Page 37 of Soul of Thorns
Shadows are my element. My friends. But here... here, it’s so much different.
Maybe it’s just because I’ve mentally and emotionally chosen to die—I’m just waiting for the right moment. Or maybe it’s something else.
Rev sits still and quiet, staring out the opening of the cave, into the shadows beyond. The sky is growing dimmer every moment, but this place is so dark to begin with it’s hard to tell when it’s officially night, at least visually. When we begin to hear the moaning of the dead, that’s when I personally declare it to be officially night.
My muscles throb. My head pounds. Maybe staying this close to the wall was a bad idea. I probably could use more rest, which is rather annoying considering I shouldn’t need more rest. I slept plenty in the cottage. More than my share, if I’m honest.
Something about these lands drains me of energy. And though I won’t tell Rev this, the thought of using my magic basically every moment in order to hide the two of us sounds excruciatingly exhausting. But I’m going to do it.
I’m going to do it because we need it. Because I need it.
So far, the darkness has been sneaking over the mountain pass, inch by inch, but we have yet to see any more movement on the pathway below. The undead rabbit aside, we’ve seen nothing of note. Over an hour has passed since either of us last uttered a word.
Rev watches the scene before us, still and stoic. Stubborn or loyal. There isn’t much of a difference. He’s so determined to protect me, keep me from harm even though it’s far too late. I’ve doomed myself. That ship has passed. But I suppose I can appreciate how difficult it would be to watch someone you’re growing to care about die, hopeless to help.
He can’t save me. No matter how hard he tries.
I’m just going to have to go along with his hopes until I’m certain his quest can be achieved. Until he no longer needs my help. Then, I’ll find a way to slip away quietly and allow him to go on with his life.
This is just another thing I know Rev needs from me. To believe there is hope. To believe I will continue to fight.
“Caelynn,” Rev calls quietly. “Come look.”
I inch over to the ledge opposite the cave and peer over his shoulder. Down the rocky cliffside, shadows shift eerily. “Wraiths?”
Rev shrugs. “How’s that shield?”
I take in a long, deep breath. My magic is solidly around us, but it takes constant effort to sink it deep enough to cover Rev and I both so completely.
My breath shakes as I take in another. My shadows have always been my protectors. But lately, it’s felt more like a burden.
We revert to the cave, where we can only barely see the pathway below. We can’t see the fire wall beyond.
My stomach aches as I force the magic to dig deep. I’ve never been able to shield someone else the way that I can with Rev. I can use shadows to cover something, but there is a difference between shielding something and merging shadow with flesh and bone. True invisibility only comes with oneness with the shadows. Only a shadow fae could achieve this, or so I thought. Because yesterday with the wolf wraith, he couldn’t see us at all.
Either wraiths have worse eyesight than living beings, or despite how we both continue to fight the bond, my magic recognizes Rev as my mate, and his magic recognizes me. Theoretically, the closer we get, the easier it will be to use our magic as one.
Rev shivers as the magic settles over the cave, but then he pauses, studying me. Can he tell something is off? Can he see how exhausted I am?
His silvery grey eyes hold mine for several moments. His lips part and I expect him to speak, but nothing comes out. Instead, his fingers inch toward mine. The first moment his skin contacts mine is like a spark. I let out a breath because even that tiny connection reminds me of what I’m here for. What I’m fighting for.
I haven’t given up on him. I won’t. Not ever.
