As we swept over the path, the forest wrapped around us, concealing us under its canopy. Torin guided the horse onto a narrow path off the main route. Mist twined around us as we galloped deeper into the forest, and Torin steered the horse to a trail that wended between the trunks.
“Oh, my gods. You did it, Torin.” Everything had happened so quickly that I’d nearly forgotten about the actual escape. It almost seemed like part of a dream. “How, exactly, did you get a sword that could cut through walls?”
“A gift from the gods to their anointed king. I was able to open a portal large enough to pull it through. I couldn’t keep it open long enough to get us out.” I felt Torin shift behind me, and his breath heated my neck. “What the fuck happened to your shoulder? Was it the demon’s magic?”
I shook my head. “Yes. That’s probably when you heard me scream. Then it got infected, and Morgant came back to heal it.”
“Did he take your dress from you?” A steely violence laced his voice. “I already want to rip his lungs out and hang him from the castle gates, but if he forced himself on you, I will find a slower method of death.”
“No. I took my clothes off to wash them in the rain. I really have been craving a bath. And food. So much food.” I leaned back into Torin. “Oh, God, I kept dreaming about ice cream.”
“I was dreaming about apples,” he said quietly.
I turned my head back to him, and my face brushed against his. Something about the feel of his warm cheek against mine made me aware of my utter nakedness all over again.
His thumb rested just over my hip bone, and it brushed over my skin once, like he was trying to soothe me.
With my thighs, I clenched tightly to the horse. “Any idea where we are going?” I asked.
“Not really. But I want to get us away from the castle and maybe find some shelter. Then I want to find the Veiled One. And I’ll feed you apples.”
He sounded slightly delirious, but I was drooling anyway. “Apples,” I repeated. “Wait. Back up. Who is the Veiled One?”
He breathed in deeply. “According to the legends, she’s an oracle who lives among the Unseelie. They call her the Veiled One. She’s like the Unseelie counterpart to our oracle, Modron. Modron can only see the past, and they say the Veiled One can see the future. Some say the crones are old gods, or spirits of the land itself. I don’t really know what they are, but if anyone can tell us how to get out of here, it would be her. I just don’t exactly have any idea where to find her. And when we do find her, I don’t know if she might murder us.”
“She has powerful magic?”
He inhaled sharply. “I believe so.”
My muscles burned from the exertion, racing as we were at a breakneck speed. “Do you see any signs of shelter?”
“I’m not looking for that yet. If we find our way to a river, it will help to hide our scent from trackers.”
The air was cooler now, and goosebumps rose over my bare skin. I nestled back into Torin for warmth and heard a low murmur rise from his throat.
His fingers were tight on my waist .
Around us, moonlight pierced the canopy, streaming down to the dark forest floor and dappling it with silver flecks.
At last, a river rushed between the trees, sparkling with light.
“There we are,” Torin murmured, guiding the horse into the water.
The horse galloped into the shallow stream, and cold spray washed over me. I licked my lips, my throat still burning with thirst. The rain had been nice, but not nearly enough. Every drop of river water was a blessing from the gods.
Torin’s steely chest warmed me from behind. With me secure in his grasp, my muscles slowly started to relax and melt into him. For the moment, at least, I felt safe with him. But when it came down to it, we were probably still stuck in this world. What were the chances of finding this veiled woman? And if we did, would she help us?
It felt like chasing smoke.
But as long as Torin had hope, I’d keep my dark thoughts to myself. I couldn’t bear to see the look on his face if I told him I thought we could be trapped.
9
AVA
Abriny wind swept over us, nipping at my exposed skin as we raced through the river. From the salty taste in the air, I thought we must be near the sea. A thick fog billowed around us.
When Torin reined in the horse, the sound of rushing water roared like a waterfall nearby. “Ava, that might be an abandoned house over there.”
A gust of sea-kissed wind swept over us, sweeping away some of the fog. Between the tree trunks, I could make out a stone structure that overlooked the cliff, a small cottage with darkened windows.