Vaelric stopped, turning to look at her, his dark, swirling eyes fixed on hers. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Vaelric… would you like to go for another walk with me? Maybe tomorrow night? I can meet you here?”
Her voice carried a hint of desperation, one she tried and failed to mask. Vaelric caught it, and a small smirk curved his lips. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be here at dusk.”
And with that, he disappeared into the night.
Chapter 48
Dangerous Paths
Back in her room, Riona bathed and stared at the ceiling for hours. Sleep eluded her as her thoughts turned endlessly to Vaelric, then to the book. The book tugged at her, its pull an incessant whisper she couldn’t ignore. Curiosity clawed at her, overwhelming and unsatisfied. Covered in sweat and restless, she finally gave in. Rising from the bed, she retrieved the book from where it lay hidden between the mattress and sat back down. She hesitated, the weight of what she was about to do pressing against her chest, but then flipped it open. Her eyes scanned the first paragraph, the ink on the page seeming almost alive:
“Power is never truly given, it is taken, forged in fire, and in blood. Those who seek its embrace must first offer a piece of themselves. A price as unyielding as the magic they wish to command. Sacrifice is the bridgebetween the mortal and the infinite. The key to unlocking doors that were never meant to be opened. Yet, beware: the deeper one treads into the currents of power, the more the tides demand. In the end, all who linger too long are swept away.”
A shiver ran through her as she read the words.
The feelings of hopelessness, weakness, and bitterness she carried for so long rose to the surface, she wanted to rid herself of them and so she read on.
Another passage struck a chord, the words ringing so true they seemed to call her forward:“What is pain but proof of what you are capable of surviving? If you dare to endure, you can master it. Every price has its purpose.
Every wound births wisdom.
The words sank into her, resonating with a part of her she had tried to bury. Here, within these pages, were the answers she craved. Answers that promised she could be more, that she could finally silence the things that haunted her. She read through the night, her determination pushing her past the heaviness that weighed on her eyelids. Sleepbegged for her attention, but she ignored it, consumed by the words on the pages. She devoured the book, committing lines and fragments to memory as though they might someday save her. The quiet sounds of a waking town filtered in from outside, marking the arrival of morning. Riona blinked at the soft light spilling through the window and finally conceded to her exhaustion.
She lay down, her mind still swirling with everything she’d read, and let herself drift into an uneasy sleep. When she woke in the late afternoon, the sunlight streaming in had softened to a golden haze. Her stomach growled in protest, and she realized she hadn’t eaten since the day before.
Reluctantly, she left her room and made her way to the inn’s dining hall. Grabbing something quick to eat, she hurried back upstairs, eager to return to the book. The hours slipped by unnoticed as she read, her fingers turning the pages faster with each revelation. She barely registered the sun starting to set outside, her thoughts preoccupied with the book. She’d almost forgotten she asked Vaelric tomeet her tonight. Snapping the book shut, she carefully placed it back in its hiding spot between the mattress and the frame. With a glance over at the dimming sky, she hurried to the forest’s edge.
Vaelric was leaning casually against a tree, cleaning his nails with a small dagger, when Riona arrived. The sunlight caught his face, accentuating his striking features. If anything, he looked even more handsome in the golden glow, though her eyes were drawn to a peculiar scar that ran along the side of his face, almost like a birthmark. It didn’t detract from his beauty; instead it added a layer of mystery. Was it something he was born with, or had he earned it in some way? And if the latter, how so?
She shook the thoughts away and managed a smile. “I’m sorry I’m late. I got caught up in something.”
Vaelric nodded, slipping the dagger into his belt as his eyes lingered on her. “There’s something different about you today…” he said, his voice trailing off, thoughtful and almost searching.
Riona stiffened slightly under his gaze, a flicker of unease creeping in. Had the book already left its mark on her in some way? The thought gnawed at her as Vaelric’s eyes narrowed, studying her like a puzzle he was determined to solve.
She quickly tried to respond, her voice a bit rushed. “I didn’t sleep much. But I’m glad you came. I could use the company, honestly.”
Vaelric nodded, his expression softening. “I get it.
And I’m happy to see you not dancing near a cliff.” He smirked, but Riona flinched at the memory.
The thought of how close she had been to the edge, both physically and emotionally, sent a cold shiver through her. It felt like that person wasn’t her anymore. As if she’d been someone else entirely in that moment. If he hadn’t shown up, what would have happened?
Vaelric seemed to notice the flicker of pain in her eyes and quickly changed the subject.
“Hey, listen, let’s go for that walk, huh? You lead the way.”
Riona pushed the thoughts away, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, let’s head to the overlook. It’s beautiful at sunset.”
The two of them walked through the woods, the air cool and tinged with the earthy scent of fallen leaves. The shadows danced across the forest floor, illuminated by the shimmers of crimson and orange hues cast by the setting sun. Riona took it all in, letting the warmth of the sun seep into her skin before it faded into night.
When they reached the overlook, the view took her breath away. From here, the spires of Frostfire rose high above the town below, everything bathed in the golden and amber hues of twilight. She sank to the ground, settling beside Vaelric. It wasn’t an uncomfortable quiet; far from it. It was the kind of silence that felt welcoming, a shared moment of peace as they watched the sun dip below the horizon. Vaelric reached for Riona’s hand, his touch warm despite the chill in the air. He didn’t hold it, just rested his hand gently over hers and looked at her.
“Real power comes from rising above the things that try to destroy you,” he said quietly. “It seems you’ve chosen to take control of whatever was haunting you.”
He pulled his hand back, his gaze shifting to the horizon where the sun was disappearing behind the town. Riona didn’t respond right away, her eyes fixed on the growing night sky. A blanket of stars slowly emerged above them, and the moon rose steadily into its full glow, casting a soft silver light over the landscape.
She finally turned to him.
