Page 11 of A Bargain with the Fae King

A hand wraps around my arm. The scream building in my throat evaporates into a burst of air as I whirl around and smack right into Riven’s chest. A very hard chest, particularly since it’s covered in armor.

“Stay.”

My pulse hammers against my throat. I pull back, gasping for air. He lets me, but he doesn’t release my arm. His world looms behind him, a perfect oval that blurs into mine. He stands in the threshold of the door.

“We need you. I need you.”

My chest clenches so tight it’s hard to breathe. “I want—”

“Lia!” May calls.

I twist toward her voice. She’s out of sight down the hill. A cold sweat breaks out across my skin. What happened to her? Is she okay? She can’t get hurt on my watch again.

“Please.”

Riven’s plea stabs between my ribs. “I want to. I do, but—”

But I’m just me. I don’t help. I screw everything up.

“Lia!” May calls again.

His eyes widen, pleading.

I stumble back, my hand slipping from his. Riven’s arm is still outstretched, that palm empty and waiting.

Pain washes across his face. His shoulders hunch.

That look alone is like a punch to my gut. I should go with him. But May…

“I—I’m sorry.” Everything is a blur of tears as I turn away and race down the hill after my sister.

I wake in a cold sweat.

Leaving Riven at the door was a mistake. I knew it the moment I got a few steps away from him and looked back, only for him to have vanished completely. Again.

Everyone noticed my unease after we returned. Dad and Elise kept asking what was wrong, but I never had a good answer for them. I couldn’t possibly say, “You see, Dad, I’ve been seeing this guy in my dreams some nights. Actually, he’s not a guy, he’s a fairy, and he wants me to run away with him, I think.” That’d go over so well. A small, humorless laugh slips from my lips into the darkness of my room.

I flop back onto the pillow and press my eyes shut. Elise, once again, offered to make me an appointment with a therapist. Only if I wanted to, of course. Which I didn’t.

Damp hair clings to my face. I push it away. It’s always a little warm on the second floor this time of year—southern heat, old cabin, and all. The fan humming on the side table takes care of that though. This sweat, this mess of emotions rolling around in me so fiercely that I got all tangled up in the sheets, that’s all me.

It wasn’t because of a dream this time though. I’d expected one—prayed for it, actually. Then I could explain to Riven why I left him standing there and how much I really do want to help. I suck in a deep, steadying breath.

Figures he wouldn’t visit me tonight. Not after how I left things.

The soft mattress tugs me back to sleep, cradling my body just so. Tomorrow, I have to go back first thing and try to find him.

I’m about to drift off when I finally realize what’s been bothering me since I woke. It’s quiet. My fan hums, but beyond that, there are no bugs, no owls—none of the things I usually hear at night.

A warning bell sounds in the recesses of my mind, and I bolt upright.

It’s the same feeling I had at the circle of trees.

The covers flutter away as I jump out of bed and run to the window. Tree branches sway in the breeze. Moonlight highlights the dark landscape in shades of gray and muted colors. No sign of Riven or anyone else.

Not outside then.

Inside? I flush and shudder at the same time.

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