Page 115 of Wings of Lies
I had no energy to snap back, plus he was right. In an aura of blue light, Aspen swam behind me like this was his morning routine.
Why? I groaned.
I can help slow him down, but you must swim as fast as you can.
My palms pounded through the water, splashing with frustration. I already was! A drop of water landed on my lip, and I quickly let go of my irritation, changing my stroke. When I thoughtit couldn’t get any worse, the water became colder, and so did my head. Too painful to fully extend my arm, my swimming turned into smaller doggy paddles.
Don’t stop!
“I’m trying not to,” I breathed.Sparing a moment, I peeked behind me. Light surrounded Aspen, bright in the pitch dark, reflecting off a white surface.
I snorted in disbelief. “You have got to be kidding me.”
Layers of ice spread, holding Aspen in place for only long enough for him to flash with blue flames. Each time, the layer of ice grew thicker, taking him longer to melt through. It slowed him but didn’t stop him.
“Lucille! Swim to me!” Aspen yelled.
Like hell,if I didn’t move any faster, I’d become a Lucille-sized ice cube sinking to the bottom of this poisonous river. My hands and feet already cried out for help, and if my limbs reached that point, well, I’d neither be a prisoner anymore nor a daughter.
Maybe I would die.
Do you always give up so easily? Is that who you are at your core?he asked, voice strained.
Who said I’m giving up?I snapped. It wasn’t my fault the icy river stole my breath and energy.
You haven’t touched your Infernus. You haven’t even tried to fight against the cold. You’re just whining and taking it like you’ve been doing since the moment they captured you!
How can my Infernus help with his?I yelled at his sneering, judgmental tone.
If you can manage to surround your entire body in flame, you’ll be immune to the cold, just like you were immune to my power when I froze the prince.
I slammed my fist into the water.You could’ve said that in the beginning!
Yes, I could’ve. But there is a reason for everything I say or don’t say. Like the fact I never told you, you were jumping into a river that kills 99 percent of the creatures who touch it. You’re definitely naive. But that’s easily remedied. I can give you all the information you need. What’s not easily remedied is your will. Remember who I said I was looking for? It wasn’t the whiny, weak female. It was the one with a backbone who was willing to do whatever it took to survive. Show me you’re a fighter.
I’m sorry. What theactualhell? 99 percent of creatures? I’m going to die?
I don’t know, my sweet Lucille. You tell me? Who are you at your core?His frigid claws raked down the muscles of my mind. I tensed at the sharp sting and dove into my Infernus. Listening to my desires, it spread into my head and hands. Flames erupted on my skin, returning sensation to my fingers and shoving at the icy claw gripping my mind.
Who the hell are you?He knew stuff about me and my mom, or at least thought he did. He definitely knew things about Elora and the creatures who lived here. So, who was this king the Drune told me to listen to?
“Lucille!” Aspen sounded closer.
I’ll tell you everything I know, but only if you survive this.He was dead serious. There wasn’t an ounce of guilt in his tone for the fact he sent me into a river that killed almost everyone.
Have you found my mom yet?I let my Infernus spread from my hands to my neck and down to my toes, warming every inch of me.
Who are you at your core, Lucille? Where does your Infernus come from?he asked, ignoring my very important question.
Why don’t you tell me, king?I glared into my mind.Then answer my question.
Prove to me that you aren’t some weak-willed, naive wimp, and I will.
Am I not already?My Infernus covered my entire body, and my strokes eased through the deadly water.
Maybe.He smiled. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel the smug, conniving little thing.
“Lucille!” Aspen bellowed once more.
