Page 61 of The Lost Fae
Wearl's hand is the first to lift into the air. Shortly after his, Ellie lifts her hand, keeping her gaze pointed at me. More hands rise into the air as more and more of them agree. Explosions of butterflies erupt in my chest with every hand that rises until everyone but Barnabus himself is raising their hands.
Barnabus swivels in the dirt. "I think you have yourself an army. Now, how do you propose we leave this godsforsaken place?"
"That's the... hard part. Or at least the not so pleasant part." I'm practically wincing even as I say it. "You have to drown."
The Fae bristle. Rightfully so. I'd just asked them to blindingly follow me into a crusade to remove the current queen from her position and before they even get to that very challenge, they'll have to drown themselves first. Even as I'm imagining it in my own head, I know that I'd never do it if I were them.
Lincoln's hand finds mine. He smoothly intertwines our fingers and strokes down my thumb with his. The only comfort he can give me as we wait for them to answer again. They'd agreed to do it, but they could always back out.
Barnabus leans away from us, his head falling back, and he laughs. His entire body shakes, and he holds his hands against his abdomen to keep himself together as he genuinely laughs. Turning slightly, he gives his crew a half smile before he roars another laugh, and many of them join him. What could be humorous about this?
“Seriously?” Barnabus chuckles. “No.”
“It’s the only way. I wish it wasn’t true.” I try to keep my voice even and sincere. It’s a balance to keep them on our side, ready to help and fight. So I continue, urging them with what little information I can give. “We were able to get the information from Anastasia. Able to enter her mind as Lincoln has done with you. We’ve drowned to get back home and we’ll drown again to leave.”
"This might be the craziest, idiotic thing we've ever done as a team, lads." Barnabus scrubs his face. "How can we be certain you aren’t leading us to death?"
“Trust? I healed Wearl.” It’s a small pathetic offer.
“Men?” He turns to look at the bandits gathered around. They nod slowly before their slight agreement grows to shouts and whoops. Their cheers fill the night and it sends the Fae into motion. They scatter, only to grab things from their tents and strap weapons to their bodies. Barnabus pats his own blade on his waist, watching as another Fae snuffs out the fire, leaving us shrouded in darkness.
“Is this a yes?” I whisper.
"I miss the gentle sway of the trees. The taste of the sun-soaked air." Barnabus’s lips press into a thin line. "I'd drown a thousand times just to return to the land I was born to. And I think many can agree with that. Plus," he shrugs, "having you around to mend every ailment seems like the perfect arrangement."
"What a... kind thing to say..." My brows furrow and I laugh.
"Anyway. Onward... to the ocean!" Barnabus shouts. ”You two can lead.”
The Fae leave their camp without another glance back at it. Without further question, blindly loyal to Barnabus who remains blindly loyal to them, they sprint into the woods. Whoops and hollers of excitement break up the sounds of the night, disturbing the chirping of insects. The Fae call out, harmonizing with the howl of something wolf-like in the distance.
I can't help but laugh at it all. Laugh at the entire situation and the stress. It's almost embarrassing how I sputter with laughter as I look at Lincoln and start sprinting for the beach. A nervous tick I'm not sure I'll ever kick. I'm still reeling from the emotional roller coaster inside of me and the alleviation of this particular stress that loomed over me.
Like a stampede, their steps rumble throughout the forest. Their energy seeping into the ground and reverberating underneath me, pushing me to move faster, building my anticipation. Though, the most fearful part is yet to come.
The most satisfying part.
I push aside limbs and growing plants, thinking of every misdeed Cordelia has done in my time with the Fae. From the cleansing, stripping young women of their right to bear children to killing infants whose families had grown to anticipate the lives of, to thinking she had any right to touch Lincoln. I'm not sure I like who I am for it, but I am sure that when I'm able to make Cordelia bleed, I'll be smiling while I do it.
Sand clouds in the air as we kick through it. I can taste it on my lips as it scratches down my throat with every breath. Still, it’s better than the drowning that will consume us soon. There is more warmth here than in the waters closer to Anastasia and her hodgepodge castle, but it still chases a shiver of cold inside of me. Little pinpricks of cold dot over my skin as I wade into the ocean. It sprays over my clothing when the waves crash against me, but I still push through. Lincoln's at my side, his face remains solemn.
The ocean’s waves become broken by the men who scream into the night, splashing their way into the waters. Some dive head first, some run until they can't touch the ground anymore.They all tread water as they watch us.
When our feet can hardly touch the rocky bottom, he looks at me, extending his hand. "We go down together."
"Together."
With his hand held tightly in mine, we dive under the water, encouraging our bodies to sink in the swell. Many of the bandits disappear under the surface with us. Our bodies are pulled in with the current. Small bubbles of air escape from our clothing and run up our skin. My hair floats around me.
Opening my eyes, salt stings along my lashes. Lincoln watches me right back.Breathe.We think. And as foolish and terrifying as it feels, we open our mouths and suck in a deep breath. Fighting our natural instincts to survive is much easier when we know what’s just on the other side.
Water rushes up as our bodies are suddenly pulled down. Fire travels down my throat, flames licking my lungs. My vision goes dark, the sudden feeling of falling surrounding me, even as the sea clings to me. Everything moves in slow motion, slinking by us. But it also moves so fast, that never in a million years, even with my Fae abilities would I be able to reach out and stop it.
Nothing stops magic, I'm sure. Nothing is going to stop me.
* * *
No evidence of our waterlogged journey holds onto our clothes or our bodies. Not even the strands of our hair are flattened to our faces. A blaze still burns inside my chest, and when I cough liquid comes up with it.
