Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
With Kole’s tense emotions finally subdued, we relaxed into comfortable silence for the rest of the afternoon.
A part of me wished we could return to the easy conversation we had before encountering the six males—especially because Kole had been about to reveal where he’d been born—but while Kole’s terror had abated, he’d also closed off, as though retreating somewhere inward to a place of retrospection and quiet.
Sighing, I decided to use the opportunity to mentally check in with my aunt and let her know I was okay.
Our conversation was quick, since she was in the middle of trying to get Timith to drink, and once I disconnected from Gwen, I sought my best friend.
Who knew when I’d next have such a fortuitous opportunity to speak with her.
My connection to Ree formed immediately, as if she’d been waiting to hear from me.
Prim, how are you? Is everything okay?
Internally, I laughed humorlessly. Okay?
Well, I suppose that’s one way to put it.
It’s been an interesting day, that’s for sure.
I quickly summarized what had happened that morning with my stolen carpet, the Faewood group who had offered me a ride, and then Kole’s insistence that I travel with him instead.
And when I got to the part about running into six shifter males who meant to rob us, maim us, rape me, or who knew what else, Ree’s breath sucked in.
And even more so when I told her that Kole proceeded to kill all of them.
Are you serious? He murdered them?
Well, I don’t know if it counts as murder when he’s an Imperial Warrior who was attacked first. You could argue that he was defending himself and me.
But killing them was a rather extreme reaction, don’t you think? Wouldn’t the kingsfae have arrested those males instead and brought them to the courts to meet their justice?
I nibbled on my lip, then nodded. Yes, that’s likely what the kingsfae would have done, but I’m quickly learning that Imperial Warriors are governed by their own set of rules.
Even though Kole apprehended those two males back in Mistvale and had Abel arrested in Whiteolf, the shifter males we encountered up here were .
. . I paused, shuddering. They were out to kill, Ree, not just take our rulibs. I’m sure of it.
Stars Above. I could practically feel her shiver. In that case, never mind. If you think Kole killing them was the best way to deal with them, I trust your judgment.
I toyed with the hem of my shirt, Kole none the wiser that I was communicating with my best friend back in Mistvale.
There’s more, Ree. He said something really odd to those males.
I stopped myself from shaking my head, in case Kole started to suspect that I was either talking to myself or carrying on with some other delusion.
He warned them not to touch me. He called me his, or rather, what he actually said was mine to the shifters, and that if they touched me, they’d die.
A moment of silence came from her. Mine? Like the mine males use when they’ve claimed a female?
We sailed around a steep bend in the road, and a blast of cold wind shot into me. Yeah, that kind of mine.
She paused, then said, That’s definitely weird. Another moment of silence came from her. Do you think he said it because you’re in Stonewild? You know, the land of shifters and whatnot? Even though all mated fae males speak like that, shifters are notorious for that kind of language.
I sighed. Yeah, you’re right. I thought the same thing, too, initially. I don’t know why I’m overthinking it.
Maybe because you’ve had a really shite week, and this is just one more bizarre thing you’re dealing with, she replied dryly.
I laughed. That could definitely be it.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kole give me a perplexed look, and I realized I’d just laughed out loud.
Smothering my amusement, I wiped my expression clean and changed subjects with Ree. How are Siam and Bennif?
She shrugged. They’re good. Nothing exciting or as death-defying as what you’ve been experiencing, thankfully. She filled me in on her husband and child, and when I asked if she’d brought that meal to my aunt and uncle, I felt her nod.
And how are they? I held my breath as I waited for her answer. Even though I’d already spoken with my aunt, I wanted another perspective. Ree didn’t see my uncle every day. She might have a completely different viewpoint on how he was doing.
Similar to how they’ve been before. Your uncle hasn’t taken a turn for the worse, so please don’t worry about that, because I know that’s what you’re worrying about.
But it’s heartbreaking to see him. Gwen was appreciative of the meal, but I don’t know if they’ll eat it. She seems too stressed to eat.
My heart cracked. Eating has been hard for both of us, even though Verin is constantly trying to feed us.
I know, Prim. I’m so sorry.
I toyed with the hem of my shirt again. What else is new?
She told me more of the daily going-ons in Whiteolf and what she’d read just that morning in the Whiteolf Tribune about the Stone.
Nobody’s found it yet, obviously, since magic hasn’t clapped the realm, and they’re predicting that over half the fae who had originally left to hunt the Stone have already returned home.
They also reported that arrests are up on the continent by thirty-eight percent.
She laughed lightly. I think everyone knew that was coming.
But how’s your hunt going? Is the seekerill still working?
I palmed the device, safely stowed in my pocket. It seems to be.
Do you truly think the Stone will be that easy to find, given the book you borrowed from the Isle of Song and your uncle’s invention?
I thought of what lay ahead, of where the seekerill was currently leading me. Silventine Wood. Something tells me it won’t be. I told her where I was likely going, where all evidence was pointing, and the second I mentioned Silventine Wood, her breath sucked in.
Oh Gods, Prim. You can’t be serious. You’re truly going to venture into Silventine Wood if that’s where the seekerill leads you?
If I want to find it, I’m not sure if I have a choice.
But that Wood is deadly.
I winced. I know.
Is Kole going with you?
I subtly glanced at the warrior. The entire time I’d been speaking with Ree, Kole had sat silently.
I don’t know. I suppose it depends on what his superiors order of him.
I’ll pray to all of the gods and goddesses that he accompanies you if you have to go there.
A shiver ran through me, because she was right. Venturing into Silventine Wood alone could end in disaster. Thank you.
