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As we approach the bridge, my heart clenches with fear. The thought of an ambush looms large in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. I grip the reins of my horse tightly, trying to push away the thoughts of what could be waiting for us on the other side.

Alaric rides ahead, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. I follow close behind, unable to shake the feeling ofunease that settles in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it’s all the talk of ambush and nothing more. I pray that I am right.

The bridge looms ahead, shrouded in mist and rain. It looks old and weathered, like it could collapse at any moment. Alaric halts, putting his hand up just as I see them.

My heart sinks.

The fae are there. The group looks bigger than before. They’re on the other side of the bridge. We caught them just as they were about to set up the ambush we talked about not long ago. There are too many of them.

I gasp as we swing our horses around to huddle behind a clump of trees and dying bushes. Alaric’s jaw is set, his eyes steely as he scans their ranks, assessing the situation.

“What do we do now?” I whisper, my voice almost inaudible over the heavy rain. “It’ll take us days of travel in the wrong direction to reach the next crossing.”

“By then, they’ll have that ambush set up there, too.” He curses softly under his breath. “I should have anticipated this. We should have ridden day and night and only rested once we were over that bridge.”

“That wouldn’t have been practical.”

“I don’t know what to do. Every path will lead to confrontation.”

“I agree, and that’s why I think we need to cross here. I’ll cast another sleeping spell. It worked well the last time.” I feel sick to my stomach just saying it. What if it doesn’t work? I lift my hands, feeling the power buzzing inside me and fully accessible.

I look at the fast-running river and then downstream at the rapids. If I trusted my power, I would make a bridge of magic to cross in a place of our choosing, but I can’t trust it. If the fae capture us, at least we’ll be alive. If we fall into the churning water, there are no guarantees.

I sigh.

I also acutely remember how my magic failed me before. How it’s failed me many times throughout my life. I can’t think like that now.

Alaric scrubs a wet hand over his even wetter face. “I agree. I think that facing the fae here and now is our only option. We cross the bridge. You cast your spell. By the time they wake up, we’ll be long gone.”

He makes it sound so easy, and it should be.

“We need a fallback plan because you never know.” I hate to say it, but it’s true. “My grandmother has a saying: ‘Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.’” My heart squeezes thinking about her. I hope she’s still alive and well. A lot of things can change in three years. That’s how long it has been since I was taken. Three long years.

Alaric smiles, his eyes turning hazy. “My grandfather used to say exactly the same thing. Perhaps we aren’t as different as you think.”

I disagree. I would argue the point, but this isn’t the time.

“If all else fails and we’re left with no option, I will use my power,” Alaric says. “I doubt very much that it will be needed.” He gives me a tight smile. “Not when we have you.”

I hope I don’t disappoint him.

“So, you suggest that we just ride over the bridge?”

“It was your suggestion first.” He smiles. “But yes, and when they come at us, you put them to sleep, and we get as much distance between us as possible. It’ll mean pushing the horses, even though they are tired, but I think it’s necessary.” He shrugs. “You pulled off this spell before; I’m sure you can do it again.”

“I hope so, Alaric. There are more of them this time. I’ll do my best.” My gut is churning with worry. I wish I were brimming with confidence.

“Let’s go.” He puts his horse into a walk, and I follow. I hate that we have to put ourselves in danger like this, but what else can we do?

I rack my brain but come up blank. This is our only option. I test my magic, and it’s still there.

Good.

Then I say a silent prayer to the moon goddess. May she keep us safe. Then another to Kakara, who cannot forsake us. Not now!

Thankfully, the rain slows to a light drizzle. The ancient wooden bridge is just up ahead.

As we draw nearer, my heart pounds in my chest like a relentless drum. I taste my fear on my tongue. When I see the big, bald brute at the back of the group, I close my eyes for a moment. Arwin will be out for blood when he sees me.