Page 298 of Cursed Evermore

“Why can’t we feel him?” My voice came out ragged.

“Because he doesn’t want to be found,” Arielle answered, cautiously. “The strongest bond to him was actually your shackle. We think Wolfe severed it.”

I felt even worse. And my heart broke all over again.

Wolfe wanted to be alone. That was understandable, but did that mean he’d stay away and maybe the next time I saw him, I wouldn’t even know his face? My heart shattered every time the thought crossed my mind. Then I felt selfish. Because this wasn’t about me. It was about Wolfe’s heartache, loss, and grief.

“Elariya, we need to talk about the next steps.” Bastian’s voice carried a tentative edge I didn’t like.

“What do you mean?”

“Days ago, Wolfe left me with instructions on what to do if something happened to him.”

I shook my head hard. “No. He has to come back.”

“We’re still hoping for that,” he said gently, “but if he doesn’t return before your memory resets, it’s still best for you to go back to Stormfell.”

“I can’t leave.”

“Elariya…” His jaw tightened. “I know you’d want to stay and wait for him, but I don’t think that’s wise. Besides, it was his wish and I’m bound to follow it.”

Heat flared inside my chest. “Do you have to do everything he says?”

“On this occasion, yes. We took a blood oath. I am bound to protect you until my last breath.”

My heart stumbled. Wolfe did that? Bound his best friend to protect me?

“But, Bastian?—”

“No.” His voice cut through mine, firm as steel. “There’s no room for argument. I am the only one who matches him in strength and power. That’s why I’m his second and why I’m the best person to protect you from what’s coming. Arielle and I will take you back to Stormfell. That will give you cover. The enemy won’t expect it. We don’t know if they even realize the full extent of your curse, but we have to use every advantage we can.”

“Then what?”

“The goal is still to find the ring. So, we’ll keep trying even if… Wolfe doesn’t return. He wants us to break your curse so you can have your life back. Even if he’s not in it.”

My chest caved, and that helpless feeling I loathed returned. Bastian’s gaze softened, but his words did not.

“In our search, we found a conduit out of this realm. But it only links to the route Wolfe intended us to use to reach Stormfell. Another safeguard he prepared. Since he tasked Arielle and me to take you through, we’re assuming the others are meant to remain here.”

The words hollowed me out, leaving nothing but raw ache in their wake. I pressed a hand to my chest as though I could hold myself together, as though that might keep Wolfe tethered to me when everyone else seemed ready to let go.

My vision blurred, the edges of the room darkening as the world recoiled with me. For a moment, I thought I might splinter apart right there on the floor, then a warm hand covered mine. Arielle had moved to my side.

“Breathe, Elariya,” she whispered, her hand warm over mine, steady as an anchor. “I’ve got you.” Then she lifted her gaze to Bastian. “I’ll take it from here.”

Bastian nodded and pushed to his feet. He and Arielle exchanged worried glances before he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Arielle lowered next to me, guiding me to rest my head on her shoulder. As soon as I did, the tears I’d held back flowed from my soul.

I’d cried to myself earlier, but this was different. These tears were the sort that came when you were trapped and you didn’t know what to do.

“Oh, Elariya, I’m so sorry.” Arielle held me close. “I know it hurts.”

“I just wished I’d said something about Zyrra. I could have told you.” I cried, my shoulders shaking.

“I understand why you didn’t. She sounded very…convincing. Besides, there was so much going on. Too much. You even had to learn to trust us. That’s why she got to you and used you.”

I inched away so I could look at her. “Why would she be against Wolfe?”