Chapter 25 Lore #3
I slipped my boots on, feeling the snug fit as I laced them tightly, then reached for the dagger I’d stolen from the pirate ship.
The blade glinted in the dim light as I slid it into its sheath and strapped it securely to my ankle.
Hopefully, I wouldn’t accidentally stab myself.
I grabbed the weapons belt and checked to make sure the phoenix tear was still tucked safely inside one of the built-in compartments. All was well.
Conquest had finally turned around, and his attention fell to the weapon.
He studied it with a measured look, as if weighing my ability to wield it. I wouldn’t be winning any competitions, but I knew to aim the pointy end at him.
His gaze traveled upward, tracing the curve of my bare legs, pausing briefly on the borrowed tunic that hit just above my knees, and finally rested on my face.
A slight nod accompanied his single word of approval.
“Better.”
It was a miracle that I kept my eye roll internal.
“I’ll sleep soundly knowing I have your blessing.”
Without another word, he spun around sharply on his heel and strode back up the winding dirt path we’d taken earlier.
I kept pace with him, delighted about getting on with the hunt. I needed to think of a good strategy to evade capture and collect my favor.
The main character in the book hadn’t been lucky; she’d gotten corned by Death and War. Personally, I was convinced she’d hoped to get caught by them.
The love triangle was one for the ages.
Pitting War against Death led to some epic tension. And lots of disaster.
Thankfully, I had no designs to meet either of them if I could help it.
Since the sun was still slowly slinking across in the sky, I had plenty of time before midnight to come up with something good.
They might be Fae legends, but I’d read their stories and knew all their tricks. I had to hope they translated to this realm.
We walked briskly up the path, and the towering trees on either side of us swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering softly.
The forest buzzed with the sounds of small animals and birds rustling through the foliage. Thankfully, I didn’t think any of the creatures scurrying around were the specters.
Those creepy vampires had taken one look at the Fae and vanished.
I imagined it wasn’t the first time they’d encountered him.
As I strode along after Conquest, I concentrated on stepping lightly and silently, thinking there was no time like the present to practice for later.
I wasn’t horrible at treading quietly, but I had also never needed to be aware of each footfall before.
Whenever I walked to the library for my shift, I was usually wrapped up in whatever book I’d just finished and had no need to focus on where I stepped or how loud I was.
No one cared aside from a few annoyed squirrels, which would flick their tails and chitter at me as I accidentally disturbed their peace.
My heart pounded in anticipation as we reached the top of the hill, and the magnificent tree castle reappeared before us.
Its soaring wooden towers intertwined with the branches, making it the most magical sight I’d ever witnessed.
The only thing that marred the view was the hanging bridge, its vine-covered ropes creaking ominously in the wind.
I’d forgotten we needed to cross it to get to the castle.
Conquest approached the bridge confidently and extended his arm, gesturing for me to get on it first.
Of all the times for him to suddenly become a gentleman.
“So magnanimous.”
“Feel free to thank me as often as you’d like. I enjoy a bit of groveling.”
I shot him a glare, and he responded with a dark grin.
I ignored it and his glimmering chest and adopted my best fake-it-’til-I-make-it attitude to hype myself up.
Heights weren’t my favorite.
Mostly because I was sane and valued my life.
The bridge looked ancient and weathered, and one wrong step would probably send me plummeting to my death.
“All this magic and you don’t have a sturdier bridge?” I asked.
“Quit stalling.”
The soft fabric of his borrowed tunic whipped around my legs as I hesitantly placed my foot on the first wooden plank of the bridge.
It creaked in warning.
I immediately stepped back.
The arrogant Fae jabbed me between the shoulder blades to prod me along.
“Start walking, or I’ll carry you across.”
Given his sweat-slicked bare skin, I might go careening to my death. If he didn’t toss me over the side first just for fun.
Which, judging by the slight longing in his tone, was exactly what he’d want.
I was seriously surrounded by murderers and psychopaths.
I swallowed hard, ignoring the sudden lump in my throat, and gathered every ounce of courage I had.
To make things extra fun, the hanging bridge started to sway alarmingly fast from side to side, its wooden planks groaning under the mounting pressure of the gusting wind.
With a quick mental note to myself that plummeting into jagged rocks wasn’t on today’s agenda, I gingerly stepped onto the first plank.
The bridge swung harder, and my heart pounded like the most overused drum in existence. This next leg of our journey was off to a tremendous start.
I froze, waiting for the movement to settle, then began the world’s slowest shuffle forward.
Behind me, I felt the horseman looming like a threatening rain cloud. My pace was giving snails a good name and he was muttering curses in Fae.
His lack of concern for our impromptu tightrope act was both impressive and irritating, and I not-so-secretly hoped the next gust of wind would knock him off it.
Alas, he stepped onto the bridge with a casual stride, completely indifferent to the precarious swinging we were doing over the deep ravine.
He leaned close, his breath warm against my ear, and taunted.
“Don’t look down, little rabbit.”
His unsolicited advice sent a shiver down my spine. He and Blondie needed to compare notes for their stellar motivational speeches.
I gripped the coarse vine-covered ropes on either side tightly, and with white-knuckled determination, I pressed forward.
Every time I faltered, I forced myself onward, one sluggish step at a time.
I kept my attention locked on the imposing silhouette of the castle at the far end, even if each step was a battle against the fear threatening to overwhelm me.
I really, really hated heights.
I cautiously made my way across the Faerie bridge from hell while the wind lashed at my hair and clothing with the fury of a displeased god.
I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, refusing to look down into the dizzying depths of the ravine below, terrified of the drop that awaited if I took one wrong step.
The bridge swung wildly beneath us, the ropes creaking and groaning in protest with each gust of wind.
Only a few yards remained before we’d reach the other side.
I continued forward, carefully placing each foot on the weathered planks, conscious of their shifting beneath my weight. One step closer. And another.
My pulse raced, but there was an undeniable exhilaration coursing through me too, an intoxicating thrill that mingled with the fear.
I’d never been more afraid, but I’d also never felt more alive.
Every cell in my body was buzzing.
Probably in fear, but still.
Energy crackled through me with every step I took.
We finally reached the end of the ancient bridge, and I let out a sigh of relief. I managed to avoid the crabwalk of shame and retained all my dignity, or at least what was left of it. I counted that as a solid win.
Conquest reached around and placed his palm against the enormous arched doors, muttering something in what I assumed was Old Fae.
Words etched in an unfamiliar language shimmered into existence, glowing with an otherworldly, iridescent hue before gradually fading back into the wood.
With a deep, resonant creak, the doors swung open, revealing what was hidden beyond them and the hanging bridge of doom.
A courtyard. Cobblestones. Vendors setting up their stalls.
And more pressingly, a second horseman.
That was how I found myself staring directly into the enigmatic face of War.
“Hello, mortal.”
So much for staying off his radar.