She ripped open the door and looked around. A gust of cold air rushed in, stirring the curtains and making my stomach twist. Her face fell as her eyes dropped to the ground. A raven lay there, black feathers glinting faintly, its wings twitching one final time as it died at her feet.
“Well, this can’t be good.”
I moved beside her, my skin prickling with unease. The woods outside were silent. Unnaturally so. No rustle of leaves, no whisper of wind, just an awful stillness that pressed against my chest. My gaze dropped to the bird again and my throat tightened. Something about it felt overwhelming, like it was watching even in death.
My head snapped up again. Instinct screamed that something or someone was out there. I grabbed Farris’ arm, yanking her back hard before slamming the door shut so fast it rattled on its hinges.
“What the hell, Elowyn?” Farris looked at me, startled.
“Do you know what that is?” I pointed to the door, my heart hammering against my ribs. She shook her head. “It’s a hex. If we touch that, we are going to be hurt.”
Farris’ eyes darted toward the door again before she glanced around the room. Her shoulders sagged as she sighed heavily, tension draining from her face but not her posture.
“Maybe it’s time that we leave this place.”
“And go where?” I narrowed my eyes on her, already dreading her answer. My chest ached because Iknewwhat she was going to say. “I’m not going to Abram.”
She sighed, sympathy flickering in her gaze. “But—”
“Farris, we can’t. What if he fell in love with her already? I know what you said, but that is his fated mate.”
“You're right.”
Her gaze softened, her expression melting from concern to quiet sorrow. The weight of my words seemed to anchor in herchest. She swallowed hard, looking like she wanted to argue but knew better.
“I might have a place for us to go, but I have to make sure. I’ll go now and be back in an hour.”
“That’s not a good idea.” I warned her, my voice thinner than I meant it to be. But she smiled anyway, trying to reassure me even though her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
I glanced around me, my skin crawling. Something was off. The air felt heavier, like it was waiting. Watching. My gut screamed that whatever was lurking outside wantedme.
Farris grabbed my hand, her palm warm and grounding against my cold skin. She squeezed once.
“I’ll be alright, Elowyn. You stay here, and I’ll be back soon.”
Before I could protest, she opened the door and slipped into the woods. One heartbeat, two—and she was gone. No sound of footsteps, no rustle of branches. Just empty air where she’d been.
I ran after her, but the woods looked untouched. There was no trail, no hint of movement. It was as if she’d been swallowed whole.
I sighed heavily and ran back into the house, slamming the door behind me and locking it. My hands shook as I twisted the bolt, the metal clinking louder than it should have. I pressed my forehead to the door and tried to steady my breathing.
What was happening to me? Why couldn’t I catch a fucking break?
The kettle clattered faintly as I reached the kitchen, desperate for something to ease this dread building in me. I poured water and set it to boil, clinging to the small sound of bubbling water like it could drown out my fear.
Nyxthra lingered in the corner, her dark, misty form almost blending with the shadows. Her eyes glowed faintly, fixedon the window. She seemed tense—alert.The air around her shimmered, the way it always did when danger crept close.
So it wasn’t just in my head. If Nyxthra was worried, something was coming.
"What is it?" I asked her.
I glanced around the small space and didn’t see anything out of place, yet something in the air felt off. Something evil was here. My chest ached, a sharp pain cutting through it as if someone had just pulled at a thread still tethered to my heart. I tugged at the collar of my dress, exposing the faint shimmer of the broken marriage bond across my skin. The mark was fading, but not fast. Every time I caught a glimpse of it, I was reminded of him. Of Abram. Of what I’d lost.
I turned toward the counter, craving the distraction of routine, of the familiar clink of the teacup, but froze. Philip stood in the living space, hands at his sides, his presence calm but unsettling. My pulse jumped.
“Philip?” I breathed.
He didn’t move right away. His pretty blue eyes watched me as though he’d been waiting for me to notice him, waiting for a reaction I didn’t yet understand.
