She explained it was a Septimus Rune. The Seer had given it to Wolfe.
The sight of the rune meant it was active. It had started to fade when Arielle applied the poultice.
It was highly likely that the rune had kept the sword’s magic from killing Wolfe outright. Even so, he was still on the edge of death when we found him, and we came dangerously close to being too late.
I stared at his face.
Even unconscious, even pale with injury, he still held that devastating beauty.
Sharp cheekbones carved shadows beneath his closed eyes, and his jaw held a stubborn set. The scar that ran from his right cheekbone to his jaw caught the strange dual light filtering through the window. It was a thin, precise line that spoke of violence survived, of battles fought and won.
Looking at him now, I could see exactly why I’d liked him. Wolfe looked like he’d been conjured from a storybook. The kind of man who could undo a woman with nothing but a glance.
It was hard to believe I’d gone from being him prisoner to being in love with him. The whole thing sounded bizarre. Like one of those stories Goodie Herman would come up with. She was the town gossip and a certified outlandish storyteller.
Though I’d recorded details about my feelings changing and all the experiences I had with Wolfe, I never gave specific details ofhowI fell in love with him.
Maybe because it was just something that… happened.
Maybe because there was no formula or step-by step guide to falling in love.
Love just happened. Mother always said you couldn’t help who you loved. Perhaps this was one of those cases.
It was difficult for me to grasp because my mind was an empty vessel held at the mercy of my curse.
That aside, truth was truth. Wolfe had been mine, and I’d been his.
My journal didn’t lie. And even if it had, I’d witnessed it for myself—how he’d protected me, how he’d wrapped me in his wings as if my life mattered more than his own.
Still, I was torn.Conflicted.That hollow space inside me didn’t know what to do with him. My mind didn’t remember him. My body didn’t, either.
The only undeniable thing was the pull I felt in my heart. It was quiet and constant, tugging at my ribs, refusing to let me go.
It had a different feel from the locator spell. That had faded when we arrived here. I no longer sensed that guiding presence. I supposed that was because what I was meant to find was right beside me.
The mission was over. We’d found Wolfe.
I should have been thinking about getting back to the mortal lands, back to my family, back to my life and the problems I still had there with Thayden. But it didn’t feel that simple.
Staring at a man who felt like a stranger and a destiny all at once stirred a war inside my chest.
I didn’t remember loving him. I didn’t remember choosing him. And I wasn’t sure any of that mattered because I had to leave.
As soon as we were able to leave this place and head back to the magical realm, I had to go home.
The glow from Arielle’s hands faded. She straightened and looked across at me.
“How are you doing?” she asked for the millionth time, her gaze sweeping over my face as if she could hear the thoughts circling my mind.
I nodded. “I’m alright.” My throat tightened. “What about him?” I motioned toward Wolfe.
She drew in a slow breath. “He’s holding up. Not quite out of the woods yet, but… better. A lot better.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yeah. The moonflower roots will ease the pain, and the craberry vines will help the wound heal. I’m hoping the guys can find more, and if possible, dragon weed. My magic will heal what’s broken from within and the damaged tissue around his heart.”
My gaze found Wolfe’s face again. “He’s so…strong.”
