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Forty-Six

Tessa

Iwatched Oberon through slitted eyes. He’d stopped the horses a few moments ago and then he’d slid me to the ground, thinking I was still out, despite all the jostling. His face gleamed with sweat, and the burns on his skin looked angrier than they had before. Exhaustion clearly pushed down on his body, and he dragged his feet through the sand.

He eased onto the ground and slumped against a nearby rock, closing his eyes. “We’ll rest here. For just a moment, and then we’ll be on our way. Drain me all you want, but I won’t let you stop me.”

I frowned. Was he talking to me? I didn’t think so.

Keeping my breath steady, I held my body still as Oberon drifted away into unconsciousness. As soon as a light snore escaped from his open mouth, I looked around. Mist and shadow surrounded us like a heavy blanket, but an orange glow brightened in the distance. We were drawing closer to the city. Kalen had sent some of his warriors to patrol the streets and prevent Oberon from retaking his land. If I shouted loud enough, would they hear me?

I slid my gaze back to Oberon. I couldn’t risk waking him, not until I could be sure of my success.

First things first, I needed to get out of these ropes. They cut into my skin every time I moved my hands, and my wrists throbbed as much as my shoulder did. The Mortal Blade wasn’t an option. He’d taken it after he’d knocked me out, and it gleamed from the belt around his waist, along with a handful of other small blades. My sword was gone too.

I bit the inside of my cheek. If I could just get my hands on that dagger…

The horse nickered. Oberon’s snore cut off.

Stiffening, I closed my eyes and dropped my chin, feigning sleep.

“No,” Oberon groaned. “Leave me alone. Let me heal.”

I fought the urge to look at him. Who was he talking to now? The horse?

But then silence descended once more, and I risked cracking open one eye. Oberon’s head lolled against his chest. His tongue stuck out between his parted lips, and his face shone with sweat. He looked so…small. How had I ever found him terrifying?

Right. I needed to make a move fast, or he’d start leading us toward the city again. And I did not think there’d be another stop along the way—not when we were this close. With one eye on his face, I twisted my hands around in the rope so that I could grip the edges of it with my fingers. Pain shoved through me like the bolt of an arrow, and I took a moment to breathe through my clenched teeth.

My blood painted my hands as I dug my nails into the rope. I pulled at the knots, slowly tugging each strand. Moments ticked by with excruciating torment. Any second now, Oberon would wake, and he’d end my futile escape attempt. I’d barely unraveled one of the knots when my horse stomped his hoof.

I froze, my heart in my chest.

Oberon blinked. I closed my eyes and slumped, but it was too late. He’d already seen me.

“You’re awake,” he muttered. “More valerian for you.”

Well, if we weren’t pretending anymore, then I saw no reason to hold back. This was likely my only chance to escape. And I would seize it by the horns.

I opened my eyes and climbed to my feet, standing as he struggled to gain his own footing. His face had turned a sallow gray now, almost like death was eating him from the inside out. Something was preventing him from healing.

I lunged toward him. A startled look crossed his face just before my shoulder hit his. I knocked him sideways, but the pain that shot through me ripped a scream from my throat. The throbbing overtook my mind as he swung a fist at my face. I stumbled out of the way. His fist hurtled through empty air, and he lurched forward, caught off guard.

I hauled up my foot and kicked him in the back. He tumbled to the ground, his cheek smashing against the sand. A dagger flew from his belt and skidded across the ground. I dove toward it without even thinking. It wasn’t the Mortal Blade, but it was better than nothing.

My fingers gripped the hilt just as Oberon lumbered back to his feet. He looked at me and laughed.

“You do realize that thing will do nothing against me? Not coming from you anyway. Mortals are too weak to kill fae kings.”

“I don’t think I’m the weak one here. And as you well know, I’m onlypartmortal.”

The muscles tightened around his hollow eyes. “No, you’re right. And that’s why I have to do this.”

He turned his back on me, dragging himself through the sand to his horse. For a moment, I froze with uncertainty. As far as I could tell, I had three options. I could stab him in the back with this pitiful blade. Unfortunately, Oberon was right. It would do very little to harm him.

Alternatively, I could run while he was distracted. I didn’t know how far I would get with my pain-wracked body.

The third option was likely my best, but I’d have to move fast if I wanted to avoid another valerian-soaked cloth.