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Chapter 17
An early morning mist clung to the circle of trees surrounding the twisted tree Blade had mentioned.
“Wait here,” Fin said, climbing down from his horse and taking the reins. “Let me investigate first.”
I glanced at Gill and Nemo. Both of them nodded at their leader.
My stomach wrung as Fin secured his steed to a low-hanging branch and wandered to the edge of the circle, examining it.
“Be careful,” I said. “What if the collector has set traps?”
Fin returned to me immediately. I was hypnotized by his tall, confident, strong stride and nearly fell off my horse. He clasped my hand, bringing me back to reality.
“I won’t endanger you or my men by sending you all in there.” He kissed my hand. Again, he left to stand by the edge of the trees.
Fin bent down and placed a hand on the ground. The sonic blast he sent out into the circle reverberated through me.
Our horses whinnied nervously and shifted backward.
“Steady,” Gill barked at his steed, but it still twitched with nerves.
The signal that returned, and which I’d picked up, was weak, and I didn’t get a good picture of their exact locations because the sonic blast had not originated from me, but I received a vision of five objects buried inside the circle of trees. Probably traps set up to prevent anyone from entering.
Fin applied more pressure to the ground, and it vibrated more fiercely.
This time, the horses were well and truly spooked. Gill’s stead trotted a few steps and shook its head. Nemo’s took off, and nothing he did—yelling, yanking at its reins—made it stop. Fin’s horse tossed its head and yanked at the reins holding it to the tree.
Mine rose onto its hind legs and tossed me backward. The layers of leaves softened my fall, but I still received several bruises, my ribs aching with every breath. Thanks to our shifter ability, merfolk were a little more resilient than humans were. I wondered how much worse this would feel for a human.
Gill was by my side, running his hands through my hair and rubbing my chest. Gill. His beautiful brown eyes were stained with panic. He squeezed my hand so tight, his grip cut off the circulation to my fingers.
Fin was at my side, carrying a leather flask full of water. “Roll her over and calm the horses.”
“Yes, Captain.” Ever so gently, Gill turned me onto my back.
Water trickled down my spine. My skin responded to the liquid, absorbing it, harnessing its healing power.
“More,” I said, the words costing me pain.
Fin dribbled more onto my skin.
My fins and scales demanded to be released. No. Not now. I forced the energy of the water into the bruised parts of me—into my muscles and deeper into my spine. My body buzzed from the healing power of the water.
“All of it,” I panted, desperate for it.
Fin squeezed my hand tightly and let the rest flow.
My body responded like a greedy shark, gulping it all up. Within moments, the pain in my chest had dulled, and I was grateful for the relief.
“Can she move?” Gill asked.
“Don’t be silly.” My voice came out hoarse. I demonstrated for him, moving my legs and arms, testing them. “See?”
“My apologies, Princess.” The strain in Fin’s voice told me of his regret. He clasped my hand and pressed it to his cheek.
Gill grabbed Fin’s shirt and gave him a good yank. “Don’t do that again, Captain. She could have broken her neck.”
I needed to stop this before it elevated into an argument. “I’m fine, Gill.” I sat up and put a hand to his chest.
