Taryn’s hand grazed hers as she took the rock, sending a jolt of electricity down her arm. Airess nodded, unable to conjure the energy to reply. She shook the feeling off, not wanting to get lost in what his touch made her feel. They worked together and pounded the chains with the rocks until they finally shattered.
When that was done, she glanced down at her own clothing. Horror coursed through her as she took in the splatters of blood inked into the fabric of her dress.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Taryn said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks reddened. “I sort of cleaned all the blood off of your face. It was the least I could do after… compelling you.”
Airess examined a tendril of her hair, the white strands now crimson as if they were dipped in paint. She tried her best to calm her beating heart as she looked up at him. “Thank you. I—I appreciate it.”
A silence fell between them. Taryn shifted on his feet, disappointment flashing in his eyes as he spoke. “I suppose this is where we part ways—”
“Let me come with you,” Airess blurted, surprising herself. Desperation boosted her confidence, the realization that she was about to truly be alone in this world fueling her words. If what Ima said was the truth, and The Obadiah was waiting for the both of them, could there be more to Taryn than meets the eye?
“I’m sorry?”
“Let me come with you,” she repeated. Airess shifted on her feet, as if she were going to lose her boldness if she didn’t say more.
“You’re leaving the country and—well, so am I. We both have the same goals. It would be an awfully long trek to the south alone.”
Taryn raised a brow in question. “You’retraveling to Rune?” he asked incredulously.
“Do you have anyotherideas where to flee?” she asked rhetorically. Taryn folded his arms and frowned at her. Her smile fell.
“Please, let me travel with you. If—when—we make it, we can go our separate ways, pretend like we never even met and leave this country behind us.”
His heavy gaze penetrated into her, searching her face. Airess bit the inside of her cheek, on edge while waiting for his response.
“You do realize it's a month or so long journey to the south, don’t you? And then anentireocean to cross. It’s not necessarily a suitable journey for a Lady.”
“If you haven’t noticed,” Airess said, gesturing to her soiled dress. “I am no longer aLady. Please, Taryn. I have nowhere else to go.”
She no longer had the energy to appear strong and determined. Airess tried to ignore the feeling of dried blood caked onto her face, nails, and skin. Her garments were soiled. She was fighting to remain calm, to refrain from shaking.
She was a mess, physically and mentally.
Taryn took a deep breath in. His eyes roamed down her figure, not sexually, but as if seeing her clearly for the first time. He nodded slightly before his face drew into a smug grin. “Alright,Haeleth. You want to travel withme? Stay close, don’t get caught, and when the time comes, run like hell.”
“Run like hell?”
Mischief glinted in his eyes. “You’ll see.”
Chapter 13
It is said when Death became bored, she created a Godling, borrowing a body from another realm. She Touched him, and the rest was history.
— The Book of Tevye
Airess
Airess sat on the forest floor, her back against a tree as she waited for Taryn to return. She hummed to herself as she picked her nails until the hooting of an owl from above caught her attention.
Airess looked up. Above her, perched on a branch, was the same ivory owl from the castle. Airess sat up straight, eyebrows raised, as she met its milky-colored eyes. It cocked its head to the side, watching her. Airess stood up slowly, careful to not make any sudden movements. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but she reached her hands out toward it—
The crunching of boots approaching scared the bird off. The sound of its wings flapping snapped whatever trance Airess had been in. She snapped her head to the side and watched Taryn come near.
“Where did you get that?” Airess asked, as Taryn returned with two cloaks. He handed one to her, and swung the other around his shoulders, fastening the clip. She did the same, gladly covering her stained dress, folding her hood over her blood-dyed hair. She tried her best to focus on anything but her gruesome appearance as they trekked through the woods for the entire day, careful to avoid the main road.
“In town,” he said simply. “Let’s go.”
She eyed him warily, wondering if he had bought or stolen the clothing.
