Page 98 of A Lick of Flame

Just as we are walking toward the path, the door opens, and we hear a voice. It’s Bellatrix. “Did you see how bright the North Star is tonight, my King? Did you see?” We hear a goddess-awful cackle, and the door shuts tight once again.

“What was that?” I ask.

“No clue.” Orion shakes his head, looking bewildered. Then we are leaving Windsar Forest, moving as quickly as our tired legs will take us.

34

Orion

We push through the thick, suffocating forest at a frantic pace. Our feet pound against the earth as we lead our animals, their hooves thudding against the ground with each step. They snort and whinny, eager to be out in the open. EagEagerar to be away from here, and I can’t say that I blame them. No one says a word.

Thankfully, it isn’t long before we can mount up. A little while later, we are bursting through the trees and out into more open terrain. The horses pick up a steady lope, and we let them. It would be best to put some space between us and that evil place, especially given that the sun is setting fast. The sky is a brilliant pink and orange, streaked with shades of purple and blue. On any normal day, I would have found it to be a breathtaking sight.

Not so much today.

Not after what just happened.

There is nothing I can do for you. The tether can’t be broken.

I refuse to believe it. No!

We ride for a short while in silence, and then Maya abruptly pulls up her horse. Her face is pinched, and she’s breathing heavily.

I bring Copper right alongside Midnight. “What’s wrong?” My voice is laced with concern. Maya looks drawn and pale. I hate that this is happening. “What’s wrong, love? Speak to me.”

She clasps a hand to her chest; her eyes are filled with fear. “It’s Raila,” she gasps.

“Do you need to get down? To take a break?”

She shakes her head, her breathing normalizing. “She’s afraid, Orion, and I don’t know why. She’s scared…petrified, even.”

“Delphine is with her. I’m sure I would have felt something if my dragon was in danger.” At least, I hope that’s true. “Perhaps it is fear over losing the tether or—”

“No, I don’t think so… Although, I can’t be sure.” She huffs out a breath, looking deflated. “It’s over. We should get going before it gets too dark.” She looks up at the sky, which is quickly turning a dark purple.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nods. “Yes…yes, I’m just worried, that’s all. We should go.”

I reach over and cup her face, trailing my thumb over her jawline before letting go. We set off again.

My own gut is churning with worry. I was so sure that the witch would help us. I had put all of my faith in a positive outcome. I am quite simply out of ideas that don’t include entering the Beastfae Court. Of searching through the great library to try to find information on the subject. The chances of being caught are enormous, especially with the bounty on my head. I’d be shackled and handed over to Snow in a heartbeat. I keep going through our interaction with the witch. I keep analyzing every word, every action. It doesn’t add up.

We ride a little farther before stopping and setting up camp for the night in a small grove of olive trees. No one says much of anything. The mood is somber.

It isn’t long before the horses are taken care of, and a fire has been set. Thesha has some dried fruits. Xander has some dried meat, and we still have unleavened bread. We gather around the fire with our paltry offerings. Maya and I tell Xander and Thesha everything about our trip so far, as well as what happened with Bellatrix.

“She took your hand, Maya, and then, within seconds of doing so, she banished you from the tree?” Thesha says, eating the last piece of her dried fruit.

Maya swallows. “Yep, that’s exactly what happened. Her demeanor changed so quickly that it can’t be a coincidence.”

“It was the strangest thing,” Orion says.

“She must have seen or felt something when she took my hand,” Maya remarks. “All I know is that she looked afraid. I don’t think she was faking. If anything, I think she was trying to play it down.”

“Or she was just toying with you.” Xander bites off a piece of dried meat. “It’s what witches do,” he says around the bite.

I make a noise of agreement because he is right.

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