Page 82 of Trial of Thorns
Caelynn
We rise with the sun, pack up, and head out without one word spoken between us.
Most awkward alliance ever. We climb the highest point we could conceivably complete in a day because the clue at the well told us to reach a high point and look for a blue clue in the south for further instruction. Apparently, climbing and finding the next instruction is our second task. Simple and fairly easy. So long as we find it by the time the sun sets, we are good for the day.
The only thing we have to worry about today is basic survival—including avoiding our enemy foursome who are certainly hunting us as we speak.
We climb for hours without a word spoken, each using our own supplies. Our chosen mountain is a plateau with a steep but well-worn path up to the summit. We could take shortcuts up the sharp face of the mountain, but considering the amount of time we have in the day and Rev’s injury, we’ve decided to take it easy. Or, at least no one has voiced otherwise.
Rev never looks me in the eye.
He never says a word to me.
We silently work together to complete our simple task; for the moment, content with our protection by sheer numbers. We edge across a narrow ledge and sweat pools over Rev’s brows.
“Are you alright?” I ask him calmly.
He scrunches up his nose like he’s disgusted I’d even speak to him. “Fine,” he says through gritted teeth.
I raise my hands in surrender, and he rolls his eyes. Yeah, should’ve seen this kind of reaction coming. What did I expect? He’d all of a sudden swoon over me since I saved his ass?
Nope, I’m still his brother’s murderer. I need to remember who I am—to him, the others, all of the fae world, even to Tyadin.
I will die one day and rise as a wraith, destined to haunt the Schorchedlands for eternity—all for one mistake. One decision that I can’t take back.
I’ve come to terms with my past and my future that can’t change. Even if Rev were to treat me as an equal. Even if he could forgive me—not happening—it wouldn’t change anything else.
I need to win to change my legacy, but my future will still remain.
A raven flies overheard, squawking as it goes. “What is with that black bird?” Rev says, annoyance clear in his voice.
“It’s a bird. Nothing to be concerned with.”
“Right,” Rev says, his tone implying he’s not convinced.
I swallow.
Rev’s foot slips, sending a scattering of rubble down the side of the mountain. Without thinking, I reach forward and grip his forearm to steady him. He rips his arm away with a growl. “Don’t touch me,”
I wince. Tyadin meets my eye but looks away quickly.
