Tangled Fates

Chapter 24

The rain had dulled to a misty haze by morning, clinging to me like ghost's breath as we rode through the dense wood. My mount moved with quiet unease, hooves thudding over damp ground softened by the night's storm. Beside me, Nadia rode in silence, her hood drawn low hiding her umber hair from view.

We hadn't spoken since the confrontation. Since her voice, raw with fury and heartbreak, had cut deeper than any blade. I hadn't apologized. I wasn't sure if I knew how. Apologizing to Nadia was something I avoided as much as possible. In the castle it was easy, I would keep my distance and she would lock herself away for a few days in her tower of potions and books. Having to see her, to see the pain, it was like sliding a silver blade over my skin cutting slow and deep.

The others were left at the boarder, I had ordered them to remain there until we returned. Only two wolves were permitted to cross into witch territory. A custom as old as the grudges that birthed it. I hadn't asked why the witches demanded horses as tribute, only knew it was expected. Their steeds would be taken from them once they reached the coven's gates.

I shifted in the saddle, my eyes narrowing as the path grew darker. The trees pressed tighter together here, tall and ancient, their twisted limbs clawing at the sky. A smell curled into my nose, thick and rancid, like rot simmering beneath fresh rain.

My wolf stirred uneasily, his fur standing on end. Not just rot... magic.

I didn't need proof. I felt it in the marrow of my bones, an instinct carved from generations of warning. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to speak it aloud. Nadia rode only a few paces ahead. She would hear me, even if it was a whisper under my breath, smell the judgment in my voice.

And yet... her scent wasn't like that. Not like this.

I inhaled her scent without meaning to. Even now, even after everything, the hint of crushed pine and summer fire lingered around her. It was excitement, it was joy, it was light and air and everything that was good. There was no corruption in it. No decay. No twisted darkness or unholiness.

So why do you still reject her? She is wolf. She is-

Because she is still a witch. I grit my teeth, cutting off the words of my wolf. Because she lied... if not with her words, then by negligence. Because she had a sister who could twist herself into her image and almost convinced me of...

Say it. You could at least acknowledge it. My wolf snapped back. Because when she turned to walk away from you last night, something inside you cracked wide open. Say it. Say what you refuse to.

I would not entertain his thoughts. He was desperate and he was wrong.

It felt like we were losing her. He whined.

His words burned, as if hot iron was pressed against my chest burning its way through flesh and bone. I did not have time for this nonsense. She was a witch and that was that.

A crow cried overhead, pulling my attention skyward. There numbers grew as we neared, filling the trees in a black haze.

My hands tightened on the reins. "The air reeks," I muttered. "It's thicker here. Like it's hiding something."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nadia stiffen. Her head tilted ever so slightly up toward the trees.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice lower than I intended. Not cold, but guarded.

She didn't answer at first, only wiped away the misty rain from her face. "You can't see them," she murmured.

"See what?"