Chapter 3 Shadows Between Us

Elaria's POV

Run! Every fiber of my being screamed it, but my legs felt like they were stuck in mud. My breath was coming in short gasps, and my heart felt like it was trying to break free from my chest as the darkness seemed to close in. I just knew there was something nearby, something old, something...watching us.

Rowan was next to me, breathing just as hard. He had his dagger out, even though we both knew that regular weapons wouldn't do anything against whatever was hiding in the shadows. Behind us was the cursed lake, still and quiet, like it was holding its breath, too.

I turned to Rowan and touched his arm. We need to get out of here. Now!

He didn't answer right away, studying the trees. His eyes were wide, filled with...something. I couldn't tell if it was fear or if he was interested in whatever was out there. He felt it, too, whatever it was.

A whisper floated through the air, sounding soft but carrying something truly nasty with it. My wolf self wanted to take over, desperate to get out. Rowan stepped closer, and I could feel his body heat against the biting cold that was getting into my bones.

And then it moved.

A shape slipped between the trees, like fog, always changing, not quite solid. I gasped and grabbed Rowan's wrist tighter.

Elaria, he said quietly, his mouth close to my ear. Don't move a muscle.

I didn't. I couldn't even if I wanted to.

A gust of wind blew through the clearing, carrying the smells of wet dirt and something else...something rotting. The shape stopped just past the trees. It didn't seem to have eyes, but I could feel it staring right at me, like it was seeing everything.

Rowan got ready to fight. He turned his head and touched his forehead to mine for a second. It felt like he was promising something, and it kept me from losing it. I breathed out and grabbed his shirt, trying to hold on to something real.

When I say, he whispered.

I nodded.

The wind howled, and the thing rushed us.

Rowan pulled me back as the thing jumped forward, changing its shape as it did. A clawed hand swiped where I had been standing and went right through the air. We fell to the ground, and Rowan rolled on top of me to protect me.

My heart was pounding. I could feel his weight and smell him – like woodsmoke and something only he smells like. Before I could think, he touched my face and turned it to him.

Stay focused, Elaria, he said. We'll get through this together.

He sounded rough, but he sounded real, and for the first time since we got to the lake, I felt it – something pulling us together. It felt like a fire that needed air, ready to burn everything.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the shadow attacked again. Rowan's body tightened over me, the world was spinning, going dark, and I could feel the cold, hear my own heart.

Then everything went silent.

The thing was gone.

But we weren't by ourselves anymore.

Something else was watching us from the edge of the trees. And then it spoke.

The queen is home, at last.

The words felt powerful. I stopped breathing.

Rowan reached for his dagger again, but I stopped him and shook my head. I didn't think we could win another fight against this thing.

I looked at the person stepping out of the trees.

And I whispered, Who are you?

The stranger smiled.

Your past. Your future. And what ends you.

A sharp breath burns my throat as Rowan's fingers press just a little on my wrist, not too hard, not unsure. It was firm enough to make my arm tingle. I should move away. I should tell him that no one gets to touch me if I don't want them to, not even him. But I can't make myself say it because of something else.

Say it again. He sounds low and rough, like rocks rubbing together.

I look at him, expecting to see him joking around, but he was very serious. It's like he's looking for something in me that he doesn't even know is there.

My heart speeds up. Say what?

He holds on a little tighter. Say that you don't want me around.

He's pushing me.

It gets hotter between us. I should tell him that I don't have time for this, tell him I don't care what people think of me, that I have bigger issues than how he makes me feel.

But I don't because that would be a lie.

The fire is behind me, making shadows on the walls, making him look sharper. He's ready to say something, like he's waiting.

There's something I need to decide, but I don't know what to do.

Let go, Rowan, I whisper.

He just stays still for a moment. Then, slowly, he lets go, his fingers brushing against my skin. The feeling of him touching me is gone, and it's suddenly cold.

You hesitate, he says, sounding like he won.

I move away because I need some space. You went too far.

He looks at me, studying me. Maybe. But you didn't move.

I hate him.

Someone knocking on the door breaks the moment. I tense up, and try to think clearly again. This can't happen, whatever it is.

Come in, I say, sounding normal.

Aldric walks in, looking worried. There's been another attack.

Rowan gets ready, and whatever we were talking about is gone.

Where? I asked.

Aldric looks grim. Closer this time. Just past the river.

We all stay quiet. The enemy is getting closer.

Rowan breathes out. Then we need to hurry.

I nod, putting everything to the side. This...whatever this pull is between us has to wait. My kingdom is in danger, and I can't let it be taken over.