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“Hey, it’s okay,” Philippa said. “Calm down.”
My ears started ringing, and Philippa’s voice sounded like she was far away from me.
“Lorraine, you’re going to be okay. Just breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Come on, you can do it.”
I nodded and did as she commanded. I knew I had to get myself to calm down. I was too worked up, and a panic attack wouldn’t make anything better.
“There we go,” Philippa said gently as my breathing slowed to a more normal rate. “You’re going to be okay. I know it’s a lot to take in, but you should look at the bright side.”
“What bright side?” I asked dully.
“I know the magic is scary and it’s a concept you don’t understand yet, but it’s what’s keeping you safe. The vale that Ash protects includes this part of the forest where his cabin is, and it’s submerged in magic, hiding you away from not only the real world but most of the realm you’re in, too. It’s why Ash brought you here, so you can be safe until all this is taken care of.”
I nodded, listening to Philippa’s words, forcing myself to understand what she was saying. “He should have told me,” I said.
“I know,” Philippa agreed. “It’s not so simple.”
“Not so simple? I don’t agree with you.” I got up.
“Where are you going?” Philippa asked.
“I need to talk to him, to find out what’s going on.” I was angry now. I preferred anger over panic and fear, over thinking I was crazy. Ash had known all this time what was going on. He should have been open with me so that I knew where I stood at least.
“Lorraine,” Philippa tried, but I left her in the cabin and marched across the clearing toward the forest. When I stepped onto the path that led into the trees, I was acutely aware of the magic I passed through. It was the barrier Philippa had talked about that kept me safe.
Ash had a hell of a lot of explaining to do.
ChapterTwenty
Ash
“She has a point, you know,” Rowan said.
I snorted. “Yeah, and I’m supposed to be moved by her telling me how precious I am? No, thanks. I don’t fall for flattery.”
Rowan leaned his shoulder against his tree. “You’re full of shit.”
“Thanks for that.”
“I’m serious. Artemis cares about you and your well-being. Not that you don’t know that—she didn’t give you a second chance just because she felt like being generous. She wants you to be okay.”
“Yeah? Well, I am okay. She doesn’t have to butt into my business all the time.”
Rowan stayed silent, only raising his eyebrows.
“Don’t,” I said.
“I didn’t say anything!”
“You were thinking it.”
Rowan burst out laughing. “And what was I thinking, oh mind reader?”
“You were thinking that she should worry about me because I’m looking for trouble hanging out with Dolus.”
Rowan shook his head, a smile playing around his lips. “I just think you’re making a mistake, trying to recreate yourself into something you’re just… not. I mean, come on. I know you’re all battered and bruised and bored out of your brackets, but do you really think doing something else than being who you are is going to change it?”
“That’s the plan.”
