Page 30 of Light and Shadow
Offering her hand, she silently helps me, but will not meet my gaze.
I take the cup of water, and with shaking hands, I drink. After one bite of the hard biscuit, I put it down. The effort is too great.
Cara takes a packet from inside her cloak. The beautiful green dress I borrowed from Selina is ripped along my side and the silver has lost its sheen. Cara pulls the fabric aside. She smooths something cool on my skin along my battered ribs.
I jerk away from the touch. “Sorry. It hurts.” I keep my voice low so I don’t scare her off.
Cara’s eyes are soft blue and full of sympathy. She continues to tend my cuts and bruises. The light buzz of her magic eases my pain enough that I can take a full breath.
Venora made me bleed. No. It was the stone floor that cut me when I fell. “Why doesn’t she use a sword or knife?”
The hint of a smile plays on Cara’s lips.
I don’t expect a reply, but I like that she smiles. At least I know she can hear me, even if she can’t speak. “She could shoot an arrow through my heart and kill me. I’m only flesh and blood. Is it pride or something else?”
As Cara smooths the salve along my shoulder blade, it hurts so much I wince. Her hand stills for a moment, and then she continues. When she finishes, she looks at me and presses her hands together as if in prayer.
I don’t know if she means to say that she’ll pray for me or that I should pray. I can promise her that I’m praying. Instead of saying that, I give the same gesture. My father’s ring no longer sits on my finger. It must have fallen off. “Thank you. You are very kind.”
The thought of my treasure in the hands of that horrible witch is somehow worse than torture. It’s completely stupid considering my situation, but I wait for Cara to leave before I let the tears fall. I shouldn’t cry over a ring. I’m alive, and I should be thankful for that. Still, that ring felt like the last link to my world.
Somehow, I have to live. This world may not survive if I die. That horrible man said they’d go to Earth next. I can’t let either world suffer if I can stop it. “Why doesn’t Venora stab me through the heart?”
With my eyes closed, I float in a space between asleep and awake. The liminal state is soft, and the pain of my flesh ebbs away. This is how I imagine death will feel.
“You are not dead, Harper Craig.” The voice is strong and feminine.
I open my eyes, and rather than the cold cell of my prison, I’m in a field where a breeze moves the grass. But I don’t feel the wind or the grass. “This isn’t real.”
An elven woman with long blond hair and bright blue eyes walks out of a cloud and stands in front of me. “It’s not false either, daughter of the human world. You are here with me in your mind. I hoped you might relax enough that I could speak to you.”
There’s something familiar about her. Her gaze is direct with command and kind with concern. “You’re Aaran’s mother?” She barely looks older than him, but I know I’m right just the same.
She smiles and dips her chin in the slightest nod. “Elspeth Riordan. He blames himself for you being in danger.”
“Is he coming for me?” I’ve never had a dream so real, yet I know this is more reality than vision.
“He will do what he can, but it will be up to you to survive.” She steps closer and puts a hand on my cheek.
I can’t feel her touch, but I sense the mothering it conveys. “He saved my mother’s life. Even though I told him I wouldn’t come and help him, he saved her life. It nearly killed him. You should be very proud of him.”
Staring at me, she cocks her head. “He is a fine man. You have changed him. I only saw him in the scrying pool, but I could see the change.” She shakes the thought away, and her expression grows serious. “Listen to me now. There isn’t much time. Venora will try to turn you, kill you, and even make you a demon. You must hold on. You’re not elven or of a world she’s learned the magic of. It will take her time to learn enough to do you real harm.”
“Why doesn’t she use a blade?”
Elspeth tightens her jaw in the same way Aaran does when he’s considering something. “She doesn’t wish to get too close to you. It’s wise not to touch unknown magic.”
“She could shoot an arrow or throw a spear. There are so many ways to kill a human. Why does she only use magic?” It feels like this is important.
“I will ask the oracle. In the meantime, we shall count it a blessing. Stay alive, Harper. Help is coming.” Elspeth fades away as a cloud blows in and covers her.
Lying on the stone and Dorian’s cloak, I shiver, even in my sleep.
Aaran
Twenty miles doesn’t seem like much, but when you factor inrough terrain and no roads, it takes longer than I’d like, even on the fine horses meant to make the journey easier. The entire way, I’m near panic thinking about what Harper might be enduring.
She’s still alive. I can’t quite explain how I know, but I feel her inside me, as if her heart beats alongside mine. There’s comfort in that, but it’s not enough. I want to tear a hole in the world to get to her, but I have to settle for an ancient portal created by the old gods.
