as I thank someone I hated my entire life. I have been taught to hate fae, and I always thought they were taught the same thing, but Effie is being so kind. She saved us. I can give this world a shot because of her.
“My pleasure, honey.” Effie’s smile grows bigger and warmer as she pulls me into a hug, and I let her. “Now stay with your sister, I’m going to catch us something to eat. You should try to sleep; the sun will be up soon.” She offers me another warm smile before disappearing into the woods. Turning back toward the camp, Thea and Astrid calmed down. Thea retiring to her bedroll. Ash must have laid mine out when she did hers, always protecting. Laying down, the silence does nothing to help my clouded thoughts on what the future could look like. One I've never thought to consider until now.