Page 119 of Cursed Evermore

“They came, too?”

“Of course, dear. We’ve been worried sick.”

“How did you find?—”

“Questions later, child. We don't have much time.” She cupped my face, the touch of her fingers adding reassurance. “We need to move as quickly as possible. You can tell us everything when we get home.”

Home.

The word sounded like solace in my mind. A safe haven of hope that made me realize just how desperate I was to return. I didn’t have to save myself anymore. Help had come to me. My family had come for me.

Wait.My stomach dropped as I remembered the invisible chain around my wrist. If we tried to leave without getting rid of it...

Gods, I had to let Grandmother know who we were dealing with. I was certain she’d know exactly who Wolfe was.

“Grandmother, it was Wolfe Nightblade who took me.” I whispered. “He put an invisible shackle around my wrist. If we try to leave, it will alert him.”

Her eyes rounded with a sick twist of fear and recognition. “Wolfe Nightblade? Galaythia’s heir?”

“Yes.”

“Blessed Mother.” She steadied herself with a breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll place up a shield to block his magic. Hopefully that should work. I doubt he used anything too strong because of the magical restrictions. Let’s pray we’ll be home before he notices you’re missing.”

My entire body sighed with relief. But then… I thought of Wolfe and what happened earlier. That barely there kiss filled with so much emotion it had leaked into my soul. The memory tugged at my insides, weakening me for a moment.

I’d never met anyone like Wolfe and I was certain no one would make me lose my mind the way he did.

“I don’t want you to forget me.”His voice whispered through my mind, making me feel that thing I didn’t want to give a name. He was the first man to make me feel anything. But he was just a fantasy.

A fantasy that masked the truth. He was my villain. They all were. Even Sirril with his kind heart and willingness to care for me.

My grandmother was here to save me. That was all that mattered now.

Together we’d find a way to find Father and the ring, then break my curse.

“Come on, child. We must go.”

“Yes. I’ll just grab some clothes.”

“Quickly.” She scanned the room, probably checking for wards I hadn’t seen nor felt.

I scrambled out of bed and pulled on pants and a woolen tunic. Then I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and dragged on my shoes.

Grandmother muttered a spell in a language I’d never heard her use. It sounded strange and creepy. Nausea curdled my stomach as I listened to her, but I breathed past the feeling.

I was aware it would take great magic to counter Wolfe’s spell. And there was no way Grandmother was abiding by any sort of rules at a time like this.

Knowing her, she would have pulled the darkest and most dangerous of spells from her arsenal.

“The shield’s up. Let’s go.” She took my hand and led me toward the door.

We slipped out like thieves, but every shadow seemed to watch us. Every breath of wind through the ship's bones sounded like whispers. Like messages trying to reach Wolfe’s ears.

The floorboards creaked beneath our feet, echoing through the silent corridor. My heart pounded so hard I feared someone would hear it from wherever they slept. Or maybe they weren’t even sleeping. I doubted they’dallbe asleep.

The Bloodsworn were trained warriors. They would have always been on guard in case of an attack, so someone would definitely be on watch.

One of the floorboards groaned out louder than the others. I held my breath, expecting Wolfe to materialize from the shadows. But thank the Blessed Mother, the hallway remained empty.