knew I couldn’t let past-me see me, but I had to get closer. This was a happy memory, one I wanted refreshed in my mind so I could hang on to it forever. But the second my foot hit the pavement of the courtyard green light flashed.
“NO!” I yelled and pushed harder. I dug my heels into the ground and charged ahead. “Let me see!”
The tunnel flashed all around me but vanished a split second later. I gasped and slid to a stop. I was back in the courtyard of Hidden Kingdom— wait. No. No, this isn’t right.
It’d just been sunset but now it was pitch black. The moon was full and twinkling stars dusted the night sky. Past-me still sat on the wall of the fountain pool, except now I was staring into the water with my arms wrapped around my legs, hugging my body tight to myself.
“Damn it.”
Past-me gasped and sat up straight.
I froze. Shit, did I see me?
But then movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I turned toward it and my heart stopped. It was Jonathan…except he was old. Very old. His hair was silver and his face wrinkly. He hobbled down the pathway through the courtyard using a cane in one hand and clutching a single yellow rose in his other.
A broken sob slipped from my throat.
This was the last time I saw Jonathan. It was only a few months ago, right before Tennessee approached me and gave me his ring. Only days before Tegan and Emersyn arrived. The timeline was catching up. I was so close to home.
Past-me squealed and flew over to him. He grinned and it lit up his fading eyes. Then he held up the yellow rose. Past-me took it and sniffed. I closed my eyes and let myself remember the sweet smell. My heart ached. Jonathan never said goodbye…he just disappeared. I had no idea what happened to him…but I feared the worst. He’d been ninety-five years old, death had probably claimed — my eyes widened.
Death. I am Death.
Once my strength was back and I was initiated into The Coven, I would find out if he was alive. If he wasn’t, I would summon him just to say goodbye…and to thank him for his friendship.
I whined and collapsed against a pole behind me.
And then I spotted him. Prince Thorne. He stood on the other side of the courtyard, lurking in the shadows of the forest. Rage rushed through my veins. I was sick of this little game.
“That’s IT,” I screamed and pushed off the pole. “THORNE. ENOUGH.”
His answering chuckle echoed all around me, like he was moving.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood tall. Olli growled in my ear. I spun around and leapt — and landed right back in that damn tunnel. Except I wasn’t mad about that. I wanted to be done with this. Tegan needed me back in the tunnel so she could track me. That meant I just had to stall to buy her time.
Prince Thorne grinned and it sent a chill down my spine. He flicked his wrist and silvery magic shot straight for me. I gasped and threw my hand up — rainbow magic shot over my head. TEGAN!
Rainbow and silver slammed into each other, their streams crossing right in front of me. Light exploded under my feet and I was sucked under. I screamed and tried to grab ahold of the vines but I fell too fast. I caught one last glimpse of Prince Thorne and it made my heart stop.
His fiery eyes were wide, his face paled. “Ah, fuck,” he whispered.
At the exact same time Tegan said in my head, That’s not gonna go well.
Chapter Seventeen
Saffie
Thick, wet mud splashed up from under my feet, splattering across my white dress. I spun around in a slow circle…and frowned. I’d landed in a sea of green. There was nothing but trees, bushes, and plants in varying shades as far as I could see in any direction.
I cursed. “Where the hell am I now? THORNE!”
It was insane to antagonize and call out your enemy, but I didn’t have much choice. HE was the one who did this. He was the one who sent me here— did he?
Something happened when his and Tegan’s magic collided and their reactions suggested neither had expected this…or thought it was going to be good. The tunnel has to be around here somewhere.