“The other women?”I ask the driver.
He says nothing, keeping his face forward.
The rise and fall of my chest hasn’t slowed since Calix shoved me into the back of this caravan. But it’s been too long and his departing words repeat over and over in my mind.
“Don’t make any sounds. Any movements.”
Don’t let them take you.
I tug at my earlobe before glancing out the small, curtained window. The caravan is still parked near the bridge but now more guards have filtered out. They shout amongst each other; the glint of their blades makes my stomach lurch.
Looking for you. Time to run, susi.
Run. Yes. That I’m good at. I tighten my shirt around myself and place my hand on the door?—
“We need to search this caravan by order of the king.”
I freeze, my hand still gripping the handle.
“No need,” the driver says, suddenly finding his voice. “Lord Calix will be back any moment then we’ll be out of your hair.”
“You didn’t hear me,” the guard says. “We’ve been instructed to search every caravan, no matter who it belongs to.”
“Suit yourself.” The weight in the front shifts as the driver steps down. My heart sets a bruising pace as I eye the door. The men are on the opposite side. No way out.
I’m in a cage.
I slide my hand from the door and bite my tongue to keep from crying. My throat is too tight, my body too weak. The door pushes open?—
A loud crack sounds outside.
The guard shouts, but I can’t make out any words. Metal hits metal and I take it as my opportunity to run. I push the door open, and when I land, my bare feet hit something sticky and wet. Crimson pools beneath me. Darkness rushes my vision. My lungs squeeze and the images I fight every night come cascading down.
Snow.
Crimson.
Steel.
“Elora.”
I’m snapped out of my panic by a voice. I don’t look up from the ground as the darkness washes from my vision. I don’t trust that it isn’t in my head for so many of the voices are.
“Elora.” A hand brushes mine, and I don’t need to look to know but it’s the touch that my body remembers. Recognizes even in the storm of panic. I’d know it anywhere. In any shadowed corner of the earth. His thumb tucks under my chin and lifts upward.
“Sorin.” My voice cracks.
He pulls off his mask, and his dark eyes find mine. Every wall I’ve built around myself the last few weeks shatters. The lump in my throat grows painful as I fall into his chest. His clothes are wet and bloodied, I’m sure from the guard, but I don’t let it stop me from wrapping my arms around him. As his fingers snake through my hair and his lips brush my forehead.
“I have you,” he whispers against my skin. His hands hold tightly against my back. “I have you, love.”
He came for me all the while I was coming for him. I’ve always wondered if the darkness yearns for the sun each night. If it wishes to have only a taste of its golden warmth and light. But now I know it to be true. Because he is here. Good and light and warm and safe. And despite all of my darkness, he is the sun I crave.
“We need to hurry.” Calix steps forward, clasping a hand on Sorin’s shoulder.
Sorin pulls away but doesn’t let go of my hand as he guides me back into the caravan.
Once inside, my hearing is muffled by the sound of my heart overworking in my chest. But through the constant thrumming comes a noise loud enough to make me jump.
