Page 68 of These Eternal Bones
A few lesser supernaturals scatter as they see me rushing through the never-ending maze that I now know is called Onogahara Castle. It’s not until I hit the wide entryway, frantically shoving my feet into my boots, that my heart tosses itself against my ribs with a violent thud. “Mistress?”
I whirl on Péal, waving my arms around like mad, before I press my finger to my lips.
Her brow furrows, eyes darting to the door behind me.
I just shake my head, offering her a sly smile.
Her free hand tightens on the rag she's clutching, making soapy water dribble onto the floor as her free one slaps over her mouth. The excitement that bursts in her eyes is palatable and infectious.
I turn back to the task at hand, getting my boots haphazardly laced. When I look back up, she is long gone, knowing Péal, she’s likely off to wait in the woods to see what I’m about to do. I only hope she doesn’t watch too terribly long. A flush blooms on my cheeks despite the cold air as I step out into it. It’s a quick jog to make it past the clearing into the wood line, but it feels miles and miles long. I don’t dare call out until I’m deep enough into the woods that the darkness feels pungent and light is a thing of distant memory. I don’t give myself a moment to rethink this. Todoubt.
“Fox!” I call out softly. “Fox! I need you!”
I stumble forward, the toe of my boot catching. It’s not until I straighten myself that I feel the warmth, his voice coming inches from my cheek. “Thought you’d never ask.” A scream builds in my throat, but his hand slams over my mouth, stifling it, not painfully, but quickly. At that same blurring speed as Elric. For a moment, I thinkI made a terrible decision until his voice finds me again. “No need for dramatics, truly. It isyouwho called forme.”
My skin prickles. I know deeply, innately, that he played more of a part in my past lives than I have been told. There’s more to him and Elric’s constant warring. I shove away from him, leveling him with a glare, my breath leaving puffs of smoke between us. “If you touch me, he’ll kill you.”
He hikes a coppery brow, shrugging as he leans against a tree, looking far too casual. “Not without a great deal of trouble and pain.”
I don’t know why his words irritate me. Why this banter, the arguing seems so natural. So right. “It cost him neither last time.”
He laughs at that. “I was not there to fight, little one. Not when my point was being so effortlessly made for me.”
“Why bring me to him if you only wanted to tear us apart?”
He sobers, the aloof and carefree wall slipping, seeming at war with his lazy posture. “My dear, you finding each other was as inevitable as the sunrise. I merely wished to give you a fighting chance.”
“You truly think him so terrible?”
His burnt orange hair shifts as he regards me. “Things such as wrong and right are ambivalent to beings such as us. I knew only that I did not wish to see you buried yet. You once loved me alongside him, you know. I found you first in that life, too. A few back now, I took to your heart just as quickly as your bed.”
My jaw drops open before I snap it shut. “You lie.”
He doesn’t. Not at all.
“Never, not to you.” His lips quirk as he shoves off the tree. I could certainly see myself falling into his bed. He is beautiful too, with his tanned skin and black tipped strands. His body is carved as expertly as Elric’s. I feel no such inclinations in this life. Pity him. The fox looms closer, his lips inches from mine. I can tell how badly he wants to kissme; I force myself to stay still, fighting the urge to shove him away. “We took you together. You spread beautifully taking two cock–
“Then you’re insane.” I offer, crossing my arms, putting a barrier between us.
He laughs. “Then perhaps let the fox god have this small delusion.”
“Another god,” I remark, changing the subject because my cheeks are seconds from lighting aflame.
I wonder if I was a skilled writer in that life as well.
“The boundary lures us in, supernaturals and gods alike. The magical imprint on the land is like a moth to a flame. Once we realize…it’s far too late.”
“It traps you all…” I take a shuddering breath. “Then there are other gods here as well?”
“Oh, fates no, we killed them. Much too small a plot of land for all that pride and posturing.”
I shake my head, determined to ignore his goading. “I need your help.”
“Do tell my dear.”
“I need to make it to the border.”
He stills at that, a flash of worry in his odd eyes. “Why?”
