Chapter Three
MERRICK - NOW
“My Gods,” I breathed, my mouth agape as her glossy eyes hesitantly lifted to mine. Just the fraction of desperation I felt as she recounted those memories…how could someone put a little girl through that?
How had she survived it? How had she turned out the way she had? So…stable?
She sniffed, then gave me a broken smile. “That is why I’m afraid,” she whispered.
I gnawed at my lip ring, shaking my head. “Come here,” I murmured, pulling her back into my chest. She melted into my embrace with ease, comfort washing over her as I held her close.
“It’s also why I am hesitant about drugs…”
My stomach dropped, remembering how I’d convinced her to try my dagga. Was it on the same level as a drug like thiloxal? No. But still. “Fuck…” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Era, I’m so sorry I pressured you—”
She laughed softly, nestling in closer. “You are nothing like my parents. Don’t be sorry.” Her fingers stroked my chest. “Besides, it did help me calm down that evening. For that, I am thankful.”
I savored the feeling of her in my arms, remembering how close our lips had come that night. How she’d made my heart race like no other had. And then, I thought of the two times I had kissed her…and how blissful it had felt.
My hand traced lazy circles along her back. “Your older sister…she reminds me of Torrin. Mature, protective nature.” I paused. “Whatever happened to her? To Mabel? What was the plan?”
“Vera married shortly after that—to the noble in Daranois, Lord Achard. The plan…” Era sighed, a deeply unpleasant emotion overcoming her. “That’s a story for a different day.”
Based on that awful squeezing of my heart, I knew not to press. Whatever it was, she wasn’t ready to go there. My cheeks heated as I dared to say my next words. “I hope you know that you’re always safe with me.”
Era’s heart raced beneath my fingertips. “I know,” she whispered. “I know.”
My eyes remained on the fire as Era’s breathing slowed, and soon enough, the crackles and pops dancing off the cavern walls lulled us both to sleep.
DAY TWO
Morning came, at least, I assumed it was daybreak. The embers in the fire were dwindling, our light and heat fading fast. Era was still asleep, curled up on my chest.
It was sinful, having this married woman sprawled over me, her face buried in the crook of my neck. But her union was one born out of convenience, of royal necessity, of safety…not of love.
It’s not like Silas didn’t care about her. He did, just as she was fond of him. But it was never the level of affection that a husband and wife should have. It certainly didn’t compare to Silas’s burning desire for Lena.
She deserved better. Deserved more.
I should tell her.
I was staring off, sifting through my guilt-ridden thoughts, when Era shifted in my hold.
I peeked downward, my gaze fixed on those gorgeous, coffee-colored eyes.
Era drowsily asked, “We’re…we’re still here, aren’t we?
” Just as she began rubbing her sleep away, the two of us jerked at a thunderous sound.
A wave of relief settled over me as the cave entrance began to open, allowing light from the outdoors to filter inside.
Era shot up. “M-Merrick! The entrance!”
I grinned, scrambling to my feet before holding out my hand to her. Era’s smile was radiant, was so hopeful that I wished to see that expression every day for the rest of my life.
I swallowed, surprised by the intensity of that feeling. I helped Era stand, and after equipping our weapons, we hurried to the cave’s mouth.
Only to be met with a thick blanket of fog.
Our hands laced together, and after a couple of steps outside, a small, wooden box at our feet caught our attention.
I started to bend down, and Era squeezed my hand. Tilting my head back to face her, she whispered, “Don’t let go of me.”
My lips crept upward. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Grasping the tiny container, I stood, rotating it as I studied the design etched into the dark wood. A simple handprint. The box made no sound as I lifted the lid, revealing a lone brass key resting on a maroon velvet cushion.
Era’s brows pinched as she reached inside, seizing the key and turning it in her grasp. “That’s odd.” She held it up to me, her eyes shifting to the design etched into the bow. “What is this symbol for?”
The same design as the one on the box, a handprint. I shrugged, and a shiver traveled from head to toe as the temperature made a drastic shift.
Era drew a sharp breath through her nose, crossing her arms to keep warm as the frigid wind blew around us. “Why is it so cold all of a sudden?”
Surprisingly, our clothes had dried overnight. But our attire had been designed for a summer in Tovagoth—my robe’s fabric was breathable, and Era’s armor was strong but light.
“Maybe we should go back inside, until the fog—” My words caught in my throat as we turned toward the cavern, revealing nothing but solid rock. “What the fuck?!” I exclaimed.
Era released my hand, rushing toward the formation. “What is going on…”
The wind continued to swirl around us, the temperature dropping by the minute. Era clenched the key in her fist, and as she twisted back to face me, her expression shifted to alarm. “Holy shit.”
I whirled, and all thoughts vanished at the image before me.
No fog.
No ocean.
Only miles upon miles of snow.
My breath clouded in front of me as my gaze shifted upward, millions of dainty flakes fluttering from the sky.
Snow dusted Era’s lashes as she, too, became captivated by the sight. But our admiration of the peculiar winter quickly vanished as the breeze whipped around us with increasing force.
