Page 44 of The Wishing Game

"Meet here? Where are we going?"

"I don't know where you're going. But I'll be heading over to my friend's place." Hopefully, it's not too late for me to make my appearance at the warehouse.

"You can't," Thea bursts out.

Both Cer and I look at her curiously.

"That is to say, it's not safe. This is a competition and others will want to defeat us. That means we need to stick together."

I frown at her explanation.

"You have guesthouses, no? We can check into one and stay there for the duration of our mission," she adds, quite pleased with herself.

"You mean a hotel?" I ask, intuiting what she's referring to. It's clear both are not very familiar with how this world works, but they seem to have at least some equivalents intheirworld—wherever that is. As that thought arises, I decide to carefully probe more in the coming days to arm myself with more knowledge.

"Yes, that. I saw quite a few on my way back."

"There's only one issue. You have no money. I have maybe ten dollars left. We can't afford a hotel."

"Pfft, leave that up to me," Thea declares.

Not even ten minutes later and we find ourselves in the lobby of a very expensive-looking hotel. Thea says something in a low voice to the woman at the front desk, and in a matter of seconds, she's offered the key to an apartment—their most deluxe apartment.

"How did you do that?" I ask as we all cram into the elevator to head to the tenth floor.

"I can beverycharming." She winks at me.

The apartment has two bedrooms, one for me and one for the siblings. Maybe I should have offered to room with Thea considering how much they squabble, but I'm too tired and Thea has too much energy. If I'm to rest tonight and regain my strength, I can't have her hop around and talk incessantly—regardless of how endearing she might be while doing so.

After we've divided the rooms, we say good night and agree to reconvene in the morning.

As I enter my room for the night, I'm surprised by how luxurious it is. Thea's charm must be quite potent for her to be able to get this apartment with no money. It makes me wonder about the extent of her powers. I'm not entirely sure what being a harpy entails besides those sharp nails she displayed on occasion, but maybe it includes some hypnotic abilities.

Everything is possible at this point. I don't think I would be surprised at anything anymore.

Releasing a weary sigh, I go to the bathroom, once more surprised by the luxurious amenities. There's a waterfall-style shower that could accommodate half a dozen people. I glance longingly at it. I'm so tired, but I also feel dirty considering how much I've been running around. The dip in the well notwithstanding, I truly need a shower.

Before my eyes can become more sluggish, I shrug off the straps of my dress, shimmying it down my body until it lands at my feet. Stepping out of it, I enter the shower stall, pursing my lips as I get acquainted with the controls.

Once I figure out the settings, I turn on steaming hot water, letting it drape over my body just as steam envelops the entire stall, the glass panels fogging. Warmth caresses my skin, a change from the coldness that's made its way into my bones. Maybe it's the hot water, or maybe it's my newfound optimism. All I know is that the beats of my heart align with the drops of water dripping onto my body before sliding to the floor. The anguish that had previously consumed me melts away as I envision a new future—one where my husband is beside me.

Turning to face the jet of water, I close my eyes as I shift reality in my mind. Stepping back, I feel a block of hard muscle meet my back, his body molding to mine.

Hands caress my rib cage, big palms splayed over my stomach as he draws me closer. The harsh pads of his fingers scrape against the softness of my skin, his nails digging into my flesh.

My breath hitches in my throat as I lean into him, throwing my head back as his searching lips meet the side of my neck, sucking, nibbling, licking.

He cocoons my weary body, laying siege to my mind as he makes me lose myself to the euphoria of those sweet kisses.

The water turns scorching hot, leaving behind red angry trails on my skin, but the pain is but a pulsing sensation, eclipsed by the urgency of his touch.

I pant low in my throat, pushing myself into him, only to lose my balance as I belatedly realize there's no one there with me. It's just me and this aching emptiness in my heart.

The water sprays onto my face as I find myself immobile on the shower floor, my feet spread apart, my gaze fixed on a nonexistent spot.

From a welcoming heat, it becomes an unbearable inferno as panic strikes in my breast, causing my heart to erupt into an unsteady rhythm. Dragging myself on my knees, I reach the controls of the shower after what feels like an eternity, turning the water off and taking a deep, anxious breath into my lungs.

"Soon," I whisper to myself.

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