Wake of Darkness [1]

Chapter Forty-Three

♕ First Light ♕

The warmth wind was familiar on her face. The same kind of wind that could feel too hot it became overwhelming, the wind that she used to hide from, hating the way it made the breeze from the sea stick into your skin. Then there was sunlight, Then she saw sunlight, unyielding light coming from every direction onto them, light that should not have been so easy on her eyes, that had once made her shut her eyes for a couple of seconds before getting used to the brightness.

She did not need to turn around to know Mason was a couple of steps behind them. Taj's hand still in hers. Aubrette took a second longer before letting go, and then another one to turn towards him. Taj's face was almost all covered in blood, a deep cut on his eyebrow grabbing her attention. His eyes were focused on the distance, and Aubrette knew that if she were to turn around, she'd be able to see the palace towers peaking in between trees and houses. Aubrette knew he could only think of Bryden, that it might have been the one reason strong enough for him to be able to leave Asher behind, and yet she also knew he would never leave her unless she asked him to.

"Taj..." She whispered grabbing his arm. "It's okay." Taj turned to her, looking into her eyes for a moment before turning to Mason.

"I don't trust him" he said.

"He won't hurt me" Aubrette reassured him, avoiding turning to see Mason behind them.

"I don't believe that" Taj said his voice much angrier than she'd ever heard.

"I can take care of myself" Aubrette said forcing a smile. "Bryden needs you." She whispered, knowing that was the only way she would get him to look towards her. Taj's eyes parted from Mason.

"Come with me" He asked, his concern clear behind his eyes Aubrette smiled sadly, trying to push back the knot forming in her throat.

"We can't risk my mother finding out I left, much less her finding out about Asher's magic." he sighed, placing a hand on his forehead, and closing his eyes, as if he were trying hard to think for a way to get them out of this.

"I promised Asher" he said, his voice trembling.

"You promised to take me out of there. That's it." Aubrette said grabbing his hand. "Go." Aubrette insisted, trying to push him forward into the city. Taj nodded.

"I'll meet you at the docks at midnight. Keep your head low okay?" Aubrette nodded before Taj wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "We'll find a way back to him Bree" Aubrette nodded, letting him go.

"I know" She said, not fully believing her words. Taj took a deep breath. Wiping the swept out of his eyes.

"If you touch a single strand on her hair, I'll help her separate your head from your shoulders understood?" Mason shifted his eyes from the sky towards him, giving one simple nod in response.

Aubrette smiled at Taj, trying to put on a face that did not scream what she was really feeling at him, "Good luck princess" Taj said, winking at her before running towards the castle. Aubrette waited to drop her smile until he left her sight, disappearing in the distance without looking back.

Aubrette glanced back at Mason, who had returned his eyes to the clear sky, and Aubrette thought if he perhaps were wondering how they'd gotten so far out of what felt familiar, like she'd done as a kid. It could take more than a while to get used to that feeling, of being half a step towards another place, another side of the world. She turned around, not being able to stay next to him as if nothing had changed and started walking towards the sea. Aubrette had not cared enough to see if he'd followed her but was more than aware of the muffled sound of his steps behind her.