I fought against the wind to lift the hood of my robe, attempting to protect the tips of my pointed ears from the freezing air. Erabella’s arms clutched her midsection, bracing herself against the storm. Her short hair danced wildly, her face scrunching from the unpleasantness of the stinging cold.
I frantically surveyed our surroundings. The ocean was gone—or at least it couldn’t be seen. In fact, as the blizzard intensified, it became increasingly difficult to see anything.
“Hold on to me!” I shouted, extending my elbow to Era.
She rushed over, interlocking her arm with mine. “W-Where are we g-going?!”
“We have to find shelter!”
We fought against the storm, our boots plopping through the inches—no, several feet of snow. Our interlocked arms trembled against one another, harsh whisps of air beating against our faces.
What the hell is happening?!
I kept checking on her, my stomach sinking as the redness spread across her skin with every second we remained outside. I wanted to offer her my robe, even though the thin shirt I wore underneath would provide me with no heat. But we couldn’t spare any extra time out here.
We needed shelter. Now.
“Merrick!” she called, pointing to the side. “Up ahead—there’s a cabin!”
My attention jolted to the right. Sure enough, a small wooden building stood alone, maybe a mile in the distance. A beacon of hope.
We moved as fast as we could, but the cold was stiffening our limbs. Ice crystals formed on Era’s lashes, her stare losing focus.
She wasn’t shivering anymore. Why wasn’t she shivering?
“I… sit. I-I need…” she slurred.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“We’re almost there!” I encouraged, pulling her with me as her body grew heavier. “Come on!”
My heart thundered with every step, every glance in Era’s direction. Her skin paled the longer we were stuck out here, her lips losing color.
Every person had the instinct to keep living, to survive at any cost. But my will to live was but a fraction compared to my desire to keep Era breathing. It was the driving force that kept me going, even though my body was screaming, ‘No more.’
“M-Merr—” She came to a halt.
My eyes were wild with terror as I whirled to face her. “We cannot stop, Era!”
Her eyes were slipping shut, her shoulders curving inward. “C-can’t…”
Each breath was like a stab to my chest. “Fuck! Era, we will b-both die if we s-stop,” I panted, my voice breaking on a sob. “I-I’ll die.”
The smallest flicker of life ignited in her irises as her lids fluttered opened at my words.
“It’s just ahead! W-we can make it!”
Ice crystals clung to her hair, her brows, around her nose and cheeks. She was dying. We both were.
But despite her body shutting down, she nodded, tightening her arm around mine as best as she could.
And then we moved.
One step.
The wind was unforgiving, my hood flying back, further exposing my face to the harsh conditions. The only blessing was that my silver hair was still tied back; otherwise, it would be blinding me.
Two steps.
My body, too, stopped shivering, and my mind grew hazy.
Three steps.
The cabin was just ahead.
Four steps.
Here.
I immediately grabbed the doorknob, and my heart sank when I realized the door was locked.
“FUCK!” I roared, using all my strength to tug at the door, wishing I could tear it from the hinges.
“L-look!” Era pointed out. “A handprint!”
My attention shifted to the small symbol etched into the metal above the keyhole. “T-the key,” I breathed.
Era’s limbs were stiff, but she managed to reach into her pocket, retrieve the brass key, and hand it to me. I trembled, my red hands shaking as I fit the key’s teeth into the lock. But my grip was off. I cursed colorfully as I dropped the key in the snow.
Era’s eyes were slowly shutting.
Snow clung to my skin as I reclaimed the key from the heap beneath us. I lifted it with trembling hands, attempting one more time to open the door.
We wouldn’t make it if I failed.
“Come on, c-come on,” I cried softly, jiggling the key back and forth. And then I heard a click. “There!”
I used my shoulder to shove the door open, and Era and I hurried in. I slammed the door shut behind us, and then swiftly examined the space.
Heat. We need heat.
Era slowly dropped to her knees, hitting the ground with a thud.
“Hey!” I panicked, bending down to shake her shoulders. “Stay with me, Era!” I removed my robe as quickly as I could. But as the snow melted, the fabric became damp, offering little warmth for her.
I tossed the robe to the side and lifted Era in my arms. I wouldn’t be able to start a fire for us, so the next best step was getting under some dry blankets.
Era’s eyes closed as I held her, the only sounds in this small home my frantic footsteps on the wooden floor and my desperate, heavy breathing.
When I located the bedroom, I carefully placed her on the floor. Her breathing was shallow, but she was still alive.
A fireplace stood against the left wall, although it did me no good. Even if I did remember how Era started a fire, my trembling body lacked the strength.
Damn me for not having fire magic!
I dropped my weapon and tore Era’s off her, then removed my shoes and all my clothes, save for my undergarments. I undressed her quickly yet gently, removing her boots and armor. When she was down to her bra and underwear, I placed her beneath the thick comforter.
And then I got into bed with her and pulled her close, our torsos pressed together. I wrapped my arms and legs around her and breathed into the crook of her neck, hoping, praying, that the heat between us would be enough to keep her alive.
“Stay with me, Princess,” I whispered. “I can’t lose you. Please…”
I kept checking to make sure she was breathing, and soon my eyes shut, and I was asleep.