Chapter 17
“Finn!” I scream. More like I whisper, because my voice is barely audible. My throat burns. It’s dry and hoarse, causing me to break into a coughing fit. Sweat blankets my skin as I try to shake the terrifying images from my mind.
Only they’re not clear. A dark horse, murky water. Finn coming at me, beating me with his large, powerful tail. My body trembles. Maybe I don’t want to remember.
I take my time sitting up and wait for the room to stop spinning before I look around. The house is quiet, and Ana is nowhere to be seen. I’m alone. I don’t remember how I got here. Was it a dream? I smooth my hands over my rounded belly.
No. Finn was real. That means the nightmare was too.
Getting to my feet, I feel sore and stiff. My head is woozy. I stumble to the kitchen area, where a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a brimberry muffin wait.
I scratch my head, confused. Did Erin leave the food for me? Did I prepare a dish for Ana and forget about it? I hate that I have lapses in my memory.
The last thing I remember was Finn fighting the dark kelpie. He’s not here with me. Was he hurt too? Did he lose to the other kelpie? Or did he change his mind about staying here with me?
I clasp the chain around my neck. I’m still wearing it. I wonder if it works even from a distance. It’s worth a shot.
“Come to me, Finn.”
Regardless of whether he shows up or not, I need to end the madness today. I’m going to pull myself together, get my daughter, and bring her home. In the meantime, it won’t hurt if I eat a little.
*
Loud, heavy footsteps thump outside, growing closer. My heart skips every other beat. I know it’s not likely; those footsteps sound too familiar, but… Could it be? Is it possible? My door opens.
“Masha, you’re awake.”
I’m deflated. The air leaves my lungs. My eyes water. I hoped. I prayed. I try to hide my disappointment. What’s the point? Em knows what I’m thinking, and I’m going to lean on him heavily to help me through the coming weeks and months.
“Thank you. For the food. For everything.” I rush to the tree with legs and wrap my arms around him. He’s rigid under my hands, but then he takes a breath and embraces me back.
“You gave us all a scare.” His arms tighten around me. This is the most affection he’s ever shown me. Erin is turning him into a big softie.
“I didn’t mean to.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “I just . . .” I can’t finish my sentence. What’s the point? I made the biggest mistake of my life and pushed away the people who love me the most. “There’s no excuse for my behavior. You were right, and I should’ve trusted you.”
“Love can do that. Make you see people or things in a way that others don’t. It clouds your judgment and makes you act in ways you never expected.”
Em takes a peek at my plate. “You didn’t finish your muffin.”
“I can’t eat anymore.” I’m not throwing up, but I don’t want to push my luck. I let out a long breath as I work to unclasp my bracelet.
Em’s large hand covers mine, stopping me.
“Leave it on. It saved you.”
“It did?”
Em nods. “That and the kelpie.” I hear the disapproval in his voice. “He felt that you were in danger. He jumped out of the spring and took off through the forest after you.”
My heart turns to liquid and sinks to my toes. He’s not here. His absence hurts so much more, knowing what he did for me. If I meant so much to him that he saved me, wouldn’t he be at my side?
“He really saved me?”
“Yes. You know my powers diminish once I leave the forest. That includes jumping in the river. He went in after you while I waited at the edge for you with a tree trunk. Once you surfaced, I extended it for you to grab onto and pulled you to shore.”
Finn didn’t get me to land. I want to ask Em if he has any idea what happened to Finn, but I’m afraid of his answer.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” I’m hopeful that he won’t blow his top when he finds out I’m pregnant. At least he doesn’t think Finn is the embodiment of evil anymore.
“There will be time to talk later. Now, finish your muffin. Someone’s been waiting a long time to see you.”
A long time. “How long?”
“Almost two weeks.”
“I’ve been asleep for two weeks? How is that possible?”
“Not sleeping. Healing. I’ll be back soon, finish up.”
I nod, excited to see my daughter. Poor Ana. I should’ve asked Em what they told her. More like what she saw. I knocked her down as I stopped her from touching the kelpie. How the hell am I going to explain any of this to her?