Ree and I spoke for a few more minutes, then said our goodbyes.
You’ll contact me again soon, right? she asked. And you promise to tell me if you do go into that Wood, so I can send help if needed?
Not that help would get there in time, but I didn’t remind her of that. I’ll try.
Love you, Prim. Gods and Goddesses, please stay safe. Okay?
I’ll do my best. You can count on that, and love you too. We whispered another goodbye, and once again, I was alone in my head.
Evening had arrived, the day growing darker faster than it would have south of us. It reminded me of what I was facing, if I did have to venture to Silventine Wood. It probably saw nighttime even earlier than this.
I nibbled on my lip as the darkness around us grew. I would have to be smart and prepared if the seekerill led me there. My wards wouldn’t fully protect me, even if I managed to keep them over me while also flying on a carpet, which meant I would have to come up with a different plan.
An intersection loomed in the darkness ahead, and Kole slowed the carpet. The moons had begun to rise, and twilight had set in.
When we reached the intersecting roads, Kole stopped the carpet entirely. “Which way?”
I started. It was the first time he’d spoken in hours, but at least he sounded calm. Normal. His fury and terror had vanished entirely.
My eyebrows rose. “You’re going to let me decide?”
“I thought that was obvious.” He gestured toward the seekerill in my pocket.
Frowning, I cocked my head. “What about your job? Aren’t you here as a warrior on patrol? Don’t you have to be in a specific location?”
“My orders are to stay on patrol. I’ve been on patrol all day.”
I realized he was right. Kole was indeed traveling the Wood of Stonewild.
We’d encountered more fae since leaving the body parts along the road hours ago, but other than one hunting party also searching for the Stone—who was traveling south and away from where I believed it waited—the rest had been locals.
And even though I’d kept an eye out for Jessip, Nym, and Felix, we hadn’t seen them since departing Inisville.
And thankfully, none of those things that had escaped from Silventine Wood had made an appearance either.
I smiled tentatively and pulled the seekerill from my pocket, holding it on my palm. The needle spun.
The sign at the intersection’s center showed four directions we could follow. East led to the port city of Wagsworth, southeast to Jaggedston, northwest to the Bay of Rocksmund, and directly north ventured to Silventine Wood.
The needle’s spinning stopped and pointed in one direction. North. It clearly pointed toward the road leading to Silventine Wood.
“Shite,” I whispered beneath my breath.
Kole also eyed the seekerill. “North it is.”
He whispered a command to the carpet, and we sailed through the intersection.
I knew I could have been imagining it, but it felt as though we were being watched in the Wood, as if the deadly animals that roamed Silventine Wood had all broken free and were just waiting to pounce on us when our backs turned.
I knew I was imagining it, but I still shuddered.
“Everything okay?” Kole asked, his tone guarded, and it struck me that he was initiating a conversation again.
I smiled encouragingly. “Yeah, I was just thinking about what lies ahead. My imagination is starting to run away with me.”
His lips curved. “You’re not a believer in wildesnare or treefang, are you?”
I laughed. “No, not since I was a wee child and actually believed my aunt’s bedtime stories.”
He laughed too, and my heart warmed to hear that easy sound. “Me neither, but we should stop soon. It’s growing dark, and even though none of those mythical creatures have ever actually been proven real, this part of the Wood is best left alone at night.”
“Why’s that?”
“Larpanoons are said to roam here, and those are very real.”
My eyes widened. Larpanoons were some of the deadliest animals in the land, and it wouldn’t matter how strong of a ward I placed around myself on the Wood’s floor. Their claws could shred through magic. “Stars Above, I nearly forgot about those.”
“Exactly. It would be best if we found a cave or a rocky enclosure that we can brace with not only magic but stone too. Thankfully, even those beasts can’t gouge their way through a mountain.”
“Do you know this terrain well enough to find such a place?”
He shook his head, and he eyed the mountainous landscape. “No, but keep your eyes peeled. I imagine we’re not the first fae to be searching for a place to rest around here. There’s bound to be somewhere.”
“What about another village? We could stay at an inn.” I pulled my map from my sack.
“I don’t think there are any nearby.”
“I’ll take a look.” Forehead furrowing, I spread my map out in front of me, scanning the parchment until I found the intersection we’d just passed.
When I saw that Kole was right—the nearest village was over fifty miles east and would have required taking the road to Wagsworth—my hope withered.
North of us, there was only one more small village, and it was over a hundred miles away from where I’d asked for my carpet to be delivered. “You’re right. Shite, shite, shite.”
Kole glanced my way. “It’s not that bad, is it? We’ll find a place.”
“No, you’re right . . . but that’s not why I’m upset. I just realized the enchanted carpet I ordered in Inisville is going to be delivered east of here. I’ll have to backtrack to get it.”
He frowned slightly. “Why did you order another carpet? I told you that you could ride with me.”
“For the moment, yes, but what if your superiors order you to go elsewhere? I won’t be able to join you because I need to find the Stone.”
“My orders won’t take me elsewhere.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Trust me. They won’t be changing. I’m to patrol this area of Stonewild. I can keep giving you a ride.”
“Truly? You’re sure?”
His gaze met mine, and in the growing moonlight, his sapphire irises glittered like gemstones. “I’m sure. I’ll stay with you until your hunt is done.”
A blast of relief hit me that was so strong, I nearly slumped back. “Thank you.” Yet, I nibbled my lip and wondered if he knew what he was promising. “But what if my hunt leads me into Silventine Wood?”
“I’ll stay with you, Prim, and if you’re going into Silventine Wood, I’m definitely staying at your side.”