‘Don’t cry, chosen one.’
The voice that fills my head is so tender and sweet, it makes the tears fall faster.
‘I can’t help it. I feel so lost,’ I reply.
‘You only need to follow your heart. If you do, you can regret nothing.’
Her words settle in my chest, soothing the crack that has formed from Maxon’s absence.
‘I miss him so much,’my voice breaks with the admission. ‘I don’t know how to get him back. I don't know what I’m doing.’
The water spirit's expression softens, her shimmering form radiating a quiet strength. ‘You are stronger than you think,’she replies gently.‘I’ve been watching you since you arrived, and you’ve grown. Your magic is returning, along with your memories.’
I blink, startled, unsure how to respond. How could she see strength in me when all I feel is this aching emptiness?
‘You can reach him,’she continues.
My heart leaps with hope, even though doubt shadows my thoughts.‘How?’
‘Listen,’she urges.
‘To what?’
‘Listen. Your hearts are one. Your souls are one. If you truly listen and follow that connection, you’ll find him.’
I swallow hard, wrestling with the desire to believe her.‘I’ve tried that. It . . . it didn’t work.’
She shakes her head slowly, her gaze never leaving mine. ‘You’ll need each other very soon. If you don’t feed within the next few days, your strength will wane. You’ll likely fall ill.’
‘Feed? What do you mean?’I ask, panic tightening in my chest.
‘The headaches. It’s your fangs coming through. Once mated, you are required to feed from each other every new moon. It keeps the body and bond strong. This pull to feed, it will consume you.’
I stare at her, dumbfounded. Why didn’t anyone bring this up before?
‘They likely didn’t know that druids require the same as the high fae. And didn’t want you fretting over Maxon any more than you already are.’
My eyes dart to hers. Did she?
‘Yes, I can hear your thoughts. They are very loud.’
‘Sorry?’
The water spirit laughs, and the sound is like tiny chiming bells.
‘What is your name?’I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
‘Faelynn.’
‘That’s pretty.’
She grins and a shimmer of light moves through the water, lighting up her form even more.
I hear the sound of approaching footfalls, and sense Anika and Nymeria drawing nearer with someone.
The water spirit must sense them, too, because she moves closer, taking my hands in hers.
‘You just need to truly listen,’she explains, placing her hand over my heart.
