Of Wind and Terror by Katie May

Author:Katie May [May, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 214783522
Publisher: Expresso Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-07-12T07:00:00+00:00

22

KASSANDRA

We travel for two days without any incident, stopping at night to get some rest and then setting out first thing in the morning. It’s slow going and a tiring process, and I have to wonder if the males are dragging their feet, reluctant to venture through the Forest of the Damned despite the urgency of our situation.

Blaze tells me they’re just being cautious. After all, we don’t know what—or who—we’re going to run into.

Still, despite his reassurances, I can’t help but taste the tension thickening the air. It spirals through me until I feel like a loaded spring, jittery with restless energy.

I remain in the carriage while the guys alternate who’s leading our procession and who’s protecting the rear of it.

I have to marvel at what an unruly crew we make—two princes, an elf, and the famous Death Whisperer. Why does this sound like the start of a horror novel? Our bounties combined would be well over a million gold coins—high enough to feed an entire kingdom of fae. What lengths would others go to secure that money?

The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

We should reach the Forest of the Damned by late afternoon, but we unanimously decide to wait until first light before venturing through it.

According to the princes, there are monsters that roam the forest. Wraiths, for starters—bloodsucking, emaciated creatures that devour your internal organs. Wyverns, which are apparently like small dragons. Selkies. Basilisks. And so many other mythical creatures that my head spins just thinking about them all.

Blaze told me that the forest is also full of magic. Dark, insidious, unfettered magic just waiting to sink its claws into anyone who comes too close. It can make you lose your mind. See things that aren’t really there. Hear voices. Hurt the ones you love most.

For the one thousandth time since I’ve heard that news, I debate the merits of taking the long way around. Surely, the mark on my arm can’t be any worse than that…can it? Nothing has even happened yet. I feel perfectly normal.

Perhaps the males are blowing this out of proportion. Maybe the mark used to be a canister of power, but it’s possible it doesn’t react the same way now. After all, Chaos is asleep—and has been for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Surely, his magic is sleeping with him, right?

Nerves eat at my stomach as the carriage crawls to a stop. We must’ve reached our destination for the night.

“Rise and shine, Kassie.” Treyton flashes me a smile as he pokes his head through the carriage door.

“I wasn’t sleeping,” I sign.

The Spring Prince eyes me dubiously. “No? You sure? I could’ve sworn I heard cute little snores…”

I lean forward to whack him across the chest before I can think better of it. In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the smartest decision to punch the Spring Prince, but Treyton doesn’t seem to mind. His smile remains in place, not faltering or wilting at the edges.

“I do not snore,” I protest.

“You do.”

Blaze materializes behind Treyton’s shoulder and arches one arrogant eyebrow at me.

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