Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
This was heavy and woodsy—soft and hidden.
The heartlink before was sharp with silver threads, cutting into our spirits with fear and tragedy. Now, that silver thread warmed and glowed a rich golden gleam, pouring out of my heart, spilling through my bones, and shimmering over my skin.
He jolted as my silent gratefulness slipped through his mind.
His eyes widened, pouring to the brim with relief, regret, and love.
It was just him and me as we stood in an oasis that no one could breach.
For the longest heartbeat, we just stared.
The awareness of Zetas’s spirit tickled my heart, wanting to join the joy of conversing. Natim’s presence nuzzled against me, and Syn’s playful wildness tangled with my pulse.
I opened my heart wider.
Gathering up the creatures who meant so much to me, I hugged them close, then shivered with pure joy as Darro’s husky, smoky voice filled my mind.
“I’m so, so sorry, Runa.” He continued to stare at me across the clearing, his dark-grey stare burning with so many things. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just...” He shrugged and it broke my heart. “I can’t control it when he touches you.”
“I know.” I stepped toward him, but he took a step back toward the grasslands. “Don’t. I’m still...struggling. I don’t know if I can keep a-hold on it. It’s taking everything I have not to let loose what’s inside me.”
“What’s inside you?” I asked silently, smiling at Zetas as she trotted toward me and licked my hand. Her spirit slinked around mine, full of hellos and happiness and vows to bite Aktor if I commanded it. Natim headbutted my other hand, so much taller than a month ago, his baby antlers now almost at chest height. The young stag vowed the same, making me laugh with images of him double barrelling Aktor to the ground and relieving his bladder all over him.
“Death,” Darro’s reply was quiet and black. “Death is inside me—”
“Runa?”
I blinked as a hand looped around my wrist.
The silence shattered.
Sound rushed back in.
I winced as the overwhelming noise of everything rang painfully in my ears.
I lost touch with Natim, Syn, and Zetas.
The pathway between me and Darro slammed closed.
My heart hurt at the sudden emptiness, and I flinched as I glanced at the fingers holding my wrist. “Solin.” I looked up into my adoptive guardian’s worried stare. “What—?”
“Are you well, child?” He bowed close. “You’re just standing there as if you’ve been stung by a paralysing yital beetle.” He peered into my gaze. “Do you need to lie down?”
“She’s fine, Spirit Master,” Aktor grunted, still rubbing his side and throwing a withering look in Darro’s direction. “Just a small misunderstanding. Let’s return to the wanderer. I want to hear his tales.”
Solin paused, waiting for my assurance.
Slowly, I nodded. “I’m fine, Solin.”
He exhaled a huge gust of relief and then uncharacteristically pulled me into a hug. I stiffened, but only for a moment. I might harbour a few betrayals where Solin was concerned, but I also loved this elderly Nhil.
With another exhale, Solin took my hand and guided me toward the top of the clan. He squeezed my fingers, saying quietly, “If Aktor stepped out of line, tell me. I’ll ensure he’s disciplined.”
I shook my head, throwing a look at Darro behind me. We were no longer linked by hearts and silence, but for now...we didn’t need it. I raised my voice enough so he could hear, or at least read my lips. “He’s been dealt with.”
“Dealt with?” Solin’s eyebrows rose.
I just nodded and smiled at Darro. “Dealt with.”
Darro flinched and bowed his chin. The faintest flutter of his affection stroked my psyche, trying to open the pathway again but failing.
I held his smoky stare.
I vowed to find a way to open our hearts and keep them open—so we could talk whenever we wanted. But for now, I permitted Solin to walk me toward the chief and chiefess with Aktor keeping pace slightly behind me.
I smiled at the wanderer as we weaved our way around the seating boulders.
The new stranger stood in a flourish of silk and sapphires.
His shaved head held swirls and dots of closely cropped black hair, precise and sharp. His eyes held the same exotic almond shape as Way’s and his hands were elegant and uncalloused, unlike the Nhil hunters and gatherers.
“Finally, we meet!” He strode forward with swathes of blue-bruised silk wafting around his legs and billowing around his arms. A wide belt wrapped around most of his torso, holding a jewel-handled blade stabbed through some of the folds, along with a small dangling jar, a well-used waterskin, and a few other items I didn’t recognise.
He jangled as he captured my shoulders, drawing me close to kiss both of my cheeks.
I startled at his welcome.
“Runa the Forgetful.” He grinned, his voice tinged with an accent that sounded eerily like the water’s melody when it spoke to me in the river. “The girl of sunshine and dreams, I have heard much of you.”