“You would really leave me stranded here?” she asked, her voice cracking, tears pricking hot behind her eyes.
After all they’d been through, Petrina would desert her? What if Selene really was alone on this island and had no way to leave?
Petrina spun about and took Selene by the wrists, forcing her to meet her intense gaze. “Find Augustus. Findhappiness. Live your lives over and over again. Have a family together. Don’t risk losing that because you’re too curious for your own good. That woman you used to be left for areason.”
Selene shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She wanted to trust Petrina and agreed she should go. Augustus was home, and a life with him was all she would ever need.
Petrina gripped Selene’s head and brought their foreheads together. “Listen to me. This place… It isn’t going anywhere. If you must have answers, at least come prepared. Let’s get to the mainland and find help. And later, if Augustus thinks it’s a good idea, return with him. All right?”
Hadn’t that been the plan to begin with? This was her journey with Augustus. Dragging Petrina along against her will wasn’t fair. And she was right—this place wasn’t going anywhere.
Selene released a breath and nodded. “Yes. All right. Let’s go.”
They took their next step as one?—
Wait.
Mother.
Selene paused, palm over the gnarled knot of a tree. If the air could form a fist, it had her by the chest. She could hardly breathe.
“What’s wrong?” Petrina asked.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
“I don’t know. The voices. They— I feel strange.”
Petrina dragged Selene across the treacherous ground, nearly tripping every few seconds over one of the many roots.
“Eva!”
Selene spun at the man’s voice, recognition stealing through her. Her legs felt torn between running and rooting all at once. And that name… It reverberated through her ribs and spine and time itself, a hook.
Petrina scanned the forest with a tight grip on Selene’s wrist.
Wait, the forest wind said.
“Wait,” Selene whispered back.
Petrina stilled.
A man burst through the forest ahead, then came to an abrupt halt upon seeing them. His bare chest heaved on a massive inhale.
“Eva,” he said, and the leaves trembled overhead.
Selene eased forward only a step, almost desperate to follow the ache beneath her ribs, once caged and now trying to get out.
The man was physically striking. His walk fluid. He moved, and every muscle shifted with him beneath his tanned skin. The nearer he drew, the more evident the details. The sharper his features, from his strong jawline to his high cheekbones to the glint in his deep-set eyes.
A faint beard stubbled his face, and his dark brown hair was short and tousled. His mouth, full and slightly curved, lengthened with a smile almost wolfish in nature, though it was also guarded. Careful.
“Don’t come any closer,” Petrina warned.
Selene startled and blinked, and her next breath eased the burning in her lungs.
