As for Wolfe…
I wasn’t sure what to think about him. We both needed to find the ring to break free of our curses, but to find it, I had to learn to harness my time magic. I couldn’t do that in the mortal lands.
So, where did that leave me? Where did that leave him?
I didn’t need anyone to tell me that being trapped in a curse for the rest of your life could never be good. I couldn’t imagine what my life would become if I stayed this way forever.
And Wolfe…
It had looked as though his curse would consume him when he transformed into that deathlike creature. I couldn’t imagine him returning to his former self. When he did, I wondered what he must have felt.
What was it like to know the monster lived inside him?
Was he fighting hard to hold it back?
I’d been searching for some kind of compromise, something that could bridge the problem between us. And had found nothing.
I wasn’t surprised because realistically, our focus should be on finding the ring. And finding my father. Not all this other shit caused by Thayden.
Gods, I was eager to return to my family, but I wasn’t just going back to them. I was going back to Thayden, the man who had driven a sword through Wolfe’s heart.
There was no way Wolfe was going to let that slide.
He hadn’t spoken about it. Yesterday, he’d been resting, and the entire journey I hadn’t seen him.
Maybe once we reached Galaythia, we’d talk.
Light footsteps crossed the deck. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Arielle approaching. Her white-blonde hair caught the oncoming sun, and when she smiled, her eyes sparkled.
“You’re up early.” She glanced ahead at the horizon.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Me neither. I could sense we’re nearly back.” She stretched her hands out on either side and wiggled her fingers.
I lifted my brows, studying her. “How can you tell?”
“The air is different.” Her smile softened. “The heaviness is lifting. And if you focus hard enough, you can just about feel the wind.”
I couldn’t feel any difference. And I doubted I’d be able to sense the wind at all. I was too troubled to focus.
“Kaem said when we cross over, it will almost be like going through the Veil. There’ll be a magical barrier separating the realms.”
“That will be interesting. And a little scary,considering what we’ve been through.” I raised my brows. “I don’t know how many more experiences I can handle.”
“This should be a good one.”
“I sure hope so.”
Arielle moved closer and looked me over. “You okay otherwise? I know this is the million and tenth time I’ve asked, but I want to make sure.”
I pulled my shawl tighter and swallowed hard. “I guess I’m as good as I can be. Solve one problem and another appears, right? We found Wolfe, but it feels like that was just the beginning.”
Arielle clutched the rail and let out a slow sigh, her hair drifting over her shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, too.” She looked ahead briefly then returned her gaze to me. “I’m sure we all are.”
“Have you spoken to Wolfe?”
Arielle shook her head. “Have you?”
