We kept walking, and my stomach sank further and further as the snow steadily piled up on either side of the road. My fingers were numb despite being stuffed into my pockets, and my breath was coming out in visible white puffs. Soon enough, the cold had seeped into my bones, as if my jacket weren’
Kayla The forest was darker than I had anticipated, the heavy branches and pitch black sky turning it into a wall of inky darkness. The snow wasn’t falling as heavily here, but the icy wind still slithered through the trees, biting at every inch of exposed skin on my body. My fingers were numb d
“Stay here,” Nicholas said, disappearing back outside before I could protest. He returned a moment later with an armful of sticks and branches, dropping them in a pile near the center of the cave. “You think we can make a fire?” I asked, my voice trembling from the way I was shivering.. “We can
Kayla The first thing I noticed, even before the pain in my body, was the sound of voices. They were distant at first, muffled like they were coming from underwater, but they grew sharper and clearer as I slowly returned to consciousness. My eyes fluttered open to find sunlight spilling into the
Kayla The sunlight streaming through the window gently washed across my cheek, nudging me awake. I cracked my eyes open and blinked, finding that my head felt surprisingly clear. No fever, no delirium, just an ache in my shoulder from sleeping. For the first time in what felt like days, my body
And when I had expressed my desire to wear short sleeves, it was as if I had suggested she suddenly drop to the floor and have a heart attack. Obviously, I had to capitulate to her—because Liam, her favorite baby boy, certainly wasn’t going to stand up for me if I decided to go against her wishes.
Kayla The ride home was quiet, save for the sound of the bags rustling between my feet and the hum of the car’s engine. I kept staring down at the two dresses Nicholas had purchased for me, my head swirling with conflicting emotions every time I saw the champagne and crimson fabrics. I knew it w
The words hit me like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over my head. I stared at the road as the reality of his statement sank in. Of course I knew this wasn’t a real wedding. I knew it was all for show, a charade to keep up appearances. But hearing him say it so bluntly, after everything, f
At that, Nicholas released me, taking a step back. He furrowed his brow. “You look surprised.”“Because I thought you had no intention of going on a honeymoon,” I blurted out, smoothing down the front of my jacket. “I thought…”My voice trailed off, and I couldn’t find it in me to say it out loud. I
KaylaI looked up to see Nicholas approaching, his face pale. “Are you alright?” he asked, stopping a little ways away from where I was standing.I quickly turned away, hoping he couldn’t see the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m fine.”“Kayla.” Nicholas stepped in my way. “Talk to me. Did something
Was it true that Nicholas had laughed in her face when she confessed her feelings? Was he truly that heartless, even back then? Was it true that Nora thought she was doing me a favor by trying to break us up, by showing me that audio clip?I didn’t think Nora could ever be my friend, not by a long s
KaylaI stared at the deer turning on the spit, its skin turned red and glistening with fat as the fire cooked it from beneath. The air smelled like roasting meat, mingling with the scent of fresh bread and mulled cider.I was starving and surrounded by food that looked utterly delicious, and yet my
Before I could protest further, Nicholas whisked me off my feet, gathering me in his arms like I was as light as a feather. He strode quickly toward the edge of the forest—I was surprised to find that we weren’t nearly as far as I thought we were this whole time—and then veered toward the house.“I’
KaylaI stared wide-eyed down at Nora’s unmoving body, at the pool of blood forming around her abdomen. She coughed and sputtered, eyes glazed over, already worlds away from this place by the time I found her.The warrior said that he had accidentally pushed her too hard during a spar, and she fell
And although it was bitterly cold out today, with the feast being held outside no less, all of the torches and fire pits scattered around the gathering area kept me warm enough that I’d even removed my jacket some time ago.Jade shook her head and took a seat next to me, perching on the edge of the
NicholasI never would have admitted it, not to anyone or even myself, but I spent three days straight thinking of nothing but Kayla.The moment she walked into the forest, wearing nothing but some practical training gear with only a flint and steel kit in her pocket, her head held high despite the
The next morning, I woke up early, the cold air biting at my skin and my legs aching from yesterday’s exertion. I broke down my makeshift camp once more and set off into the woods, once again searching for the stag.I moved quickly, my eyes scanning the trees for any sign of the stag. I heard a scuf