The very idea was surreal, but it prompted Viri to pull the map out again as they passed the last of the white mausoleums and approached a set of rusted iron gates similar to those that had led up to the cathedral—a flimsy barrier between the necropolis and the deadly wood beyond.
“You said this map would show us the quickest route to the Guardian.” Viri paused briefly to inspect the moving line, tracingher finger along it all the way up to Nevarnost Tower. “But this still looks like it’s going to take us days of walking. With the head start Braedan has, there’s no way we’ll—”
“I have a theory,” Reeve interrupted before she could startspiraling about how little time they had left. “I won’t know for sure until we step into the Mistwood, though.”
“What do you mean?”
Reeve didn’t answer, just pushed open the rusted gates and gestured for her to precede him into the thick trees. There was no sign of the blackmist, but Viri knew it wouldn’t be far away once they left the protection of the wards.
“You first,” she said, eyeing her onyx ring warily and not wanting to admit just how nervous she was about having to rely on its ancient magic to keep her safe.
Sensing her misgivings, Reeve didn’t argue. “Keep close,” he said, leading the way forward. “Your talisman hasn’t been used for years—the magic might have weakened in that time.”
Viri’s heart skipped a beat. “And if it has?”
“The three hunters in the legend only had one ring between them, so I assume as long as you stay in range of mine”—Reeve tapped his silver-runed band—“then you’ll be fine.”
“How far is its range?” Viri asked, following him through the gates and deeper into the forest.
Pointedly, Reeve said, “Let’s not find out.”
Viri shuddered and moved close enough for their arms to brush as they walked, unwilling to risk any distance between them. She indicated the map folded in her hand. “All right, we’re in the Mistwood—what’s your theory?”
Reeve’s eyes were fixed on something up ahead. “We’re not quite in it yet, but we will be in a moment.”
Viri followed his gaze and inhaled sharply at the shadowy vapor appearing out of nowhere, saturating the forest like a dark cloud that floated between the trees and drifted lazily up through the canopy. Every survival instinct within her screamed at her torun back to the safety of the wards, but she fought the urge and stayed by Reeve’s side, striding ever closer to the deadly blackmist.
When they were only feet away, Viri couldn’t stop herself from grabbing his hand, clutching tight enough to bruise. “I swear, Reeve, if you’re wrong about our talismans…” Anxiety clogged her throat, strangling the rest of her words.
He glanced sideways at her, clearly amused. “I thought we got past your trust issues when you threw yourself at me.”
Indignation flooded Viri. “I didn’tthrowmyself at—”
“I mean, I’m not surprised it happened,” Reeve went on. “The first thing you did when you saw me in the Underlock last week was undress me with your eyes—”
Her face heated. “I didnot—”
“—and you’ve obviously been thinking about me constantly since then—”
“I mostcertainlyhave not—”
“—so it was only a matter of time before you caved to your desires.” He winked. “Not that I’m complaining. Feel free to do so again, anytime.”
Viri couldn’tbelievehim. “I—You—” She cut herself off when she suddenly became aware of her surroundings, realizing they’d passed into the mist without her noticing. It hovered all around them, and yet they remained safe, protected by an invisible shield, almost as if they were walking inside a bubble.
Slowly, Viri turned back to Reeve, only to find a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
“You’re welcome,” he said simply.
Half of Viri wanted to yank the ring from his finger and shove him into the mist, while the other half wanted to hug him for distracting her from her fears long enough that they were nolonger valid. She settled for doing neither and just repeated her earlier question. “Your theory about the map?”
Reeve chuckled at her clear attempt to ignore what had just happened, but he went along with it and answered, “Open it up again. If I’m right, the path will have changed drastically.”
Viri hesitated, knowing she would need both hands to follow his instructions, but unsure whether the magical barrier would hold if she let him go, especially if it was his ring that they were solely relying on for protection.
Seeing her trepidation, Reeve’s expression gentled into something Viri refused to identify, his voice soft as he said, “Do you really think I’d let anything happen to you? You’re safe with me, Little Shadow. Always.”
Viri’s legs wobbled at the promise in his words, and then wobbled even more when he carefully but purposefully untangled their fingers. Her pulse skittered with alarm, but the mist remained out of reach, the protective shield provided by their talismans continuing to keep them both safe.
