“Are you strong enough to do that?” Alaric studied me.
I nodded.
“Okay. Good. Wolfe, I’m sorry about Elariya. I?—”
“I know. Let’s just leave that conversation here.” I glanced at each of them. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“That’s not something you have to thank us for.”
“Yes, I do.” My Bloodsworn were more than just dutybound. They cared. I also knew they had my best interest at heart. But I needed some time to think. “I’d like to be alone now.”
“Give us a shout if you need anything,” Bastian offered, pushing to his feet.
“Sure.”
They left, and I settled back against the pillows.
I gazed up at the ceiling feeling…
Weak.
Fuck. I hated that word. Hated the reality of it even more.
I’d survived wars.
I’d walked through death itself.
But none of that mattered.
Nothing had ever mattered more to me than Elariya Grayson.
Chapter 15
Elariya
“The Shape of Memory”
Arielle was still asleep. I slipped off the bed, careful not to wake her, and tugged on my shoes.
Outside, the twin suns were steadily rising. I stood there a moment, watching them.
Last night, I’d considered that maybe they both went down at ‘night’, and the moon simply slipped into place as if it had been waiting its turn.
One thing was certain: this realm didn’t follow the rules I knew. It pretended to, but it felt like an imitation. Like something wearing the shape of a world.
And that was the least of my worries. Today was the start of our third day here.
With the fruitless attempts to figure out a way back, I was beginning to wonder if there was any point in hoping we’d leave.
Thayden would be back soon.
If I wasn’t there when he returned… I didn’t want to think about what would happen to my family.
I could already picture it. He’d assume they’d smuggled me out because he’d discovered I had powers and that they wereplotting against him. Then he’d make an example of someone. Most likely my grandmother.
My family would never tell him I’d gone to the magical realm. They’d keep that secret even if it meant death. And that was exactly what worried me.
I released the breath burning my lungs and looked away from the window.
