can hear my mother on the other side of the wall. Snorting, I prepare to jump over it, no wall has ever stopped us before, but my body seizes as a sharp pain attacks my frame. I try again and again, but each time I am stopped.
I don’t fall back this time as the kelpie pulls away, and I understand where some of the creature’s anger is coming from.
“A dam,” I whisper, rubbing my arms as I remember how pain assaulted the kelpies when they went too close. “It must be protected by magic.” I’m speaking more to myself than anyone else, but the creature nods its large head in agreement. “I’m sorry. It’s awful you have been blocked from your territory and family.”
A smaller head pops up from the water next to its larger brother, and I see something in its mouth as it cautiously approaches me under the watchful gaze of the large stallion. Arriving at the shore, it opens its mouth and drops a pile of green weeds. Nos weed. I reach for it, looking up, and I see the two smaller creatures have already disappeared and the larger one is slowly backing into the water.
“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing he can hear me before he vanishes entirely.
I sit for a moment longer, looking out over the lake before a sense of urgency fills me. “Vaeril,” I murmur, as I push to my feet, forcing myself to run as fast as I can. I can feel him fading. My lungs sting and my legs burn, but I don’t care, the only thing that matters right now is getting to my elf.
Hurrying past the wall of water, I sprint over to Vaeril’s side before letting out a cry of pain as I stare down at his lifeless body.
“No.” I kneel next to him, reaching out to touch his cold skin. “No, no, no, no,” I chant, lowering my head to his chest to feel for a breath. No movement. I feel sick as panic envelops me. That’s when I hear it—one slow thump of his heart. Sitting up, I lean across his body and grab his shoulders, shaking them roughly.
“Vaeril, wake up!” I shout, my voice breaking once again. “Wake up! You can’t leave me alone out here!”
Watching his chest intently, I let out a cry of pain and frustration when his body remains motionless. I close my eyes, desperately searching for any means to keep him with me, and reach for that connection between us. Looking inside myself, I immediately find our link. Before, it was bright and glowing, but now, it’s weak and faded. Grabbing it, I pull as hard as I can.
“No, you are not leaving me, Vaeril, not when we’ve come this far,” I grind out, my eyes still closed as I wrestle with the link, my anger fuelling my actions. “I need you,” I say softly. There’s a noise in the cave, but I’m so focused on our connection that I don’t open my eyes.
Slowly, oh so slowly, the light of the link starts to brighten, pulsing in my hands as I call him to me. “Come back to me.” My voice is a whisper now as I feel my energy start to fade, almost as though the brighter his link becomes, the weaker I get.
A gasp fills the cave, the sound loud and desperate, like the person has been underwater for a long time. “Alina.” Although his voice is quiet, the name echoes in my mind like someone has struck a bell. Opening my eyes, I look down at Vaeril and see some of his colour is returning, and although his eyes are closed, his chest is moving up and down as he breathes. A relieved laugh escapes me as I lean down and press my ear to his chest, laughing again when I hear his heart beating, slow and steady.
“You came back.” I can’t stop my smile as I pull away, my hands still resting on his chest. I don’t expect him to answer, but when his eyes flicker open, he gives me his signature frown.
“Of course, you needed me.” His voice is weak, and some might think his words are romantic, but he says it in a way that implies I’d be useless without him.
“Arrogant ass,” I retort with a chuckle. Usually, I would be mad at the backhanded comment, but his teasing is music to my ears. I can tell he’s about to pass out soon, so I quickly