Glancing back, I half-expected to see Eryn racing to catch up with me. But she was nowhere in sight, and foronce, fortune smiled on me. I plunged into the depths of the forest, my magic thrumming just beneath my skin, restless and eager to break free. I had to reach the cliffside.
As I hurried through the dense canopy of gnarled branches, my heart raced with every stride—I could feel fire coursing through my veins. The sharp thorns of the underbrush tugged at my clothes, leaving behind a trail of scrapes as I pushed against the prickly barriers with determination. Pushing through the last two bushes, I emerged into an expansive open field filled with the familiar wildflowers and green grass that stretched out like a green sea before me, leading me to the edge of the cliff.
I sprinted as though my very life depended on it, desperate to escape the overwhelming ache that had settled in my heart. Finally reaching the precipice, I collapsed to my knees, the cries of despair erupting from my throat like a volatile storm. As I hollered into the void, flames erupted from my burned, raw hands. Just as the fire threatened to engulf my entire being, I unleashed a primal scream, a sound that seemed to resonate with the very core of my existence.
The flames roared and undulated from my outstretched hands, twisting into a fiery-dragon before my eyes. I watched its fiery dance, yearning to reach out and touch the creature that had sprung from my anguish. But just as my fingers grazed the air, the fire extinguished, leaving behind nothing but an echoing silence and the faint scent of smoke. That, too, had left me, just like everything in my life did.
Staring at my outstretched hand, I recalled the searing pain of the castle doors, the memory of my skin blistering and charred. Silver. The castle doors must have had silver in them, which was why I burned.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness swept over me as if the ground beneath my feet was shifting. I steadied myself as I stood too quickly, my head started pounding, and I gazeddown into the abyss. A reckless thought flirted through my mind—what would it be like to leap into the unknown? To soar through the air, feeling the wind whip through my hair as I fell toward the rocky river below, a plunge that held the promise of release from the burdens I bore? The very idea of freefall tantalized me, clouding my thoughts with a desperate longing for the freedom that death might offer.
I hesitated, my foot hovering perilously over the edge, uncertainty coursing through me like electricity. Suddenly, a pair of powerful hands gripped my shoulders with urgency, yanking me back with such force that I tumbled backward, landing atop a solid, incredibly muscular frame.
“Great Divine, Elara, what are you fucking doing?!” I recognized the prince’s voice just like I recognized his hard body. “I was screaming your name—didn’t you hear me?!” he asked, his breath hot in my ear.
I struggled to roll away from his embrace, but his grip on my waist was rigid like iron. “I—I didn’t hear you calling. I wasn’t going to jump… I—I wasn’t…” My voice trembled as tears began to gather in my eyes, blurring my vision.
Was I actually contemplating jumping? The uncertainty gnawed at me.
Fintan gently turned my body to face him, and his worried gaze pierced through my haze of confusion. His brows knitted together, and a storm of concern brewed in his expression. With a tender hand, he reached up to brush away the tears that streaked down my cheeks. My chin quivered, and I could no longer contain the flood of emotion surging within me. I instinctively wrapped my arms around the prince, burying my face in the warmth of his chest as sobs wracked my body. All I craved was the solace of my mother’s embrace. But I would never be held by her again.
He grabbed my hands and then looked down. “Shit! What happened to your hands?!” I forgot the silver had burned me, leaving my skin bubbled. “I accidentally burned myself”, I said through my tears.
He pulled me tighter against his chest, “Shhh, it’s alright, El. I’ve got you. What happened to your mother wasn’t your fault. You’re safe,” he whispered soothingly in my ear, his voice a gentle balm against my turmoil.
Little did he know, it was entirely my fault.
I started to cry harder.
As he stroked my long hair, the rhythmic motion and the softness of his presence enveloped me, creating a cocoon of comfort I had never known before.
Time seemed to stretch as we remained there on the cool, damp grass, wrapped in each other’s silence. His hold on me never faltered, a steadfast anchor in my storm.
My tears had finally subsided, and I gently disengaged from the comfort of his chest. The heaviness around my eyes was a painful reminder of my sorrow, swollen and red from my recent outpouring. I couldn’t bear to meet the prince’s gaze, shame swirling within me—not only for my tears but also for the horrific act of taking my mother’s life.
“Um, I’m fine now. You—you can go,” I stammered, staring down at my fidgeting hands, intertwining my fingers in a restless dance. “I’m sure you have more important matters than to waste time coddling a foolish woman who behaves like a child.”
Fintan, with a gentle yet deliberate motion, hooked his finger beneath my chin, urging me to lift my head and meet his eyes. Even seated, his presence loomed over me—strong and commanding—yet there was a warmth in his demeanor that made the world feel momentarily safe.
He lowered his head closer to mine, nearly bridging the gap between us, and with a tender smile that revealed hisperfect teeth and charming dimples, he spoke softly, “I have nothing more important than to be right here, with you, El. However, I do believe that taking you back to the castle for some food would be a wise idea. I’m sure you must be hungry. You haven’t eaten in three days.”
That would explain the dizziness.
His beauty had been undeniable, almost luminous, radiating an aura that had drawn me in despite my mayhem.
“Would you like that? Perhaps I could also give you a tour of the castle if you feel up to it,” he suggested, his voice laced with an inviting warmth.
“Okay,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, but a flicker of hope ignited within me.
As a chill swept through the air, I shivered involuntarily. My skin, once burning with emotion, felt starkly cold. Fintan must have sensed my discomfort; he swiftly removed his royal-blue cape and wrapped it around my shoulders with protective ease. “Here,” he murmured, fastening the front clasp at my neck and pulling the cloak snugly around my arms. “This should keep you warm. Plus,” he added with a playful wink, “it looks far better on you than it does on me.”
Fintan stood up, extending his hand toward me with inviting warmth. My palm slid into his, a simple yet electrifying connection. As he pulled me up, I found myself closer to him than I had ever dared to be before, our chests barely a breath apart. I lifted my gaze to meet his, the mixture of nervousness and exhilaration swirling within me like leaves caught in a gentle breeze.
He held onto my hand, refusing to let go, as we continued our silent walk through the dappled shadows of the woods, the sound of our footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath us.
“How did you know I would be at the cliffside? How did you find me?” I finally asked, curiosity breaking thequiet spell. In a moment of uncertainty, I tugged my hand from his grasp.
Fintan halted, placing his hands casually into the pockets of his britches as he considered my question. “You told me about this place, that you came here when you needed to cry and escape the world. You said you visited every day. So when I got to your room—well, Zayn’s room—Eryndor said you had run off. She tried to follow, but apparently, you were too quick for her,” he said, flashing a roguish smile. “We should go running together sometime. I relish a good challenge.”
