“What?”
“The bastard didn’t realize it until it was almost too late. The land needs to be fed by Earth Elves or it dies. Surely you’ve felt the call of the earth?”
“I hadn’t until…”
Until I’d escaped.
The unspoken words swirled around the clearing.
He nodded, his eyes glimmering. “The king kept you surrounded by prohiberis for your entire life. It blocks the call of the wild.”
I lifted my arms, studying the bracelets. Fenris had just confirmed everything I’d thought, but to hear it spoken out loud… the weight of the manacles felt heavier than ever before.
Returning my gaze to the elf, I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t have any on you.”
“Not anymore.” Fenris rubbed his wrists as though invisible shackles bound them together. He shook his head, shaking the cloud of memories that seemed to have settled upon him. “Come on, we have to go.”
“What? No. I’m not going back.” I stood, shaking my head as I took a step back. I hit a stump, and my fingers flicked behind my back as I grabbed a piece of wood that I’d seen earlier. “You shouldn’t either. You basically just told me you’re as much a prisoner as I am. What if there are more Earth Elves out there? We could find them.”
A flash of longing passed over Fenris’ face before he shook his head, scoffing. “Don’t be ridiculous. There is no one else. You and I are the only ones left.”
“No, we’re not.” I shook my head, my eyes widening. “I was in Thyr and the priests executed an Earth Elf just a few weeks ago! He couldn’t have been the only one left. We can work together, the two of us, and find freedom. What do you say?”
I stared at Fenris, watching as my words settled upon him. A beat passed, then two, and a sliver of hope grew within me. Was he considering it? Could this be the answer I was looking for?
Then a branch snapped in the distance, shattering the silence into a million pieces. He shook his head, his voice hard. “You are coming back with me. If you don’t, High King Edgar will…” Fenris’ voice trailed off, and he paled. “It doesn’t matter what he will do.” His voice hardened. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
I widened my stance, leaning forward slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that, Fenris. We could have been friends, you and I.”
His gaze narrowed, and he cocked his head. “What are you—”
Before he could finish his thought, I flung the piece of wood in the air toward the male. It smacked him in the head, and he cursed.
Turning on my heel, I ignored the stinging of branches as I fled. I ran through the trees and over fallen logs, past thickets and brambles as my heart pounded.
I ran as my lungs burned in my chest and my heart pounded. I was so focused on getting away that I didn’t hear him until it was too late. Suddenly, the forest floor softened beneath my feet.
Brown roots erupted all around me, grabbing onto my feet and dragging me backward. I sankintothe ground; the earth solidifying around my ankles.
I was trapped.
“No!” I cried out as I tumbled to the ground.
A panting Fenris appeared a moment later. He held a hand to his still-bleeding head as he stared down at me.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said almost mournfully.
He twisted his free hand, and a green glow erupted from his palm. Instantly, the ground softened once more, and the roots released their hold on me. I squealed as he reached down, grabbing my elbow. I squirmed against his grip, but it was no use. Even injured, he was much stronger than I was.
Even so, I wasn’t going to go with him without a fight. So I kicked and screamed as he dragged me back to the camp. This male, who could have been an ally, brought me back to my captors.
“The bitch tried to run,” Fenris spat as he shoved me towards the prince.
I stumbled but remained upright. Clenching my fists at my sides, I dared a look at the Red Shadow. When I saw the look on his face, I knew I’d pay for my insolence in pain.
But I didn’t care.
Because there was an ache in my chest with Xander’s name on it and I knew it was only going to get worse.