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Thankfully, my bodyguards declined to shadow me outside again today.
When I passed the maze’s entrance, foreboding prickled my nape just as intensely as before. But slow my steps? No. I taught my students to learn from their mistakes and never let fear stop them. It was time to follow my own advice.
I paused to tie a ribbon to a branch near the entry point, creating a clear return path. Bright yellow fabric fluttering in the breeze, I pressed forward. My mind raced.
A real life immortal, with a temper unlike any other. Supposedly only I had the power to calm him. Me. The non-wife wife. A girl who bailed on her only (semi) long-term boyfriend when they began arguing about salad forks and what to do on weekends.
Another ribbon. This time the color of heather.
But. A berserker. How was I supposed to treat him, knowing this? I navigated the twists and turns of the maze, tying ribbons of green, blue and pink to branches certain to catch my eye upon my return. The air, sun, and exercise helped, each step lessening my anxiety. Time alone outside Castle Berserk had been the right play.
If only my next move were just as easy.
Callen’s hatred would never fade; he didn’t want it to. The truth struck me, and out went my calm. Panic returned in full force. One day, I would push him too far, and he’d erupt.
Behind me, a twig snapped. Gasping, I glanced over my shoulder. No one was there. I picked up the pace in case Callen had resurfaced and now searched for me.
As I turned a corner, my toes wedged beneath a stone. I stumbled to the side, my leg stuck. From knee to little toe, the limb twisted unnaturally, and one after the other, the bones in my foot cracked; I heard them, agony like I’d never known exploding through me. With a yelp, I crashed into the dirt.
A loud ring roared through my ears, accompanied by a tide of dizziness. My stomach protested.
Panting and fighting tears, I sat up and gently worked my foot out from under the rock. The pain intensified, wrenching a groan from me. Ow, ow, ow! This was so much worse! My vision blurred, yet I had no trouble spotting the swelling and darkening of my ankle. I’d never be able to walk to the castle. I doubted I could crawl.
I needed help. Desperate, I withdrew the cell from my pocket. I’d call Callen. Right here, right now, I didn’t care what he was. He’d aided me last time, and he would aid me again. I dialed—argh! No bars. What should I do?
I couldn’t stay here, hoping Callen returned on his own and pulled another rescue out of his nonexistent hat. I had to do something.
Leaves rattled, and more twigs snapped. I stopped breathing. Someone–or thing–approached. Maybe Callen, maybe not.
Should I call out or hide?
Just as I geared to scramble away, Lady Thorn jumped from between two branches.
Relief rained over me. She trotted to my side and curled up, sharing her warmth. Despite my abysmal condition, I recognized the miracle. She’d grown to like me and didn’t want me to die.
Tears welled. I petted the little darling and fell in absolute, utter love with her. “I will protect you with my life,” I vowed, determined to find a way to keep her after the switch without dying of an allergic reaction. We were friends until the end of time now.
We huddled together for minutes—hours?—before leaves rattled again. Hope and dread went head to head. Was this a rescue, or another animal?
Callen appeared, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, and I whimpered.
“You’re here,” I cried. So his features were molded into a fearsome scowl. So what? He’d come for me again.
He headed straight for me. “You didna have to pretend to hurt yourself to avoid attending another clan meeting. If you donna wish to perform your sworn duty to me, I’ll allow you to stay home. That is your shame, no’ mine.”
Oh, that burned. “Look at my ankle, you idiot!” The command exploded from me, causing Lady Thorn to dart away. I reached for her, crying, “My precious! Come back!”
As Callen blinked with surprise, my uncharacteristic burst of temper and emotion quickly deflated, and I released another whimper. “My apologies. I’m sure you’re super smart most days. Just help me, okay, without being your usual snarky self. Please, Callen. I know you aren’t my biggest fan, but I need pain meds. And an ice pack. Probably major surgery and a cast. But I’ll settle for a shred of compassion. Please, Callen,” I repeated. “I don’t want to beoverly dramatic, but I’m almost positive gangrene is setting in.”
His gaze darted to my ankle and narrowed before returning to my face. Silent, he fisted and released his hands. An eternity of seconds ticked. Every blip of my internal clock felt the same: awful.
Finally, he bent and scooped me against his broad chest. Relief brought a fresh well of tears as he navigated the twists and turns of the maze, aiming for the entrance of the castle.
Ignoring the servants and guards we passed, each gawking at us, he carried me to my bedroom, bypassed the locked door without pause and settled me upon the mattress, where Thora already waited. She humphed at me, still miffed by my outburst, and I muttered an apology.
Callen fluffed two pillows beneath my ankle. After gently removing my shoes, he stalked from the room. My eyelids slid closed. I breathed in deeply through my nose, then out my mouth, attempting to control the pain.
To my astonishment, Callen returned and eased to my side, careful not to brush his hip against mine as the mattress dipped. With his palm beneath my skull, he helped me partake from a glass of…sweet tea? Whatever it was, I liked it. Amazing warmth spread through me, leaving a tide of peace and wellbeing in its wake. If that wasn’t wonderful enough, he gently slathered my foot and ankle with a layer of cooling gel.
