“I’ve been hurt too,” he said, his voice timid, his small hand on my own, as Beth held me on the recliner.
When did that boy who unguarded himself for my comfort become a man? How did it come to this? How will I ever get him back?
I need all of my men. And Ash? He challenges me. Burns a fire so bright, just the mere thought of him ignites me. I can’t live without him.
And he’s living imprisoned inside the man that violated me. Could he see?
What if he could see?
The thought pulls me up short. It feels like my mate’s agony is palpable against the miles that stretch between us.
I uncurl myself from my position and, with strength I force myself to possess, I roll onto my back, staring at the barren sky that Anshar drained the life from. He can’t take anything else. I won’t let him.
I won’t give up on you, Ash. I’ll keep my word.
Even if it means facing that monster.
My chest loosens a touch as I allow myself a few moments to just breathe, deep enough to fill my lungs to bursting, as I center my mind.
He locked Ash away. And yes, he raped me.
He’s taken enough. Now, it’s my turn.
I vow to bring back the purity of this world’s air.
I vow to erase all traces of Anshar from this realm.
I fucking vow to get my man back.
I trudge through the seemingly endless distance between myself and the dark castle, the lightning in the sky crackling violently.
Since I collected myself to carry on with renewed determination, the lightning has only become more frequent and feral. Three trees were struck and set on fire.
I continue my trek, laboring to keep my movements going, when a large rock formation appears seemingly out of nowhere to my right, pulling me to a halt at its sudden emergence. I stand and blink stupidly at it, questioning my sanity. When it stays there, I rub my eyes with the back of my dirt-crusted hands, willing my mind to tell me it’s playing tricks.
Nope. Still there.
And for my next trick, I will make tequila appear out of thin air.
The sky lights up and I stare greedily at the rock, waiting for a bottle to appear, but when nothing comes, I sigh.
Worth a shot.
A bright flash flares and every nerve ending in my body alights like it’s on fire, like I’m boiling from within. My body spasms violently, taking every wayward thought with it, as my world darkens.
When I come to, I'm lying on one of the smooth, flat rocks in the formation that appeared out of thin air. I push myself to sit up but the lingering burning sensation draws a groan from me as I drop back down.
"Are you a fucking moron? Why the hell would you be wandering in the dark fae territory without a scrap of protection?"
Whoever this is would get along with Serenity splendidly.
A woman's face appears in my line of sight, shoulder-length, brown locks framing her sharp jawline. Light, untrusting eyes, with a hint of concern, stare down at me. Her brow furrows as she examines me, her lips pursed.
I wiggle my clenched jaw from side to side, trying to loosen it enough to get a word out but apparently, I’m not quick enough for her liking. She snaps her fingers in front of my face, causing me to flinch. I try to strain away from the proximity of her hand but my body refuses to cooperate.
The corners of her lips turn down. "So, you can hear me but you’d rather ignore me. Wonderful. This is what I get for sticking my neck out to save you." She shakes her head. "I should’ve left you to your own demise but you look like someone I once knew."
She backs away from me, her feet shuffling away.
Forcing my mouth open, despite the shooting pain, I rasp out, "Wait."
The footsteps halt.
With more willpower than I knew I possessed, I turn my head her way, just as she turns back around to face me.
I take in her full appearance. She's wearing what appears to be a thin, black, full-body armor, though it looks butter soft. That can’t be right. Soft armor?
She rolls her eyes and huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why are you out here?”
I read her eyes, searching for any hint of malice, but find nothing there other than distrust and a touch of intrigue. Bracing myself for the stupidest thing that I will ever do—and that’s saying something—I clear my throat before saying, “I am ... Oslana.” That did not come out as the shocking declaration I thought it would. Oh well, I’ve committed to this. “I’ve returned to fix the balance in the realm and retrieve my mate from the dark fae.”
Her oval eyes narrow. “I don’t know who you really are but if you knew anything of this land, you would know that Oslana died. Forty years ago.”
I struggle to sit up because I’m really not speaking from a position of authority with my back on the ground. She rushes towards me, her hands at my back, helping me into a sitting position.
Turning my head, I lock eyes with her. “Yes,” I say, my voice calm and sure, though still gravelly. “I died forty years ago but I was reincarnated for a chance to save this realm.”
She gasps and retracts her hands from me like I’m covered in shit.
I chuckle to myself. “Trust me, I know how absolutely batshit crazy this sounds. It took a while for me to believe Gaia and swallow that pill myself.”
She steps back a few feet, disbelief clear on her face. “Prove it. Oslana had unimaginable power.”
Grimacing, a hiss escapes from between my teeth. I look down at the hole in my leather pants that melted onto my skin from where the lightning struck me. My leathers were supposed to be impervious to magic, according to Serenity, but it seems dark magic is the exception to the rule.
I scoff in disbelief. “I just got struck by fucking lightning and you want me to put on a show for you?”
She crosses her arms over her chest again, raising an eyebrow in a challenge.
Maybe people are constantly struck by lightning here and it’s just not a big fucking deal? Toto, I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore.
Rolling my eyes, I lift my palms up and close my eyes to center my thoughts. Searching for my silver strands of power, I sing to myself, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
A small laugh escapes the stranger but I ignore her, focusing on my well of power. Which appears to be bone-fucking-dry.
Great. Right when I need to prove myself.
I crack open one eyelid and cringe at the look of utter disappointment on her face.
She wants me to be Oslana. She just won’t admit it. Odd.
She shakes her head and audibly sighs, turning away again. “Parting advice: stop walking towards the dark fae castle. Walk the other way. Very, very quickly.”
Clenching my hands as she waves goodbye over her shoulder, I feel my temper rising. She has to believe me. I have to prove myself.
I can’t let this opportunity escape me.
Why does it matter so much what she thinks?
All of my thoughts fixate on needing her to believe me, to stay, to hear me out, and a tingling sensation flows through my chest and to my limbs. Trusting in my power, I open myself to the feeling and gasp as thick vines burst from the ground, wrapping themselves around her calves and rooting her in her spot.
Holy shit.
That’s the first time I’ve been able to tap into an elemental power. Until now, it always came to me in the form of energy. This is the first time I’ve trusted it to do what I needed without directing it and forcing it.