Don’t draw attention to yourself.
That has been Eason’s first rule ever since the attack. A rule I’ve followed to the letter.
Eason and I have lived a few different places over the years. First the inn, just until we got our bearings. Then Eason rented a tiny apartment above the butchers. After he saved enough money, we moved to the cottage at the edge of Mae’s property.
The only reason we can afford the place is because Eason helps the elderly woman with odd jobs around her house.
I continue onward, avoiding the village square by taking back alleys to the apothecary.
A woman stands outside the blue and white storefront, surrounded by baskets of dried herbs and small vials of various tinctures. One of them has a label claiming the list of nonsensical ingredients wards off bad spirits. Perhaps it would work on Mae.
“Only five coppers,” the woman says with a gap-toothed smile.
Too bad I have no money to spare. Back in the basket it goes. “Do you have any hair dye?”
She nods toward the shop. “Just inside, next to the counter. While you’re in there, be sure to grab yourself a mask for tonight’s Samhain festival.”
My heart skids to a halt.
Did she saytonight’sfestival? That can’t be right. “The festival was last night.”
The woman’s mousy brown hair flutters when she shakes her head. “Nay, lass. Samhain is tonight.”
Ten
ALLETTE
I’m notsure how long I stare at the woman, her words pounding through my skull, growing louder. Stronger. If Samhain is tonight, that means Eason mixed up the dates. With all the preparations for this trip and his long, exhausting nights at work, is it any wonder? If I’d been less of a hermit and left the house, I would’ve known the bloody date.
Now he is on his way to Dullen, and I have no way of reaching him. What should I do? Should I stay here?
My stomach twists, and I swear I can feel myself being pulled toward the sky. Almost as if an invisible tether has wrapped around my torso, demanding I return home.
I can’t stay when there is a chance to escape.
Don’t I owe it to myself—to Eason—to try?
Guilt settles in my chest next to my dead heart.
What if someonedoescome through? When Eason returns from his trip and finds me gone, he’ll be devastated. For four years, he has provided food and shelter, comfort and support. He picked up my broken pieces, mending them as best he could. All those years ago, he had the chance to abandon me, and yet he stayed. Saved me from those terrible men. Healed me with the last of his magic. Damned himself to this realm.
How can I abandon him now?
Only, I wouldn’t abandon him.
If by some miracle I made it to Kumulus, I would be sure to send someone back through the portal next year.
This may be the only chance to save us both.
What good am I anyway? He might claim to love me, but love should be reciprocated. As much as I’ve learned to care for Eason, I do not love him, and I never will.
That part of me was stolen along with my wings and my mate.
More than likely, I’ll end up sitting by that circle of stones for yet another night and returning to the cottage just as I have every other year, and Eason will be none the wiser.
The vendor gives me an odd look and asks if I’m all right. I mutter an apology and continue inside the store to purchase a vial of hair dye. Sure enough, colorful Samhain masks hang on racks in the window. “Is tonight Samhain?” I ask the man behind the till, needing to be sure before I let this warmth in my chest bloom into hope.
The man nods, taking my money for the dye and tucking it into the drawer. “That it is. Will you be needing a mask yourself?” He takes down a bluebird one. “This would go lovely with your eyes.”