Page 27 of Wind and Water
As the wind reaches the top, the witch queen rises awkwardly. Her power shifts wildly.
A shard hits Wren, and I pull her back.
I gasp into consciousness. Half sitting, the weight of Wren against my side and shoulder keeps me from shooting to my feet.
She clutches at me. Her eyes closed, words stuck in her chest and throat as she thrashes.
“Wren, wake up. It’s a dream. Wake yourself up.” I shake her shoulder and kiss her forehead.
Her eyelids pop open. “Oh. The dream again. And you were there. Momma is in that tower. That monster has my mother.”
Gently rubbing her back, I move us to sit. “You don’t know that. It was a dream, and while parts of it might be real, other pieces might be conjured by your imagination and fear.”
Turning to face me, a crease forms between her eyes. “You were there this time. Not before.”
“I was there. I saw what you saw.” It’s not possible, but I traveled into her dreams.
“How did you do that?”
It would be simpler if I had a magical method. “That is magic beyond me, sweetheart. I have never walked in another’s dreams or read anyone’s mind.”
“You got into Wally’s mind.”
How do I explain this? “I only made a suggestion and pushed it into him. I didn’t read his thoughts or invade his privacy. I don’t have those gifts and would be shy to use them if I did.”
“Do you fear what you might find in my thoughts?” She rises and looks out the window into the predawn darkness.
Standing behind her, I wrap my arms around her. “It is an invasive and personal thing to be inside someone’s mind. I could hear your heart beating all around me.”
“That must have been unsettling.” Her voice is full of empathy, laced with the residual fear from the dream.
“It should have been.” I felt at home, and maybe that’s even more terrifying. “I don’t know how I came to walk into your dream, but I’m glad I was there to see what you saw and perhaps define a location. It might be best if we avoid the lost lands if we can.”
“My mother is there.” There isn’t a shred of doubt in her voice.
“I saw no sign of Birdie, did you? Venora’s threat may have been in vain. Besides, it was still a dream. The interaction from her side wasn’t real. Or do you think she puts these thoughts in your mind?” Now that is a sobering thought.
When she turns, her chest is pressed to my body, and she cranes her neck to look me in the eyes. “I don’t think so. Is that even possible? I’ve been having these dreams that come to pass for most of my life. Has she been in my head for decades?” She shivers.
Rubbing her arms from elbow to shoulder, I pull her into a hug and breathe in her flowery scent. “I don’t believe the witchqueen knew anything about you or the other prophesied before. I’m not even certain she knows now.”
“So, what do we do?” She presses her cheek to my chest and wraps her arms around my waist.
This is comfortable. It’s selfish, but I wish I could forget duty and the needs of so many and stay like this with Wren for the rest of my life. Impossible. I kiss the top of her curls. “Let’s eat those sandwiches Birdie knew we would need and go find her.
Once we’ve broken our fast, I search for weapons and manage to find several knives and a child-size sword hidden beneath Jax’s clothes in the back of a closet. Likely, he meant to keep them out of his boys’ hands when he was not present to train them.
I take them all and tuck the knives into my sack. The sword is small but sharp and well-balanced. It would be better if I had the time to teach Wren how to use it, but for now, she’s wise enough to know the hilt from the pointy end. “Strap this on in case you need to defend yourself.”
With wide eyes, she buckles the belt low on her waist. “I have no idea how to use a sword.”
“Hopefully, you won’t need it.” Packs slung over our backs and armed for whatever may come, we leave the safety of Serena and Jax’s home. “We have a bit of a walk ahead of us. Up to the portal rise and then across to the forest. It will take most of the day.” I have never wished for a horse more. Not only would it save us half a day, it would be an added layer of protection for Wren.
Adhar caws as we step outside the house. She takes flight and heads west but never too far ahead.
At the top of the rise, five centaurs stand in a row, all armed with bows and arrows, swords and spears, but they’ve not drawn their weapons.
The raven stands on a rock as if waiting patiently for us to catch up. While Adhar seems perfectly at ease, I’m less trusting.
