Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“I know.” From his tone, he does. Of course he does. Ezra was his Bunny, come into his life later, but his North Star all the same. Is it any wonder he never questioned the Cŵn Annwn until now when the person he cared most about in the world never questioned them?
Bowen slows. “Here we are.”
I peer into the shadows and huff out a laugh. I don’t see anything. “Where?”
“Here.” He moves forward and carefully steps to the side. “Creek and tree roots. The portal gives off a faint hum that I feel more than I hear. Can’t you feel it?”
Not without trying; that’s not one of my skills. I send a flicker of my magic and shudder at what it tells me. This is old. The tree is an ancient giant of a thing, twisted and crouched over its neighbors. The portal itself is nestled in between two roots as big around as Bowen’s biceps. They tunnel down on either side of a creek that’s barely a trickle of water.
I never would have found this on my own. There’s still no way to know for sure if this portal will take me to my realm or one just like it. “This isn’t going to drop me at the bottom of an ocean, is it?”
“No. The portals move regularly, but they’re all in a similar atmosphere to where we are now.”
Even if I end up back in my realm, I’ll likely be stranded in a strange country without money or a passport. My stuff is all on the Crimson Hag, which means I’m starting from scratch. I’ll have only the spells tattooed into my chest, which should be enough to get me home. If I’m not in my realm, there are other complications to consider, but I won’t know what I’m facing until I walk through.
I’ve been worse off. I don’t know why I’m hesitating now. This is what I wanted. I should be charging into that portal without looking back.
“Bowen …”
He turns to me and pulls me into his arms. “I won’t ask you to stay. I’m not that selfish.”
“You keep saying that and I’m going to start thinking you want me to stay.” My voice is hoarse and, holy fuck, what is this awful feeling in my chest? It’s like he’s reached a big hand through my rib cage and is squeezing my heart.
He kisses me lightly and then steps back. “Go, Evelyn. Learn to hide yourself from gods. Live a long and happy life. I sincerely hope I never see you again.”
This is what I wanted.
I take a breath, square my shoulders, and step toward the portal. Fuck, I’m a fool. It’s the only explanation for me turning back toward him. “Give me your hand.”
He doesn’t argue. He simply holds out his hand and watches as I nick my thumb and trigger one of my lesser-used spells. I press it against his palm. My magic flares violet for a moment and then sinks beneath his skin, forming into a glyph just like the one beneath my right collarbone.
I clear my throat. “If you ever change your mind about staying here, you don’t have to go to a strange realm where you don’t know anyone, even if it’s the one you think you were born in. You can come to this one. If you do, I’ll find you with that.” I point at his hand.
He shakes it out. “It tingles.”
“Yes, dear, it’s magic.” I grin, but the expression falls away. “I don’t care what you say. I hope I see you again. Don’t get killed for your ideals, Captain.”
“Keep running, little witch.” He swoops down and takes my mouth. The last kiss was a gentle goodbye. This one is filled with all the things we’d be fools to say to each other. Stay. Don’t go. Be with me.
It ends far too soon. My head is spinning as I take a step back and then another. “Goodbye.”
A rumble starts beneath my feet. I stop short and my gaze flies to Bowen, but he looks just as confused as I am. This isn’t his magic. “What—”
At my back, the portal swells with power. I barely have time to turn when Bowen sweeps me behind him. I peer around his broad shoulders to see the portal shift color, the shadows between the roots growing deeper and darker. Before, I could see through them to the forest beyond. Even as I watch, the shadows deepen until it’s pitch-black. And then they deepen further, giving the impression of space bending.
Someone’s coming through.
A slim form steps out and it’s like my brain blips. I’m seeing things. Surely I’m hallucinating this moment because there’s no way Lizzie just stepped through the portal dressed in athleisure and carrying a massive rifle across her back.
Reality snaps into place around me. This isn’t a hallucination because of a broken heart. This is happening. Which means we’re in serious danger. I grab Bowen’s shoulder. “Run.”