For a long moment, silence hangs heavy between us, with only the sound of softly lapping water against the shore. Finally, the Grindylow breaks the tension, its voice a low rasp that carries across the stillness. “There is a flower that grows at the base of the ghost trees,” it says, slow and deliberate, as if weighing each word carefully. “It is golden. The petalswill absorb into the infected skin and clear the poison from the bloodstream.”
Ash’s eyes narrow slightly as she considers this, her expression giving nothing away. “Where can we find these ghost trees?” she asks, her voice steady, though I can sense the urgency beneath the surface.
The Grindylow hesitates, its gaze flicking nervously over its shoulder, as if fearing something unseen. “In the mist,” it finally whispers, barely audible.
Before we can react, the Grindylow suddenly flips backward into the water, sending a plume of spray toward us, and I instinctively lift my arm to shield my face. When I lower my arm and blink the water from my eyes, the creature is gone, leaving only ripples on the surface where it had been.
Chapter thirty
Ashwiyaa
“Because I know you exist, no other man will do.”
Ihave no idea where this mist is that the Grindylow spoke of. The only mist I’m aware of is where I entered the Outlands. The veil of mist that keeps those banished here stuck in the Outlands.
“We will just head toward the Valley of the Dead and if we happen across the golden flowers, then great, but if not, it’s okay,” Kai says, then he grips my chin, tipping my head back. His blue eyes dart between mine before he drops his mouth to mine. I loop my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.
“Okay,” I reply, hating that I can’t help him.
As we start walking, Kai explains how he got here, and the sense of betrayal I feel from Penn intensifies. Did they send Kai out of genuine concern for my well-being, or was it solely to ensure the safe return of their precious package?
“Did they say what the package was?” While we walk, the ominous shadows of my magic swirling around my feet, casting darkness along the ground.
Kai raises an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”
Before I can answer, the air grows increasingly colder, and I narrow my eyes, scanning the area. Pinpricks of awareness tighten my scalp, warning of danger.
I quickly spin around, my hand instinctively flying up to cover Kai’s mouth, silencing him before he can react. My shadows extend outward, dark tendrils spreading across the ground as I step back, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. Without hesitation, I summon my daggers, the familiar weight of the blades grounding me as I grip them tightly, turning in a slow, deliberate circle.
We are being stalked.
The air around us feels charged with unseen danger, every rustle of leaves and creak of branches sending a jolt of awareness through me. My magic ripples out across the ground, probing the area, searching for whatever—or whoever—is hunting us. We’re still a few hours from the valley, and exhaustion weighs heavily on both of us, but this new threat has to be dealt with if we are to have any hope of resting.
I meet Kai’s watchful gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. He knows as well as I do that we can’t afford to let our guard down, not even for a moment. Without a word, Kai walks slowly over to a nearby tree, his movements deliberate as he slides down to the base of its trunk, tipping his head back and closing his eyes, feigning exhaustion.
A grin tugs at my lips as I watch him. Within seconds, my body fades into the shadows, my form dissolving into wisps of darkness as I float up into the canopy of trees above. There, I wait, my senses sharp and focused, my magic on high alert. It doesn’t take long for something to approach, and I tense, scanning the ground below. My gaze darts from shadow to shadow. Kai is my bait, a lure to draw out whatever is stalking us. My heart races, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I remain hidden among the leaves.
Movement off to the left catches my attention, and I ready my blades, every muscle coiled to strike. A mountain lion slinks from the shadows, its lithe body moving with deadly grace. Its gaze is locked on Kai, who continues to feign sleep, his breathing slow and steady. The predator creeps closer, utterly focused on its unsuspecting prey.
But Kai isn’t the one it needs to worry about.
With swift, silent movements, I descend from the canopy, my blades gleaming in the dappled light filtering through the leaves. The mountain lion never sees me coming.
The fire crackles softly, its rhythmic pops and hisses creating a nearly calming ambiance that contrasts with the harsh reality we’ve been living in. Kai is seated with his back against a sturdy tree, and I’m nestled into his chest, his strong, protective arms wrapped securely around me. The warmth from the flames and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me make me relaxed—I can almost imagine we’re back home.
“You look like an Amazonian princess,” Kai murmurs, his voice low and affectionate. He tips his head down, inhaling the scent of my hair, his breath warm against my scalp. “Running around the Outlands in nothing but a crop top and underwear, and daggers.”
I chuckle softly, a smile tugging at my lips as I run my hands over his arms and snuggle deeper.
“So sexy,” he mumbles, his voice growing heavy with exhaustion, the words slurring slightly.
“Go to sleep, handsome. I’ve got first watch,” I whisper, trying to keep my tone light even as I feel the weight of the day pressing down on us both.
Kai mumbles something incoherent, his head lolling to the side, and my heart tightens in my chest. He’s given so much, sacrificed so much, just to be here with me. The thought tugs at something deep inside me, a mix of gratitude and guilt.
With a quiet sigh, I fade out of his arms, my body dissolving into shadow for just a moment before I crouch down beside him. Carefully, I guide him to the ground, sliding him down until he’s lying completely flat. Standing, I toss a few more logs onto the fire, the flames rising higher, casting flickering light across the ground.
I settle back down beside him, lifting his head onto my lap, and begin to stroke my fingers through his hair. His breathing deepens, and I watch him for a while, the firelight dancing over his features, highlighting the weariness etched into his face.
