Page 91 of The Unseen Hour

I let out a low moan as the water warmed, soaking into my skin and chasing away the constricting pain.

“It’s working,” Orion whispered.

The reddish-purple of the injury faded until it was almost entirely gone. I let out a sigh of relief, finally able to breathe without pain.

“There. Now we know we can use it in small doses. You should have some as well.”

“Yes. Fine.” Orion responded, but his gaze was still glued to my side. The blue flecks surged like flames, bright against the grey.

“Ry?”

“I was just … thinking about the cavern. Before we got interrupted, that is.”

I smiled.

“I haven’t forgotten. And I stand by what I said, but maybe it’s best to wait until after we have the baton?”

He scowled.

“You’re angry at me,” I guessed.

He shook his head.

“No. I agree with you. But this is one more reason for me to hate Charon. For nearly a century I’ve had to bury most of my feelings to survive this place. Having you here has brought them back to the surface, but I’m thankful for that. I’d become as listless as the Shades, but now I actually feel real hope. Admittedly anger as well, but all the fury is for Charon. Assuming Death’s plan does work, I’d like to have a hand in doling out whatever consequences she’s got in mind.”

“You don’t think losing his hour will be enough?”

“I know it can’t be, if we don’t want to be looking over our shoulder forever, but it’s a start.”

CHAPTER 38

We ended up using perhaps a third of the waterskin for our more serious injuries, or at least the ones that would have the largest impact on mobility.

After taking shifts to sleep, we started our trek for the beach. The rest of my bruises did nothing but blossom throughout the day, tender to the touch and as colorful as any dress I’d ever owned. Still, things could have been far worse.

I’d wanted an adventure my entire life. I wasn’t going to complain, now that I was on one with Orion and both of us had made it through the rapids.

However many blasted gods there actually were be praised, we didn’t run into any large animals. We wouldn’t have stood a chance, and I didn’t want to try escaping into the water again. I would have liked to see the tree hoppers and assure myself they were okay, but they were nowhere to be seen either.

The farther south we got, the sparser the trees became, until we didn’t see even the familiar gray squirrels. We kept close to the shoreline, following the river as it wound its way south, convinced it would eventually lead us to the sea Death had mentioned.

When we woke on the third morning, and after a breakfast of actual roots Orion had foraged, I did a bit of mental calculating.

“I’d say we’re officially into May.”

Orion nodded.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“If I were back in Fox Haven, we’d be headed to the capital and preparing for the first events of the season.”

“You don’t miss it, do you?”

I scrunched up my nose.

“Not most of it. But I do miss my friends. I wonder if Bram or Temple will propose to anyone this season. I wonder if Thomas will even be in town, or if he’ll be traveling. I wonder if Charlotte’s married yet or not.”

More than anything, I wanted to make sure they were all well and to apologize for any hurt I’d caused them.