“Judging on how I feel, almost a day. But I honestly have no idea. Worse, I haven’t the faintest idea where in the court we are.”
“I don’t know how much time we have together,” he said, and the shift in tone put me on edge. “Describe our surroundings. We have to get out of the Autumn Court as soon as possible.”
“What the hells do you think I’ve been trying to do?” I snapped.
The outburst was proof of how tightly wound I was.
He offered me a small smile.
Rubbing my face, I let out a long sigh before dropping my hands. Softening, I said, “I’m sorry. It’s just been a lot.”
“Gods, I wish I could hold you right now,” he said with a look that bordered desperation.
“Me too.”
Refusing to dwell on the fact that we were so close, yet impossibly far. Trying to answer his question, I focused on our waking reality, and sent a silent prayer to Lady Time that she’d keep us protected as we both lay there helpless.
As I mined my memory for details of our surroundings, images flickered around us as if my thoughtswere being projected.
Endymion’s eyes went as wide as mine with fascination.
Finally, everything snapped into view as we saw through my eyes, andof coursethe moment it decided to focus was when I’d tripped over the root. I watched his expression, waiting for him to laugh.
He didn’t. Instead, his jaw worked as he chewed on his thoughts—his very displeased thoughts.
“What is it?” I asked, not sure I wanted the answer.
With an effort to hold emotions at bay as he said, “That’s the Bloodwood Forest.”
I scoffed, because of course that fucken court had a forest named Bloodwood. Gods forbid they call it Ruby Forest or something utterly innocuous.
Ignoring my indignation, he continued. “The way you carried me is clever, but Nyla, that forest is only two hours by foot from the palace.”
“No, it’s not,” I said firmly.
He nodded, his face grim. “Something is wrong. With you,” he added, my chest suddenly heavy. “I don’t know if you’re being affected by time in a strange way, or if it has something to do with whatever is happening to me; but even with you shouldering my weight, your powers should be keeping your body in a better state than you’re in. You’re weak, hungry, and exhausted. Something is wrong.” He repeated the last words as if confirming it to himself more than me, and it did nothing to assuage my fears.
Until then, I would’ve sworn on my life that nearly a day had passed. But he was born in this court. Grew up in it. Was its commander. He knew it like I knew my way around the Nettorian Mountains. My instinct was to fight him on this—to insist I was right—but the fear of being recaptured by Wymond was greater than my pride, so I nodded before saying, “What do I do?”
“You need to valen us to the border.”
“But I?—”
“Nyla, please,” he cut me off, his words hurried as he lookedaround us like he could see something I couldn’t. A sudden panic filled me. I didn’t want to leave him. “Have you been to the Autumn-Summer boarder?” he rushed out.
“Once, when I found Tarrin.”
His brows knit as he tucked that revelation away before pressing on. “Picture it in your mind’s eye as best you can. Remember the smell. The detail. Anything you can. Pretend as if you’re already there.”
“But I was focused on Tarrin,” I said.
“You don—” His words were cut out as he flickered. “Make sure—” Again, he faded, then reappeared.
“Endymion!” I called and went for him, barely remembering about the barrier before I stopped myself.
“Don’t go by foot. You must?—”
He vanished.
