Page 22

Chapter fourteen

W e set up the new camp after getting a few hours deeper into the forest full of sequoia trees.

Sitting around the newly built fire, we formulated a different plan, including using a large net for the trap, and me for the bait.

That, of course, created an argument, led by Nickolai, of whether or not I should be put into danger, which ended with me walking away to prep the trap.

Everything was set into place and ready, except for the sun that set sooner than we realized, leaving us to eat as it got dark.

Sounds from the forest grew louder and louder each passing minute, and I had a feeling that we wouldn’t be able to get away with two people keeping guard to protect the camp.

Everyone else seemed to have the same idea as they each had forgone going into their tents to get rest.

I watched as they all joked around and chatted until the glass bottles that had been rehung stopped clinking together.

The stilling silence happened many times throughout the night, causing everyone to draw their swords, bows, and daggers each time.

We would search around the camp, looking for the beast that dared to come close, but failed to find anything.

I had a feeling that if it weren’t for me being human, we would all be tracking them down.

At one point, Nickolai and Rita went for a walk around the perimeter and came back with smiles on their faces and blood dripping from their swords.

The sight of them together sent a pang of jealousy through me, making me wonder if they had ever slept together or if he had ever slept with anyone after me.

All thoughts that should be far away from my mind.

I didn’t realize I was staring at him until Nessy said my name expectantly. Breaking my trance, I questioned, “What?”

She gave me a knowing smile, “I asked where you got your dagger.”

“Oh. . . from Nickolai.”

“Wait, what!” She looked at him as he sat down on a blanket diagonal to us, sarcastic shock written on her face. “Why can’t you ever get me something like that? All your gifts to me are weird things that I never use.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, “Like you need more knives.”

“I do! Mine keep disappearing,” she exclaimed, dropping all teasing.

I cast a glance over to Loughlan, who ducked his head to cover his smile.

Nessy and Nickolai didn’t seem to make the connection as they continued with their sibling spat. “Then you should take better care of them.”

Nessy blew out a frustrated grunt before turning back to me with an eye roll. “Brothers,” she said, exasperated. I looked between them, fascinated from seeing their brother-sister dynamic up close. “Where did you get your other sword?”

“Nes, don’t,” Nickolai’s voice dropped the easygoing tone from the banter they had just shared.

“What?” Her voice was laced with concern as she looked between him and me.

“It’s fine,” I insisted, eyes narrowing at Nickolai before switching back to Nessy. I explained, “I got it from the man who helped me escape.”

“Oh, I'm sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I said, eyes falling again on Nickolai with a targeted look. I don't anyone's protection, least of all from him.

The conversation shifted, wandering in many different directions for the rest of the night, which ended with me waking up on Nessy, who was also asleep.

The land around us was covered in a blue hue from the sky starting to lighten and I scanned around to find that the only one awake was Nickolai, who sat watching the low-burning fire.

“What happened?” I asked, groggily.

“Well, you went down first, then Loughlan and Rita, and shortly after that, Nes and Calin.”

“So you stayed up?”

“Someone had to,” he shrugged.

“That is very unkingly of you.”

“Unkingly?” He repeated, raising a brow.

“I mean, typically kings have everyone else doing things for them and are. . . well, pompous assholes.”

His chuckle was deep and throaty from his lack of sleep.

“You just described my father.” I was unsure how to follow his comment, so I waited for him to continue.

“He cared more about himself and how much attention he got rather than those around him, even his own kids. . .” he paused, his eyes filling with a haunting look.

After a few seconds of being lost in what seemed to be a memory, he said, “I make it a point to not be like him. I mean at the end of the day, I’m still the king and have to demand a level of respect, even from my family.

But I still try not to be a, what did you call it? Pompous asshole?”

My lips thinned. “Yeah.”

We didn’t say anything more as we waited for the sun to rise along with the rest of the group.

Our eyes mainly stayed settled on what was left of the crackling fire, with his gaze traveling to the side of my face every once in a while.

I couldn’t bring myself to make a snooty remark about it, which had the realization of how I had changed in such a short time hitting me.

Even though the ache in my chest was constant and at times overwhelming, I still found myself starting to laugh or smile with them.

Being around Nickolai, especially after his help with my nightmare, I could feel my hatred for him slipping slightly.

It didn’t help that my body kept trying to give my brain reasons and reminders of why I shouldn’t.

The thought of no longer hating him and blaming him for the way my life has turned out had grief wanting to barrel through all my walls.

And I knew I wouldn’t survive letting it all out.

If I let it fully consume me for even a second, it would kill me.

Which is why each unintentional laugh and smirk stirred up the fear that I would soon become unable to hold down the grief for much longer. I only hoped that I could do my part of ridding Sedonia of these beasts before that happened.

Soon the rest of the group started to wake up, one by one.

We ate and sharpened our weapons to prepare for what was hopefully going to be the last day of this trip.

