“You already were once.” A thought occurs to me, something that’s lingered in the back of my mind since coming here. “Why did you help her on the first new moon after the Blood Moon?”
He doesn’t answer for so long that I end up looking in his direction to make sure he heard. But the moment I see the severe expression on his face I know he did. His brows are furrowed in what looks almost like confusion…as if he doesn’t quite know the answer.
“Because…it was the right thing to do,” he says, finally.
I shift to get a better look at him. This is important to me, I realize. I must know why he did what he did because, if I do, then maybe I can fully trust him without any trace of doubt. I’ll know, unlike Conri, he’s not just pouring honeyed words into my ears. “Even though you were risking everything to do it?”
“I thought I was pretty explicit that my life has meant very little to me over the years.” He doesn’t look at me when he speaks. He continues to stare past the forest. “Once I was on Conri’s leash, little else mattered, even myself.”
“What kept you going?” I dare to ask.
“I…” He dips his chin, staring at the ground. A slight smile curves his mouth. “Someone I loved, or the memory of her, perhaps.”
“The witch?” I dare to seek confirmation of my suspicions. His head jerks in my direction. Eyes wide. I laugh softly. “You’ve made it kind of obvious… You know so much about witches, so you had to be close to one, or had one captive. And I don’t think it was the latter.”
“How can you be so sure? Didn’t I warn you I killed the heart of a witch?”
“I remember.” I shrug. “There are many ways to ‘kill’ a heart. Perhaps you did what you had to do to protect her.”
“I…hope she’d someday see it that way,” he says softly, raising his gaze once more to meet mine.
“I know this might be difficult, and I’m sorry for asking, but do you think you could take me to her? If there are witches in Midscape, I would want to meet them. They might prove valuable allies,” I carefully explain in the hopes that he doesn’t think I’m trying to inflict torture on his poor heart.
“There aren’t any.” His body language shifts, closing off. It makes me wonder if he truly means “kill” in the literal sense. Evander stands. “We should keep going to make the most of our time.”
“Evander—” I stand as well and take his hand to draw his attention back to me. “If this journey will be too hard on you, you don’t have to go.”
He snorts. “You think I’m going to let you go on alone?”
“I’m perfectly capable.” I motion to the field around us, dotted with all manner of wildflower and lupine. “You could have a lovely vacation from all obligation for a few days. Enjoy the sunshine.”
“I am not a man who sits still well.” Evander grins.
“Forgive me for trying to be nice to you.”
He smiles and takes a step forward, resting his forehead on mine. “I appreciate it. But I don’t think anywhere would be ‘hard on me’ if you are at my side. Don’t worry so much, Faelyn. Iknow there is a great deal to accomplish, but you should also try to rest and relax, too. When we return to Conri you will be fighting for your life—and Aurora’s—every second. So breathe easy while you can. Gather your strength.”
I nod as he pulls away. Evander gives me a slight but genuine smile before changing back into his wolf shape. Once more, he places his belly on the ground, I mount, and we’re off again.
We reachthe edge of the woods by the late afternoon. Midscape is larger than I thought—larger than it appears. Even with Evander running as fast as he can, it still took us the better portion of a day to make it to the forest. But the moment we cross underneath the trees, all doubts as to if this venture was worth it or not vanish.
“Evander, stop.” I don’t even wait for him to be fully still before I’m dismounting, jumping off. I quickly cross to the nearest tree and place both hands and my forehead upon it, shutting my eyes. This place hums with ancient energies, like the woods back home. “I greet you, sentries and spirits of this forest. I come as a friend—hopefully an ally. I hope you will welcome my companion and I and aid our path.”
There’s a faint humming in the back of my mind. Like the buzzing of a bee, or the flapping of a small bird’s wings. It’s brief, almost melodic, and ripples under my skin. I straighten with a smile and say, “Thank you.”
“The woods welcome us?” Evander asks, back in his human form.
“Yes, I think so.” I step away from the tree. The earth is soft, carpeted with mosses and small leafy plants that can survive in the wide spaces between the trees; this is not a condensed forest.I reach out a hand and Evander takes it without my having to ask. With his support, I pull off both of my boots and socks, resting them atop my satchel. I wiggle my toes against the lichen. “That’s better.”
“Would you like to lead from here?” Evander offers.
I nod. “I would, if you don’t mind. That way I can focus on sensing any magic.”
“I don’t mind at all. I have a keen sense of direction, so don’t worry for us getting lost.”
“Sometimes…getting lost for a while is the best way to be found.” I start walking, pulled by the beats of my heart, the feeling of the living earth beneath me, the shifting breezes, and the animals that scurry and flit between the trees.
“You’re more right than you know.” Evander falls into step beside me.
