“It’s not fair,”Iwhisper.Thewords come out beforeIcan stop them.“Ididn’t ask to be born this way.”
My voice shakes, andIsqueeze my eyes shut.
Theron says nothing but his grip on my hand tightens, offering silent support.
“They gave me up,”Igo on, the words spilling out now, unstoppable.“Myparents…they didn’t want me.BecauseI’ma half-breed.NotfullyFae—not worth anything.”
My chest aches, tight and heavy butIcan’t stop talking—can’t stop telling the truth that’s breaking my heart.ThetruthI’vecarried with me all my life.
“I don’t belong anywhere,”Iwhisper.“Notin the temple, and not in the world beyond it.I’venever had a real family.Neverhad anyone who…who chose me.Whocared for me.ThePriestess-Sistersonly took me in because they had to—theNatureTemplecan’t refuse a baby girl when she’s laid on its steps.It’smy home—but only because no one else wants me…and no one is ever going to want me.”
A tear slips free despite my efforts.Thenanother and another.Theyfall into the river, vanishing instantly into the rushing water.
My eyes are stinging and blurred—so blurred thatI’msurprised to see a beaming light.Igasp softly as a crystal sphere flickers into existence before me, hovering just above the surface of the river.Itglows faintly, as if lit from within, its surface shimmering with soft, shifting colors.
“It worked,”Ibreathe, swiping at my eyes with my free hand.
I let go ofTheron’shand and reach for it, pulling the stopper free.ThemomentIdip it into the water, the river seems to surge slightly, as if responding to the magic.
I hold it steady, watching as it fills—not just with water, but with something more.Somethingbrighter…something that feels almost alive.Maybeit’s the truthIspoke—the one that still burns inside me.
I seal the crystal container carefully and watch as the sphere glows brighter—almost blindingly so—and then vanishes from my hands entirely.
I breathe a sigh of pure relief asTherontakes my hand again.
“You did it, baby,” he says.
“Wedid it,”Isay, a small, relieved laugh escaping me.“Thankyou for coming with me.”
“Of course.Couldn’tlet you go out in the river alone.Comeon—we should get going.”
“All right.”Ifeel light now—free in a wayIcan’t explain.Maybethe truthIspoke needed to be said aloud—maybe that’s the first step to healing the loneliness and rejectionI’vefelt all my life.”
This quest was surprisingly easy—much more so than the terrifying heights of theNorthernMountains.Ofcourse, it was painful to speak my truth, but it didn’t nearly kill me.
My thoughts about the quest for the sacred water have barely formed in my mind when the river changes.Ithappens so suddenlyIdon’t even have time to react.
One moment the current is fast but manageable…
And the next, a massive swell of water surges toward us from upstream, rising like a wall.
“Theron—!”Igasp, pointing.“OhmyGoddess!”
He’s just looking over his shoulder to see whatI’mpointing at when the wave hits us—hard.
The force of it slams into me, tearing my hand from his beforeIcan tighten my grip.Theworld tilts violently as my feet are ripped out from under me, the icy water swallowing me whole.
I hear him shout my name—“Elowen!”—and then the river drags me under, andIcan’t hear or see anything anymore.
33
THERON
Oh fuck—Ilost her!Ifuckinglosther.
The current rips past me, dragging at my legs, slamming into my chest hard enough to steal my breath.Istumble, go under for a moment, and come up choking, water rushing into my mouth and nose asIfight to stay upright.
“Elowen!”Ishout.