Everyone was dragging from the long night, but I kept looking at Nickolai and how he tried to hide his tiredness to keep leading the group.

When they eventually began to get into their positions among the trees, I placed a small cut into my hand directly under my thumb. Crimson liquid rose to the surface as the area of skin that was no longer connected burned.

We kept our eyes and ears peeled on the forest, and I began to walk around the perimeter waiting for any signs of the monsters—with the hope that the smell of my blood would mask the scent of everyone else around me. Drawing the beast to what it would hopefully think is easy prey.

The terrain was very similar to the area that I’d tracked the zalkrot to. With uncovered soil and large trees erupting from the ground, I had to tell myself over and over again to pick up my feet in order to not trip on the roots.

I moved around for what felt like an hour before a twig snapped in the distance. We each immediately turned to find nothing in that direction. It was probably a squirrel but it still had the hair on the back of my neck standing. Then the glass bottles stopped.

Dread filled my stomach as my eyes finally landed on it.

The sun had officially risen, casting rays of light though the leaves of the trees, allowing me to clearly see four black eyes stare at me from the dark red fur-covered creature, a kepsing.

With a hunchback and a trail of spikes protruding from the middle.

It was known for its speed—even with two front arms that were short with long claws—the large back legs made up for what the front ones lacked.

The creature scratched its foot on the ground, a warning.

Even though there was no use, because there was no way I could outrun this beast, I knew I was going to have to try. Blood pounded in my ears as I waited and watched, readying myself for it to charge. It did.

My body instinctively propelled me forward as I raced toward the area where the trap was set. I felt my stomach sank as I realized just how far I wandered. There was too much space.

Behind me, the snarls and loud footfalls of the kepsing were enough to spur me on faster.

Stupid. I was so stupid.

My calves ached as my legs moved so fast it felt like my feet were barely touching the forest floor.

I could just barely make out Nessy’s face in a tree, her eyes wide.

Loughlan was on the other side of the path we decided to use, looking like he was about to launch into the air at any moment and fly toward me, but Nickolai stopped him before giving me the signal.

I staggered a step to make sure I hit my mark and felt the rush of wind as the snap of a strong jaw shut too close to my back for comfort.

As soon as I reached the spot, I pushed off from the ground and jumped over the net.

My feet hit the dirt, taking the impact that caused a sharp pain to nearly make my ankles give out.

A collective curse from everyone around me told me immediately that it didn’t work.

The pain became mentally nonexistent as I pushed through it and continued to run—unable to stop for even a second.

Searching for that red mist, I used it to boost more power into each step I took, making a wide turn back to the trap.

My wide eyes landed on Nickolai first as he stood next to the path. I couldn’t speak as each breath rushed in and out of me, instead, I conveyed the fear I had into my eyes for him to see.

His panic mirrored mine as he shouted, “I’ve got you—jump!”

I listened and jumped over the net, rolling to the ground and turning to find that Nickolai had jumped between me and the kepsing.

My heart fell as I watched in horror while they both twisted mid-air.

I felt a few of my walls crumble when the sight of the long claws through his shoulder came into view.

And before I knew what was happening, the kepsing was pushed away from Nickolai’s body, landing in the net at the same time he limply fell on the ground with an all-too-familiar thud.

“Nickolai!” I screamed, rushing toward him.

My body immediately began to quake. Sliding on the ground to halt my momentum, I came up next to him—Nessy and Loughlan closed in while Rita and Calin took care of putting the kepsing in the metal cage before it shredded through the rope.

“Nic! WAKE UP!” I shouted over the lump forming in my throat, but he continued to lie unmoving with his shoulder pouring blood onto his bent armor. I tore the metal away, removing it to place pressure on the wound.

My movements were frantic between holding the wounds that made my finger slick with his blood, to checking his pulse, to shouting at Nessy and Loughlan to start a fire.

Suddenly, Nickolai coughed and let out a choked laugh, “Like hell am I going to let you do that to me again.” I looked down at him, relief washing over me for a split second before anger took over. His eyes opened and the soul-stirring traps of his iris locked on me with humor filling them.

“YOU BASTARD!” I yelled—throwing down both of my hands to hit his partially armored chest.

He groaned as his face contorted in pain. “Fuck!” he rasped.

I couldn’t control the tone of my voice as I screamed in his face, “You’re fucking fine?

!” It took everything in me not to slit his throat right there.

“Don’t ever do that shit again. If anyone is going to kill you, it's going to be me!” I don’t know how he was fine.

The last time I saw him hurt, I’d come to the conclusion that beast wounds didn’t heal rapidly for fae.

Guilt crossed his face for a split second but I pulled my bloody hands off of him and away from his wounds that were starting to close.

Getting to my feet, I stalked away as my body started to crash from the adrenaline, the panic of my feelings filling its place.

Everyone called after me, but I ignored them.