The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(78)

Not that he wouldn’t try if given the chance, but he knew he would likely be the one to die, and he couldn’t do that. Not yet.

He’d reached the small meadow too late. Whatever action had taken place, had already happened. Remaining hidden in the trees, he spotted Finn, Iseult, Kai, and Bedelia as they prepared to depart. He considered following them, but found himself too weak. He lifted his hand to check the wound on the back of his shoulder. He’d bandaged it the best he could, but it was in an awkward spot, and he’d lost too much blood.

This was the end for him.

He never thought he’d miss his shadow, but now he knew his true folly. It should not have been sent to the in between. It should be in reality with him. When he died, would he truly die, or would his shadow remain? Would he become little more than a specter?

Knowing he’d soon topple off his horse to the ground, he let the beast amble onward anyway. It didn’t matter. The creature could soon go where it pleased.

He gazed off into the distance, catching a hint of something white. His life was truly leaving him. He was beginning to hallucinate. His horse seemed to be guiding him toward the object. Perhaps the white form would lead him to the underworld. Because it was a form. As he neared, he realized it was a woman, curled up in the dead grass. She was dressed in white, with perfectly white skin and hair to match. Crimson blood stained her chest, and speckled her peaceful features.

Utterly entranced, he barely noticed as he fell from his horse. He groaned as he hit the ground, then managed to roll onto his side. Opening his eyes, he nearly screamed at the visage before him. The white woman remained on her side, but her eyes had opened to regard him.

“A Gray Lord,” she muttered. “How interesting. Yet, your shadow is stuck in the in between. You know, it’s only supposed to go there when you dream?”

He blinked at her. Just a moment before, he’d been sure she was dead. “How?” he gasped.

Her cheek still in the rough grass, she smiled at him. “One of Clan Liath should know better. You cannot kill the winter. At least, not for long.”

His heart thudded in his chest, and something cold and all too familiar hit his cheek.

Snow.