Page 118 of Wings of Lies
Do you think he has the water in his lungs?
I hope so.
My vision dotted as I stared at Aspen’s lips.
Your powers are about to claim the price of their services.
He was right. Without another thought, I placed my lips to Aspen’s, ignoring the rancid taste of the water, ignoring the horrifying lack of tingles, and breathed for him.
I gave him the last of my strength as I pumped his chest, gave him the fate of my life as I tasted the poisonous water, wondering if I was too late. I gave him every last ounce of myself, not even knowing why. And when he finally coughed up water, rolling over to puke it up, the weight in my body took its claim.
I fell forward, slamming my cheek into damp rocks. Aspen’s soft rasp and the king’s disapproval slithered into my head before darkness claimed me.
“Why, Lucille?”
Stupid female. How will you escape now?
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Ashiver woke me up to a muddy puddle. Dazed and drenched, I felt something shift when I sat up to scan my surroundings.
A black cloak blanketed me, but that wasn’t as surprising as the comforting, warm weight of Aspen’s arm latched around my hip.
He seemed dead beside me despite the warmth of his body. I pressed two fingers into his neck, relieved to feel the tingles and his pulse.
Well, I’m glad to see he hasn’t taken you to his kingdom yet.
I started at the chilling voice.
Were you waiting around until I woke up?
Yes.
Why?
To do this.
Before I even assumed what that meant, a wave of agonizing icy power slammed through me and into Aspen. I screamed and forced my Infernus to the surface. The pain ceased, but the damage wasalready done by the time I recovered and jerked my fingers back. Ice layered Aspen’s body again.
Why the hell did you do that?
It needed to be done,he said weakly.He survived the waters like you. After he heals, he will wake up and take you to his queen. I can’t have that.
Why? Why am I so important to you?
Go North, and I’ll help you find your mom and give you answers,he said, voice and chill fading.
Great. I couldn’t even ask him which way was North. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t going North. I was going to find Magda.
With one last glance and doubtful thought, I wiggled out from under Aspen’s iced-over arm and placed his cloak back over him. Knowing he’d live, I dragged myself away and into the forest.
The loud swooshing of my feet jammed into the stillness. I needed to lift them. But between my difficulty seeing and lingering exhaustion, I couldn’t seem to care enough. What minuscule energy I gained from my drain nap revolted against my movement. That was the second time I drained myself into passing out.How long would it take me to drain myself to the point of death?
I sighed. It didn’t matter right now.
Eventually, dried bark turned to wet moss. It squished into my hands each time I steadied myself. When a uniquely unpleasant smell overpowered the scent of my wet clothes, I knew I entered Drune Forest.
