Page 23 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
“I—” She pressed her lips together, unsure what to say.“There is gossip in the village.”
He lifted a brow, curiosity replacing disdain as it flickered across his handsome features.“What is this gossip?”
“They are calling my father’s return to health a miracle.”
“Is that not what you wished for?A miracle?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then why does that vex you, Serena?”
She sucked in a breath, expelled it.Her breath crystalized in the air.“I’m worried that…the villagers suspect something.”
“I see,” he said.“Have they branded you a witch yet?Do they wish to convict you for a crime you have not committed?Is that why you are here?”
“No!”she gasped.Though it occurred to her Fullhide asked if it was a witch’s brew she gave Papa.“It’s not that.It’s—”
He lifted a brow and stepped closer to her.As he did, she noticed his height.He was at least a head taller than her, which made her tip her head back to look up at him.A fluttering erupted in her chest as her breath pooled in her throat.His gaze searched her face, then his features softened.
“You are frightened.”
“I think the villagers suspect the Well is still here.”
“Itisstill here.”
“But I mean…the villagers don’tknowthat for sure.They think it’s nothing more than folklore.I thought it was, too, until that day I—”
She broke off, thinking of that desperately frigid night as she climbed the mountain with the last shred of hope.And then there he was.But he did not appear immediately.
“You sought the Well of Wishes,” he finished for her.
She nodded.Her gut burned as she peered at him, trying to find the words to tell him…to ask him…to warn him.
His shoulders dropped, and he stepped back toward the Well.“You fear for my safety.”
“Yes,” she replied.
“That’s why you came?”
The lantern glinted in his eyes as he peered at her.She saw emotion there she did not understand.Was he…glad she came?Or annoyed?
“I thought I should warn you.”
His puffed breath fogged before him as he sagged against the edge of the well, looking off into the distance toward the village.“I confess you are the first person I’ve seen in a long time.The first person who dared climb the mountain.Who dared find the Well.”He tipped his head to one side.“How did you know about it?”
She thought of her father’s book collection.
“There are…old tales that speak of a magical wishing well that can grant wishes.I read it in a storybook long ago.”
He scoffed.“A bedtime story, no doubt.Those are for children.”
“But it’s real.Youare real.”She moved toward him and he flinched, as though he did not want her to get so close.“Do you not wish to be released of your burden?”
He narrowed his gaze at her.“What are you playing at, Serena?”
“N-nothing.It’s—I thought…that…” Her words trailed away.She took a step back, clutching the lantern tighter in her hand.It swung at her side, sending a garish slashing of light across the leaf-cluttered ground.
“You thought to break my curse?”He gave a humorless laugh.“Many have tried.None have succeeded.”
