Reign of Ice (Forever Fae #4)(61)
“You never told me what you were doing out here, Ariella. I want to know why you don’t want me to take you back to your king. Did he do something to you?” he asked, clenching his jaw.
“No,” I cried, shaking my head. “Brayden would never do anything to harm me. You’re not going to like what I tell you, but unfortunately, it’s the way things have to be.”
I swallowed down the last handful of berries and took a sip of water. I couldn’t believe how hungry I was. Bastian already knew basically everything because of Meliantha. However, he didn’t know about the scroll and what it said. Quickly, I told him about the dagger I carried and how I was the one who needed to kill the sorcerer. I skirted over the fact that I might not survive it.
“You’re going to do what?” he demanded angrily, jumping to his feet. Merrick, fully alert now, got to his feet as well and stood above me. It was strange to think that I could see him in front of me, but Bastian couldn’t. Bastian continued in a low growl, “If I would’ve known this was going to happen I wouldn’t have agreed to let you go. From what you’re telling me it sounds like you won’t be making it home from the Black Forest. Is that what you’re telling me?”
Still sitting on the ground, I gazed up at him and nodded. “Yes,” I whispered. “That’s why I had to leave. If Brayden knew he wouldn’t have let me go.” I got to my feet and faced him. “I have to do this, Bastian.”
He shook his head and glared at me. “The only way you are going is if I go with you,” he argued. “And if you refuse I’ll tie you up and carry you back to the Winter Court. Trust me, you don’t want me to do that.”
“No,” I exclaimed. “I don’t care what you threaten me with, I’m not going to let you put yourself in danger. The whole reason why I’m doing this alone is so I can keep you all safe and protect you.”
Bastian scoffed and began saddling up his horse while Krill saddled up his own as well. Merrick elbowed me in the side to get my attention. “I know you don’t want to put him in harm’s way, but he would be able to help you. Yes, I’m here with you, but there’s nothing I can do to protect you. I can only touch you and no one else.”
“I said no,” I hissed quietly.
Merrick sighed and squeezed my shoulder sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Ariella, but you’re not going to be able to make that decision for him.” Unfortunately, I knew he was right, but it didn’t make it any easier to deal with. Risking myself was one thing, but risking one of my friends was another.
When Bastian got done with his horse he stalked over to me and took me by the arms, holding me firm. “You do not have a choice in this, Ariella. Either you let me go with you or I take you back. It is all up to you.”
“Why are you doing this? I told you that the chance of surviving is practically none,” I told him.
Nonchalantly, he shrugged and lifted me up on his horse while Krill held the reins. Probably so I wouldn’t run off. “Then we will die together, Your Highness,” Bastian stated. “I would rather die honorably with you by my side than live centuries with the curse of my people. I am going with you whether you like it or not.”
Bastian quickly mounted Krill’s horse and called him over. Before sending him off on foot, he explained to him what he wanted him to relay back to his people, “Krill, when you find Bayleon tell him to send word to Meliantha that her sister is fine, and that I am with her. I’m not going to let her do this alone.”
Krill frowned and bowed his head, replying solemnly, “As you wish, Bastian. Safe journey to you.”
The farewell hung heavily in the air and immediately I regretted ever agreeing to let him come with me. Bastian wasn’t just a normal Tyvar, he was one of their leaders with a brother who would miss him if he didn’t make it back alive. The thought was like a knife in my gut, twisting and opening me up to more pain and death. I was hurting everyone by my decision to leave, and it killed me to know I was causing so much heartache and grief.
Bastian clasped Krill’s forearm and said his good-bye, “Farewell, my brother. If I don’t return then hopefully one day I will see you in the Hereafter. I can only pray that I am worthy enough to be set free.”
Krill bowed to both of us and then set off at a brisk pace through the trees. I watched him disappear and imagined how angry Brayden and the others were going to be when they found out Bastian went against orders and didn’t bring me in. If we survived this ordeal, the outcome wasn’t going to be good.
“Why do you have that look on your face?” Bastian asked curiously. He sidled up to my right side while Merrick took up my left.
I blew out a heavy sigh and gave him a withering glance. “You better hope we don’t survive this,” I told him.
“And why is that?” he asked, lifting a curious brow.
“Because,” I started, “once Brayden finds out you’re with me and didn’t take me back, he’s going to be angry enough to kill. I fear of what he will do to you if we make it out alive.”
Bastian scoffed, “I am not worried, Your Highness. If he feels the need to fight me then he can. I am not easy to take down.”
Neither was he.
TRAIPSING ACROSS THE barren land to get to the Black Forest was ominous at best. Each step took us closer and closer to our doom and to the unknown. Merrick described what it was like on the way there, and I explained it all to Bastian as Merrick spoke. We were on the edge of the forest where the dark, oily trees stood high into the sky, filtering out all shades of sunlight. I shivered just gazing up at them.