“Is it weird that I think I can feel it? The pain, the darkness, the despair? I think that’s why I was drawn to Leith, or maybe the reason I was brought here.”
“It’s no surprise your story has led you here.”
She considers my words, then lifts a hand toward her forehead. “It almost makes me feel dizzy.”
Before her hand can even reach her brow, I’m at her side, both palms gripping her elbows to keep her steady. She stumbles as if she has true vertigo before allowing herself to be captured in my arms. I pull us both away from the cliff’s edge. “We should head back to Leith. I’ll even tuck you in, if you ask politely.”
Fable snuggles for a moment into my embrace before sucking in a breath and pushing away from me. Her strength seems to have returned with fervor. “I’d like to explore the caves.”
“No,” I say firmly.
“No?” She grins, eyes burning with stubborn fire even in the moonlight. “Mark my words, Alder Maclean, if my great-aunt’s disappearance has anything to do with those caves, I will find out.”
I shrug, unwilling to fight with her.
“Why is it you’re always here, anyway? It’s like I can’t escape you.”
“Am I someone you think you need to escape?”
She narrows her eyes and cocks her head. “I’m not sure yet. Are you?”
“I told you I would protect you if you couldn’t yourself. That’s why I’m here.”
“But how? How are you always here? I’m starting to feel as if I have my own creepy stalker.”
“I can’t explain that, Fable.”
“Can’t?Orwon’t?”She’s playing with a tiny item in her palm, running her fingers over something gleaming brightly and faceted in the moonlight.
My heart stops when I realize what it is.
She has no idea what she carries in her palm so casually, that she could bring down the houses of men if used the right way. That’s why I found her in the fashion I did. Maybe that’s even the reason I’m subconsciously drawn to her, like a magnet to metal. Our connection isn’t pure or sweet, but exists on an elemental level. I want to ask her where she found it, but I think I already have an idea.
Unable to stand not touching her any longer, I cross the distance between us. The one question I have is the one I can’t answer, not now, not yet. So instead, I drop the pad of my thumb along her hairline and softly hum,“From ash to dust, from salt to Skye, fore every lovelorn maiden…”I can’t bring myself to breathe the last phrase. The one that seals her fate. I pray she isn’t meant to find the little gem and token before she’s ready.
The consequences are unfathomable otherwise.
“What is that? A poem? I’ve never heard it. It’s beautiful,” she whispers, eyes hovering on mine.
“It’s not beautiful, Fable. Its beauty is a lie. Its beauty is the curse.”
Fable
“When the sun shines, itreallyshines,” I muttered the following morning, partly grouchy for the restless night of sleep I’d endured. Dreams and night terrors had whispered at the edges of my consciousness as I’d tossed and turned. Kelpies and fairy children and evil landowners with dogs that hunted children flooded my mind. I’d woken with my heart pounding out of my chest too many times to count, every howling wind and falling branch tormenting me from my dark dreams.
“You’re as white as a sheet. When’s the last time you saw sunlight?” Harris grinned, holding an apple in his outstretched palm. “Brought you breakfast.”
“Thanks.” I took a bite, enjoying the way it crunched between my teeth. “I haven’t slept since I got to this place.” One of the wolfhounds pressed itself between Harris and me, sniffing the stranger once before lying at his feet. Harris scratched him on the head easily before I continued. “Thanks for coming over this morning. I probably would have slept all day if your knock hadn’t woken me up.”
“Maybe you should get some sleep.”
I shook my head and took another bite. “I want to explore the Witch Caves.”
“What? No way. That’s the most dangerous spot to find yourself. Right under the cliff? No thanks.”
“You baby.”
Harris’s eyes darkened. “Listen, I’ve lived my entire life on this island, and I’ve never been down there. There’s a reason for it. The tides change in an instant—hell, the winds change in an instant. You think all those women who lost their lives just threw themselves over the cliff? Of course not. It’s the wind that catches them, and they stumble too close to the edge that crumbles a little more every day, and thenbam!Dead on the rocks. The next big wave takes you out to sea, and you’re fish food. Well, not me. You’re a crazy fool for even wanting to go down there.”
