I turned to ask Wilde what he thought we should do, but he stared back at me, pupils still blown wide. He swayed, eyelashes trembling, and then crumpled. I barely had time to catch him before he collapsed.
“What’s the matter with him?” Maximus asked, inching toward us. His expression was a mix of suspicion and begrudging concern.
“Overexertion.” I slipped one of my arms behind Wilde’s knees and picked him up, positioning him so his head rested against my shoulder.
Maximus snorted. “He’s barely done anything the past few days but walk.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I snarled.
Maximus pulled away from me, closing in on himself as if to block a physical blow. I didn’t have the time or patience to soothe his bruised heart.
“Fitz, find us someplace to stay,” I said. “We’re guarding ourselves tonight and I want four solid walls between us and whatever lives in the forest. Angelica, get your fucking sword out and keep it out.”
“Don’t swear at me,” she snapped even as she followed directions.
As we walked, Delilah sidled up next to me and whispered, “Will Wilde be alright?”
“We ran into trouble we couldn’t handle,” I explained, my jaw tightening in frustration. I’d known how much his magic cost him, and I’d pushed him to use it anyway. It’d been the only solution I could think of with the creatures flying overhead, but now I wondered if I could have found some way to chase them off without relying on Wilde’s magic.
Delilah’s brow furrowed. “Why don’t I remember anything this time?”
“It’s a long story. I’m glad you’re up and walking at least.” Or we’d still be stuck out in the open come nightfall.
Fitz found an old house that only had three standing walls, but it would have to do. We set up a rotation for watch, with Maximus volunteering to take first shift. I tucked Wilde into a bedroll and sat by his side.
While everyone else had left the pollen behind in another time, it still held him in a dreamy half-daze. He didn’t quite look at me as he mumbled, “Thank you.”
My brow furrowed. Why was he thanking me? He was the one who saved us. “For what?”
His eyes drifted shut. I thought I wouldn’t get an answer until he said, “Everything.”
Chapter Thirty-Four: Wilde
The Middle of the Night
A Crumbling House in the Middle of the Forest
Waking Up from a Long Series of Strange Dreams
I opened my eyes to find Trey sleeping beside me. I’d been bundled up into a bedroll while he spread out on top of it, effectively sealing me inside. My memories were a hazy mix of dream and reality. I remembered two kisses, one tasting like blood and one of apples. The second was sweet enough to turn my stomach.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping,” Trey whispered, peeling one eye open.
“I’m afraid if I close my eyes again, you’ll disappear when I wake up.” The moment I spoke, I wanted to bite the words back and swallow them down, digest them until they stopped being true.
Trey swept a lock of hair behind my ear, fingertips brushing against my neck in a lingering touch. “I’ll stay if you stay.”
Did he expect me to teleport away again, run off in a panic when I realized things hadn’t gone as planned? Or did he know that I’d leave soon to take my part at center stage and begin the final act? “Where are we?”
“A few miles from Traumstead. Fitz says we’ll reach the Lord of Grimnight’s lair tomorrow.” He paused and corrected, “Today, I guess, since it’s definitely after midnight.”
Which meant I should leave. Now, before the others awoke. “I’m sorry,” I said, then teleported away.
Except Treasure came with me. He arched an eyebrow and showed me his wrist. “Going somewhere?”
I stared in horror at the chain linking us. The heat of my body had warmed the metal and I’d been so wrapped up in layers I hadn’t noticed it.
Thank the gods I’d teleported into my bedroom and not the throne room. I could still salvage this situation. All I had to do was unlock the cuffs and take him back. The round trip would be tiring but it’d be better than him learning that I was now the Lord of Grimnight he was trying to defeat.
