“Arisanna!” he cries, though he doesn’t really expect her to answer.
And he keeps running.
AsArisannasitsonthe train, a soothing sensation fills her chest, drawing Cerian’s heart rate back to normal and pulling hers along with it. Is he doing that? Reaching out to her through their heartbinding?
It’s a comforting thought, especially since it means he must be safe, wherever he is. And he’s thinking about her, reaching out to her.
While she hides on the train.
She didn’t even try to find him. What’s wrong with her?
Once again, her words about following him haunt her.
She definitely didn’t follow him. She was too busy being terrified.
And now she’s alone.
It’s not too late, is it? She could still follow him.
Mustering her courage, she approaches the door again.
It just looks like their forest lake. It’s fine.
She gazes over the familiar scene as she clutches the train.
It’s not nearly as comforting as clinging to Cerian.
Her heart races as she contemplates leaving the train. He must sense it. What is he thinking? Is he worried about her? Is he all right?
She’ll never find out if she stays here.
Images of him standing at the door of their honeymoon suite fill her. If he can be brave when he’s afraid, so can she.
“I’d follow you anywhere, Cerian Westaria.”
Her hand trembles as she loosens her hold on the train.
“Please be there,” she whispers.
His heart pitches into its own frenzy to match hers, making her freeze in the doorway. Is he all right? Why didn’t she follow him right away?
Before she can talk herself out of it again, she takes one step and another until her foot hovers midway between the last stair and the forest floor.
Then she steps off the train.
Instead of the soft soil she expected, she lands in a sad patch of wilted, decaying daisies she can only see in flashes of lightning. When she looks up, terror fills her as thunder makes her jump, and more lightning illuminates jagged, crooked, broken limbs looming overhead.
This isn’t their forest. It’s dark and evil, and she flails for the train, but it’s gone.
And so is Cerian.
She struggles to breathe as panic seizes her. A scream lodges in her throat, but she can’t seem to make a sound, even to call his name.
He’s here. Somewhere. She can sense him, like a tightness in her chest. And his own heart is racing, but she can barely feel it over the blood pounding in her ears and through her veins.
Wind rustles through the trees behind her, and she spins, a chill racing down her spine. There’s nothing but more terrifying trees in every direction, and she sinks onto the patch of daisies, hugging her knees to her chest.
Why did she get off the train?
