Valik sighed, puffing out his cheeks in defeat. “I was hoping it might’ve ended up elsewhere. It was possible, ya know? Especially after all this time.”
“Brecken,” Talitha stated. “He’s the key, Valik.”
Valik groaned. “Fuck. We’re so fucked.”
The Mystic cleared her throat. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have stolen?—”
“I know, okay? I was young and desperate. I told you this.” Valik shook his head. “Anyways, lessons learned and whatever.”
“For fuck’s sake, youneverlearn,” Talitha said, exasperated, before shoving past Valik, not looking back as she entered the glass building.
Chilly breezes hadme hugging myself during the trek through the open field back to the castle. Bluish hills sat in the distance where the Celestial Castle stood. The three of us walked in silence as I processed everything that had happened back with the Mystics. But it was Valik and Talitha’s conversation from before our departure that replayed in my mind. Who was Brecken, and what in the gods’ name did Valik steal from him?
Scarlett had seemed lost in her thoughts as well, but soon broke the silence when she asked, “Did I hear Talitha say they’re going to be teaching you telepathy and sign language?”
I glanced at her from the side, strangely nervous about her reaction. Scarlett didn’t seem like the type of person who’d be cool with me just popping into her head for a conversation at will. I nodded, confirming her question.
“Fucking hell, Cotton!” she squealed, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “That’s brilliant. I’m so godsdamn happy for you.”
A genuine smile spread across my face, my shoulders relaxing as I wrapped an arm around her lower back.
“Seriously, this is huge. You deserve this so much.” Scarlett squeezed me before pulling away and grabbing my palm in hers. “I’m going to assume that Forest is responsible for your tongue.”
With a nod, I dropped my gaze to the bluish grass. The last thing I wanted to do was reminisce about that day. But eventually, when I gained the ability to communicate with her, I’d share the entire story.
“I’m so sorry. I should’ve known.”
I snapped my attention back to her, frowning with a harsh shake of my head. Absolutely not. She had no way of knowing, regardless of how awful Forest was.
“I only have one question about it, and then I won’t push you anymore on the subject until you’re ready to talk more.” Scarlett looked unsure, chewing on the inside of her cheek.
I nudged her with my shoulder, encouraging her to go on even as I braced for her inquiry.
“Did it have to do with your mom’s death?” The question was nearly a whisper.
I hesitated, knowing that if I answered, it would only spur more questions in her mind, and I knew they’d drive her crazy until I could give them to her.
That felt cruel. So, I nodded, my gut twisting at the memory.
“I’m so sorry,” Scarlett responded, squeezing my palm again. “I won’t push you for more, but gods, I wish I’d known. But I’m here for you now, once you’re ready to tell me everything, okay?”
If Valik was listening to our conversation from several feet ahead, he didn’t let on. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he were.
As Scarlett and I carried on in comfortable silence, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude that she was here with me. Gratitude for Valik, even, rushed my chest. If he hadn’t healed her when we arrived…I didn’t know how I’d have managed any of this without her at my side.
Pink and purple clouds began to color the sky, signaling dusk in Arcadia. It seemed a minor difference, yet it contrasted with the violent orange and red sunsets from back home. Here, the onset of evening was peaceful, despite the sickness that invaded this once utopian land.
About fifteen minutes into our short journey back, a sick, gravelly roar echoed from the forest surrounding the open field. I came to a halt, nervously glancing at Scarlett as adrenaline spiked in my veins. I itched for my sword, but I didn’t want to draw more attention to ourselves, fearing any extra movement would spook the creature. Scarlett scanned from one side of the tree line to the other, squinting. Meanwhile, Valik carried on, seemingly unperturbed, except for the slight tilt of his head as if listening for the most minute sounds.
When we crested the top of the first hill five minutes later, the beastly sound came again. The blood pulsing through my veins throbbed in my ears. The safety of the castle wards was only a mile away—I prayed we could make it back in time.
Valik froze, closing his eyes with a furrowed brow.
Scarlett and I reached for our blades, but Valik waved his hands, signaling for us to put them away. We paused, our hands on the hilts of our swords, and exchanged unsure glances.
“Your weapons will attract it,” Valik whispered, searching the forest’s tree line from the top of the hill. “Best we keep moving and hurry back to the castle.”
My heart sped up, and my muscles tensed as I went on high alert. As we walked, picking up our pace, I tapped into my Kinetic magic, focusing my vision in search of thermal energy signatures, but nothing appeared.
