Page 100 of Wraithwound

“I thought you might enjoy coming here.”

“It’s incredible, I—thank you,” she said.

Cross simply nodded and reached for the bag he’d been carrying. He pulled a woolen blanket and placed it on the ground along with two small bags.

Leaving her cloak on the ground where it lay, Lena walked over to the blanket and heard the soft rush of water. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked, stunned.

“Yes,” he said smirking.

Lena peeked over the ledge to see a large river flowing peacefully far below the ledge they stood on. “What is this place?”

“I’m not sure, but I think we’re standing inside the structure that is the plateau.”

It made sense, Lena supposed, because there were no mountains in the area.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, and she turned to see he’d set out a picnic for them.

Lena’s heart squeezed as she walked over, the opalsilk shining softly as it moved with each step she took. He watched, drinking her in as she approached and settled on the blanket.

The simple spread included a variety of soft and hard cheeses, meats, crusty bread, and a deep crimson spread of some sort, accompanied by a glass bottle that held a tawny liquid. Lena was just about to ask him what it was when she heard the soft woosh of flame behind her.

Cross stood beside a lit torch that hung by the wall near the exit. That must be a part of his “other precautions.” Good.

After making sure the torch held a steady flame, he came to sit on the opposite side of the blanket. Her heart stuttered with his nearness, and yet she wished he were closer. Lena leaned back onto her hands, taking in the crystals that sparkled brilliantly through the darkness and dared to glow in spite of it.

“It’s amazing that such beauty can exist amidst so much suffering. That bravery can prevail over fear. I hope I can embody that spirit of bravery when I enter the Tower,” she said.

“You will,” Cross replied. “Of that I have no doubt.”

“They were all so brave,” she said. “My grandfather gave his life to save one of his patients. A young girl. He was murdered for it when the village turned on him thinking he was hiding a wraith. My mother disappeared in Dovia doing the same, and Henry, he . . . gave his life for mine.”

And it was only in the crystal illuminated darkness that she could say the words out loud. They seemed to hang there in the air in front of her for a long moment until they drifted away, taking the shame she felt with them. When Cross didn’t answer, she dared to look at him, but there was no judgement on his face. Only thoughtful consideration.

“I didn’t know your brother, but from the way you describe him, he was intelligent and capable. He believed in you. I don’t know that anyone else would save their sworn enemy. Twice. Or wander into the trees after dark on the plains. Or be so cavalier with the red vial. Trust that you embody those qualities too, especially the bravery.”

“It’s easy to be brave when you have nothing to lose,” Lena said.

“But you did have something to lose,” he said, something like hurt in his eyes.

Lena could only nod as she swallowed the emotion that clogged her throat. After a moment, she found her voice again.

“It’s true. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have chosen to wear this dress tonight,” she said, wiggling a little to disturb the glow of the fabric.

Cross tried but couldn’t hide his smirk as he reached for one of the small plates he’d brought.

They ate in silence as they gazed at the crystals and listened to the soft rush of the river below. Lena was delighted to learn that the fruit spread was sweetened winterberry jam and the tawny liquid, citrine nectar, a sweet and tangy drink that paired well with the flavors of the selected meats and cheeses.

Beyond the awe-inspiring view above them, she was also struck by the fact that a fully turned wraith and a soulbound soldier willingly sat and shared a meal together. But more than that, she was stunned at her willingness to be vulnerable. To share her secrets and shame with Cross, the man who hadn’t abandoned her, even when she’d tried to abandon herself.

“Thank you for this. For bringing me here. This thing inside me will eventually take over. Rob me of my will. I don’t know how many more nights I’ll get to enjoy as myself, but if this is one of my last, I’m happy to have spent it here with you.” Lena stared out at the crystals before her, hardly able to contain the overwhelming sadness that crept in.

Cross didn’t answer for a long while, and she was okay to sit with him, grateful for her ability to feel so deeply.

“Soulbounds aren’t all that different from wraiths in that regard. Once we are bound, our will is limited,” he said, staring off into the distance.

It made sense. Once he swore his oath, he had to serve to keep his niece alive. She had wondered why Cross had stayed. Why he hadn’t made a move to kill her after she’d ceased being his dutybound. And then it clicked. He had told her in the cave with the bubbling spring that he only killed those who would bring more misery upon the world, exercising his will where he could. It was likely he was trying to give her time. An opportunity to figure things out as long as she remained in control. But things had changed. Now, she was going to the Tower. Once she entered the gate, she wouldn’t be a threat to Reimar any longer. It was likely why he’d agreed to accompany her. He would simultaneously be honoring his word and his oath.

She looked at him then and took in the sadness on his face. Sadness that mirrored her own. They were both bound by circumstances beyond their control. Cross’s life had changed forever when his niece fell ill, and Lena’s the minute she received a wraithwound. He was right. They weren’t so different after all. In this moment, she knew Cross truly saw her.