Still, he did not complain
“Careful, Ryllae,” he murmured, holding my hand as he led me over a patch of ice.
Moving with care so as not to slip, I dipped my head once I was back on the snow. “Thank you.”
Daegal smiled. “Always.”
We walked in silence some more, the Fortune Elf stopping numerous times to help me over the difficult terrain. He seemed to know I needed the quiet right now.
He always knew what I needed.
Most nights, Daegal and Xander talked around the fire late into the night, sharing stories about their travels together. I didn’t say much—after all, prison life wasn’t exactly good conversation fodder, and I didn’t have much else to add.
The best part of each day was getting to sleep beside Daegal. No matter where we stopped, he held me against him, infusing my body with his warmth as we snuggled beneath a shared blanket. Nothing had happened—we were too tired, and there was no privacy—but I dreamed about him every time I closed my eyes.
That connection between us grew stronger. It kept me going, even as the simple act of picking up one foot and putting it in front of the other felt like it would be too difficult.
The others had so much more energy than me. Even Maiela, who had been stabbed repeatedly mere months ago, was in better physical shape than me. I probably would have found that frustrating if I wasn’t trying so hard to remain sane and in one piece.
Using her magic, Aileana cleared a path through the forest. We stopped repeatedly so she could pour her ribbons into the earth, helping the land. Daegal and Maiela both Looked ahead multiple times a day to See what was coming. Kysha healed small wounds and provided light late at night.
But me?
I’d seen rocks that were more useful than me. All I could do was practice pulling on my magic. But there was no use for it. Not right now. I played with the ribbons, getting used to the way they felt in my hands, before I drew them back into myself.
With every passing day, I danced closer to that ledge of madness. Like an old enemy, one that had haunted me for many years, insanity called my name. Sometimes it was a nameless, faceless voice. Other times, I heard my father yelling at me. Taunting me. Madness waited for me like an eager puppy, eager for me to slip up when I got too tired.
Time slipped on.
We walked and walked and walked. The others talked quietly among themselves up ahead, the distance between us increasing as I struggled to keep up.
When the sun was high in the sky, Daegal squeezed my hand. “Would you like some water, Princess? It’s been a few hours since we stopped to drink.”
Until he said that, I didn’t even realize I was thirsty. That was how bad I was at this. I wasn’t even paying attention to my bodily cues.
“Yes,” I replied, rubbing a gloved hand over my neck. “I am.”
I had the food in my bag, but both of our bottles of water were in Daegal’s pack. Nodding, he slipped his hand out of mine. Not even ten seconds went by before I took a step, yelping as my foot caught on a piece of ice. One moment, snow-covered pine trees were in front of me. The next, I was staring at the clear blue sky.
“Ryllae!” A thump came from beside me, and I blinked as Daegal’s concerned eyes appeared in my line of sight. “Are you alright?”
His hands swept over my body, starting at my neck and slowly making their way down as he checked for injuries.
Shaking my head, I pushed myself up. “I’m fine, Daegal. I’ve injured nothing except my pride.”
He frowned. “Are you sure, Princess?”
I took a tentative step forward and managed to stay on my feet despite the pain radiating through my body. Forcing a smile on my face, I nodded stiffly.
“Perfect,” I lied.
Daegal eyed as though he didn’t believe me, but to his credit, he didn’t push me. Instead, he just pulled out the bottles of water, handing one to me. After we had both drunk our fill, he offered me his hand once more.
This time, we walked even slower than before. The snow crunched beneath our feet and the wind blew, the steady symphony of the forest keeping us company as we continued this never-ending trek. Every step, every ache, every bruise taunted me, reminding me of my failures. I couldn’t even walk in a straight line without falling.
You worthless female.Father’s voice was so loud and sounded so real that I jolted. My heart pounded and my eyes widened, darting around the forest. But there was nothing but trees and snow.
See?That same voice crooned, laughing.You’re nothing but a problem.