An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 7

Cal's POV

I hit the ground hard, falling onto my knees as the water around me fades. The water burns the inside of my throat and lungs, sending me into a coughing fit as it all comes out. The stone feels cold against my palms, but I hold them firm, supporting my body weight between my hands and knees. When I finally finish coughing, I glance up quickly, still trying to catch my breath and see the Nymph I was fighting lying on the ground in a pool of silver blood, a metal rod through his middle, and Evangeline running toward me. It doesn't take long for me to put two and two together, but I quickly disregard the thought, there is only one person on my mind right now.

I try to stand up, bringing one knee up to kneel on it, as Evangeline makes her way to stand in front of me.

"You all right?" she asks, offering me a hand.

"I am now," I reply, grabbing her hand for support as I stand. It doesn't take me long to get steady on my feet again, and I take a deep breath, letting the warm air fill my lungs.

"Thank you, by the way," I say, meeting Evangeline's gaze.

"Don't worry about it. You would have done the same." She replies.

I nod in agreement. It is funny to think about the relationship between Evangeline and me. From being betrothed, to enemies, to betrothed again. From trying to kill each other to almost getting married, to a friendship formed out of understanding. I always knew that there was something good in Evangeline, and I am glad that it has come out now and allowed us to be such close friends.

Breaking out of my thoughts, I quickly turn my attention back to the matter at hand and the thing that has been worrying me.

"Where's Mare?" I ask Evangeline, examining her face for any signs of an answer as I wait for a response.

Evangeline hesitates and looks at me with a somewhat confused expression.

The delay in response only makes me more anxious.

"I heard her call out to me Evangeline. Where is she?" I demand.

I can feel the frustration rising inside of me, threatening to bubble out to the surface, but it is not directed towards Evangeline, it is directed toward Mare. Mare said she wouldn't come, she said that she was going to be honest with me. Just another broken promise. I thought we were done with lying to each other, but I guess I was mistaken.

"She was right beside me a minute ago," Evangeline explains. "We started to make our way toward you, but for some reason, she turned and started running the other way. I thought I would stay the course and make sure you were okay."

She continues to scan the area for Mare, but I start walking in the direction that Evangeline came from. I have no time to waste. It isn't safe for Mare to be out here, especially in her condition. Especially if my suspicions are correct.

I continue on my path, scanning the area as I go, searching for Mare. The smell of smoke quickly fills my lungs, but I don't mind it much and keep walking. I assume it is just from a gun backfiring or a Lakelander burner, so I don't think much of it, as it doesn't bother me anyway. Evangeline on the other hand can't help but cough as she follows me, struggling to keep up.

"Cal."

Evangeline tries to grab my attention, but I ignore her. I have to find Mare. I have to protect her, but not just for her sake, or the baby's. For mine. I know she can handle herself, she has dealt with worse things without me by her side, but I know the pain of losing someone you love, and it is not a feeling I want to feel again. It devours you, encapsulates you, eating at your insides every day until you become numb to the pain. And then it comes back with a vengeance, reminding you of all the things you could have had, but are now lost.