MARLAK
The stars are still shining outside, their subtle glow the only light coming in through the thin curtains. I move quietly out of bed, then pick the clothes I left aside.
Astra’s sound asleep, her face so peaceful as she breathes in and out slowly, her hands clinging to the sheet wrapped around her naked body. As I get dressed, I take my time observing her, engraving the image in my memory; her hair framing her face, her lashes against her skin, the uplifted corner of her mouth.
Peace. Perfection. Calm.
It’s the reason I won’t falter. Won’t fail.
I grab my bag and approach the door with gentle steps, but before I open it, I hear Astra stirring.
“Marlak?”
I turn around and sit on the bed. “I’m leaving. I need to get to the Shadow Lands when the sun is rising.”
“Without saying goodbye?”
I run a hand through her hair. “I didn’t want to awaken you.”
In reality, I wanted to avoid a tearful goodbye, or perhaps avoid seeing any doubt, any fear in her eyes.
She smiles at me. “You’ll do great. I trust you.”
Unsure what to say, I kiss her lips briefly. “I’ll be back.”
“I know.”
Strangely, her certainty does little to soothe the ache in my chest. Perhaps deep down, I’m the one who still has doubts. The thought makes my heart heavy, but one more look at her face gives me the courage I need.
I leave the bedroom and meet Ferer and Nelsin in the kitchen. Based on their stoic expressions, I assume they still haven’t made up. To be fair, Nelsin’s face still irks me with the reminder of what Astra went through, when he defied me, took her out of the island, then they were attacked by bloodpuppets. His irresponsible act almost got her killed. The thought chills my blood.
Still, he owes a life debt to her, he’s trying to help, and the support of the giants will be welcome.
Leaving Astra without anyone assigned for her protection makes my heart ache, but I should be back soon, and she has Ziven, Lidiane, and Azur. And Renel, I guess. Not to mention the nymphs. She’ll be fine—if she stays put. And she promised to stay.
We approach the edge of the island, then I glide over the river using air magic while Ferer swims and Nelsin uses an ice disk to cross. On the other side, we reach the faerie ring, and soon we’re in the north of the Fae Lands, from where we walk towards our destination.
The sun makes an appearance in the horizon right when we reach the Charmed River, which is just a creek in this area. We jump over it, then take slow steps into the Shadow Lands. Monsters don’t usually roam its southern borders, and the dim sunlight should be enough to scare them, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra attentive.
We walk faster as daylight floods the sky, gaining distance from the border. Once we’re fairly far from the river, at a distance where the giants can reach, we stop and Nelsin whistles. The giants don’t respond or show up immediately, so we keep walking.
From time to time, Nelsin whistles again, and the only response we get is the soft murmur of the wind.
No sign of the giants.
If they don’t help us, getting to the north and back again will be impossible. I want to slap myself for not only trusting Nelsin, of all fae, but for concocting a plan that hinged on his assumption.
“Perhaps we should run,” Ferer finally suggests, as if reading my thoughts.
Nesin shakes his head. “We’ll get tired for no reason. The giants want to help. They’ll come.”
An annoyed huff escapes my lips. “You can’t know that. You never even discussed this with them.”
“I did.” Nelsin waves his hands. “They told me to find a way to stop this magic, thisshaking, as they call it. They told me they’d do anything to help, if it was within their means. They told me to whistle and that they’d come.”
“So where are they?” I ask.
Nelsin inhales a shaky breath. “Late? Taking a little longer? I’m not sure.”
