“Yes,” I breathed. I should’ve pushed his hands away. Should’ve shoved him away from me and swam up to the surface, but for some reason, my heart was fluttering like it wanted me to stay. “I drowned, I think. And now you’re talking to me. But I don’t know who I am. And I’m so confused. And—”
“You don’t know who you are?” His tone turneddeadly. “What do you mean, ‘you don’t know’?” He paused, swallowing. “Naria, tell me you know who I am?”
“I’m sorry I…”
Something shattered in his gaze. “You don’t remember me?” He ran his fingers through his hair, breath quickening. “I’m going to kill him.” Clasping my face with his hands, his eyes scoured mine. “I’m going to come over there. Find you. Make sure you’re safe, and then kill that bastard like I should’ve done on our wedding night.”
“Our wedding night?” My voice cracked. “We’re married?”
“Damn it.” He tipped his head forward until our foreheads touched. “I love you, Naria,” he rasped. “If you don’t remember me then please remember that.Please.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, though I wasn’t certain why. “I’m so sorry, but I really don’t know who you are.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said, pulling back slightly. “Just know that I’m coming for you. Like I said, my aunt is teaching me things. Things I should’ve learnt a long time ago. I just need a little more time.” His breath was ragged. “But know that I am trying so hard for you.” He drew closer, cupping my jaw. “So, so hard.”
A shadow passed over the both of us, and I flinched, glancing up.
“What is it?” he breathed.
“He’s here,” I squeaked. A dark figure wavered around the edge of the pool. “It’s Arenn. He’s found me.” I drew back with a shudder.
“Damn him,” the stranger snarled. “I won’t let him hurt you, Naria. I’m coming for you. I just need to be ableto summon my—” His breath caught as I could’ve sworn something rumbled in the water. “Dragon…” His voice trailed off.
I jerked my hand up. “Something just brushed my hand.”
“Yes.” The man swallowed, looking past me. “I can’t believe it. I did it,” he laughed, but then his gaze crashed into mine, and his tone soothed all the nerves in my stomach. “I’m coming for you, Naria. Just stay safe for me. I won’t let him hurt you ever again.” Another rumble sounded, this time more like an animal’s deep purr, but when I turned, I only saw Arenn diving towards me and reaching for my hand.
“Wait,” I yelled, slipping out of his grasp. But when I looked back, the stranger was gone, and the water felt oddly empty.
Arenn threw his arms around my waist, hauling me out of the pool. The moment we broke the surface, he was upon me like a wildfire.
“What in the underrealm was that?” he snarled. “I saw someone in the water with you.”
“I don’t know.” My gown dripped against the stone as I crawled out of the pool. “It must’ve been the smoke. It just pulled me in there.”
Arenn’s gaze darkened before he huffed and sat beside me on the floor of the cave. “The smoke sent me outside. When the spell finally faded, I was on a path to Dalking.”
“Oh,” I breathed, flopping down to sit, too.
“I could murder my mother for this.” He scowled. “She must’ve not followed the recipe.”
“Maybe…” I tried not to think of the way my heart hadfluttered in the pool just minutes ago.He said he loved me.Why did that seem so important?
“Well, I suppose there’s still a party for us to enjoy. Come, human.” Rising to his feet, he extended out a hand. And I took it, my confused heart still fluttering.
CHAPTER 43
NARIA
The sound of water falling against the cave’s crystal floor matched the frantic pounding of my heart. Steadying my breath, I leaned against the cold rock wall. A puffy wedding gown clung to my skin, the stiff fabric leaving marks around my neck and shoulders. I wanted nothing more than to tear the awful thing off, but at the same time, the thought of having to take it off made my body itch even more – especially consideringwhowould be peeling it from my skin tonight.
“Are you ready?” Lyssandra asked, patting my shoulder. Her long colourful hair had been pinned up in an elaborate bun, similar to mine, while a forest green bridesmaid gownswung around her knees.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” I said plainly. Beyond this small cave was another, much larger chamber with a huge crashing waterfall and a river running down one side. It’d looked breathtaking a few days ago when Lyssandra had shown it to us as a potential wedding venue. Thousands of blush pink crystals sang from the walls while splashes of amethyst lit up the river, giving it a soft lilac glow.
It’d felt like walking through a dream. But now, that dreamlike chamber was filled with hundreds of whispering faeries. Faeries eager to watch a wedding ceremony between me and a prince I had no feelings for.
“The music’s starting.” Lyssandra jerked her head towards the sound. Smooth strings music waltzed through the walkway leading to the chamber. Instinctively, I backed away.
