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Briar was alive, and Forrest hadn’t wanted to keep this secret from me. He had been forced to do so. I knew what it was like to be trapped in a bargain.
"What are you thinking?" Briar asked desperately.
For a moment, I am angry. "I think you should have trusted your family. I think you should have been honest."
She studied my face. "Have you fallen in love with the Fae King?"
"I… I have," I said slowly.
She frowned. "Then I suppose I have to tell you. The unseelie advisor discovered Forrest’s secret.”
I felt sick. “Hawthorne?” I asked.
“Yes, I believe that was his name. Do you know him?”
I sighed. “Apparently not.” Forrest had tried to warn me. Why hadn’t I listened to him?
“He told the Unseelie Queen. The island is at war. It’s actually why I’m here. To warn you. A storm is coming, the worst we’ve seen in over a century. You need to take Magnolia and Papa and flee to the mountains. The entire kingdom will be underwater by tomorrow at nightfall."
I wasn’t listening to Briar anymore. The news on the unseelie hit me like a gust of wind, stealing my breath. They knew Forrest’s secret. The unseelie were making their move. They would seize the isle and destroy the mainland.
And him. They would kill him. Something seized my heart.
As strongly as I knew the storm was coming, I also knew I could not lose him. I had to return and fight for him, for us. Even if it killed me.
"Briar, I need you to wrap my ankle, and then I need you to listen to me. We’re going to save the island and the kingdom. And more importantly, Forrest, Papa, and Maggie. But I can’t do it without you. You can’t run this time."
She clasped both my hands in hers and looked me dead in the eye. "I’m ready."
By the time I reached the fae market, my entire gown was soaked through and my ankle throbbed. A bolt of lightning split open the sky, and for a moment, the shadowy market was illuminated. There was no one here.
Most of the tables were empty, but some had been outright abandoned. Their wares left to proudly swing in the powerful gusts of wind. Several colorful handkerchiefs blew past me. Just outside the market, the ocean swells were growing larger and larger. No one in their right mind would wait here to be swallowed up.
I wouldn’t be waiting either.
I hurried through the market and exited out onto the docks. The heavy rain showed no signs of stopping. Several boats had already been ripped out to sea and were being tossed around like toys in a bathtub. I watched as one of their sails was shredded and flew to and fro, like a victory flag.
I walked until I reached the end of the dock. There was an old, rusty metal ladder leading to an ancient dock below. I climbed downward, my ankle screaming with each weight-bearing step.
Each boat had a rope tied to a metal fitting on the dock. I was looking for a very specific fitting—one shaped like a conch shell. The rain was so thick now, I had to kneel down and check each one.
Finally, I found it.
I blinked the rain out of my eyes and stared out at the sea. Several feet away from the dock, I saw a vicious whirlpool churning violently.
I remembered the journey to the island–the dark, eerie depths of the sea, the feeling of my lungs burning for air, the water imps pulling my hair and tearing at my flesh, and the palpable fear of dying. I never wanted to relive those moments.
Yet, there was something I feared even more–losing him.
So, I closed my eyes and jumped.
CHAPTER 42
The Stolen Bride
Itried not to think of the icy cold water or the chance of drowning. I tried not to think of Briar and whether she would be able to convince Papa to call off his soldiers and retreat to the safety of the mountains.
Instead, I thought of where I wanted to go—to him.
