Page 63 of The Bones of the Cursed

When dawn peeks over the horizon, I slide out from under his arm and walk on soft feet to the bathing room to quickly freshen up. I wait a minute to make sure he is still in a deep sleep before slipping down the stairs and finding a piece of paper to write him a note. I scribble words down quickly, not stopping the tears as they fall.

I knew I couldn’t solidify our bond. Not yet, at least.

What I said was true: I didn’t want to take that step without Kailu. But another part of me wanted to protect Mal. He was already hurt when the ghouls attacked. Mating bonds are fickle things. If I were to solidify it and death should find me, he would be doomed to endure the pain of the bond breaking. But right now, if something were to happen to me, he would be free to find happiness with someone else. He wouldn’t have to endure the heartbreak and suffering of losing a mating bond.

Exiting the house, I take a breath of the crisp night air. The city is quiet all around me, almost peaceful. Then I head to the stables at the castle in the hopes of finding my horse, Aeros.

Kailu mentioned the healer was fixing him up after he sustained an injury to his stomach when the ghouls attacked Elion. I would hope by now he would be healed and just relaxing in the stables, waiting for us to bring him home. There are no lanterns lit when I arrive, which I take as a good sign. The door lets out a loud creak as I pull it open, causing me to freeze in place.

I wait and listen.

When no sounds greet me, I sneak inside. I check every stall, losing hope with each horse I find that isn’t mine. A deep black horse whinnies at me, and I feel the smile overtake my face.

“Zephyr.”

I give him a pat before brushing his forelock aside and dropping a kiss to his forehead. Malakai’s horse is in the stall right next to Kailu’s. I give Atlas some love, too. He is quite a hard nut to crack, kind of like his owner, but I have a soft spot for the difficult ones.

The second to last stall is empty, but I hear a soft snort from the final one. A snort that I recognize well.

Aeros.

I hurry to him. He is so happy to see me that he trots in place and nudges me with his nose. I give him a quick kiss before pulling myself onto his back.

I have nothing with me, no resources, no clothes, but it can’t be helped.

Only my daggers, my weapon of choice.

I hear the crunch of gravel under foot, panic slicing through my body.

Aeros starts on an easy trot right as I hear a shout. I don’t dare turn to see who it was.

I ease Aeros into a canter, so we can ride without rest into the early morning, making it to the Golden Vale just as the sun fully rises into the sky. I would guess Malakai is either awake or close to waking at this point. I need to find the portal as quickly as possible.

The Golden Vale is absolutely stunning. Large rolling hills enclose it on both sides and lush green meadows spread through the valley, bright with golden marigolds. I get the name now. Not very original if you ask me, but stunning all the same. A stream courses through the valley like a spine, and swaths of wildflowers grow on either side. Large swaying willow trees decorate the landscape, adding to the dreamy, mystical look.

I’m not exactly sure where to find this portal, but so far the portals have been in bodies of water. The lake in the Celestial Cave and the Shivering Lake. If that stays consistent, this stream must lead to a larger body of water somewhere.

I dismount and lead Aeros around the curve of the hill, looking for any sign of a portal or something out of place. The sound of flowing water grows louder the further into the valley I travel, as if encountering rapids, or perhaps stretching wider. The trees grow thicker, forming a tunnel over the stream before opening up to unveil the most gorgeous waterfall I have ever seen. I’m at the top, peering over the side into the deep blue depths of the lake below, and another waterfall drops down into a gorge beyond that.

I need to hurry. Everyone in Percius is definitely awake by now. Slowly Aeros and I walk down the steep hillside. I slip a few times on the dewy grass, but luckily stay standing. When I make it to the bottom, I tie Aeros to a tree. I let Malakai know the rough whereabouts of where he could find me in my letter. Aeros looks at me with what might be disdain, as if he too is mad at me for my choice. I give him a kiss and a carrot I stole from the stables.

I walk to the edge of the water, peering into its depths. I’m not sure how I can know for sure if this is the portal, but I have no other plan. Leaving my black trousers and white tunic on, I dive into the cool water. I open my eyes to try and see if there is anything hidden and stay under for as long as possible before breaking the surface and gasping for air.

Nothing.

I repeat this process four more times before dragging myself onto the shore in frustration, shoving my hair out of my face as I catch my breath. My clothes are waterlogged and I probably resemble a drowned rat.

Light catches my eye.

I turn toward a canopy of trees to find lights arching over an old bridge, the planks worn and the rope on either side looking a bit threadbare. The bridge connects the cliff to a small meadow across from the gorge, the second waterfall misting it from my view. The meadow is littered with a rainbow of colors. Carefully I cross the bridge, not sure how old it is or how well maintained. The meadow is small, but what catches my eye is the wishing well in the center. I would think nothing of it if it weren’t for the death that surrounds it. All the vivid flowers are completely withered and brown.

I swallow hard, nervousness skittering up my spine.

This has to be it.

Carefully, I lean over the edge and peer inside. The well itself is not very deep, perhaps no deeper than I am tall.

What makes fear seep into my very being is the skeleton resting on the bottom. The body is nothing but sun-bleached bones, but it’s the glinting ring on one of the fingers that has my heart pounding in an erratic rhythm.

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