“There,” he said with a smile, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. “Now that’s a proper blush.”
Beyond the terrace, gray clouds rolled in, stronger and faster than any natural weather pattern. The contrast of the light and dark began to form a picture. Hollow eye sockets appeared, and around them formed a skull. Even in my dreams I couldn’t escape the evil that stalked me.
“Don’t worry,” Kull said. “It cannot harm us here.”
“I know,” I said.
Soon the wind picked up, breaking the clouds apart until once again, the sunlight broke free. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling the steady beating of his heart.
“I miss you,” I said. “I don’t feel right being away from you. I don’t even feel like myself anymore. My magic knows it, too.”
“But you are here with me now.”
He took my hand. I tightened my grip on his fingers, feeling that as soon as I let go, he would be gone.
“Sometimes it’s good to experience sorrow,” Kull said, gently squeezing my hand in return, “because it makes you appreciate the better times.”
“Do you think there will be better times?”
“There are always better times. Just as the mountains have peaks and slopes and the waves rise and fall, so life is filled with heartache and happiness. Better times will come. We’ve just got to be patient through the hard times until they arrive.”
I sighed, wanting to believe him, watching as the clouds cleared to reveal snowcapped peaks far in the distance, their sun-streaked slopes colored in shades of pink and lavender.
“It really is so beautiful here,” I repeated. “I wish I could stay forever.”
“We can if that is what you wish.”
“Yes,” I answered. “I wish to stay here forever and never leave again.”
He smiled. “You might get bored after a while.”
“Maybe. But if I do, then we’ll go on a vacation to some far-off land. We could visit the dragons for a time, or—if I’m feeling adventurous—we could even visit the elves.”
“Hmm, sounds terribly adventurous. I am sure I will need Bloodbane for such a quest, won’t I?”
“For the elves, yes. Or, if you’d rather go on a real quest, there’s always the outer isles we could explore again.”
“Ha, with the dragons there, I believe I’ll pass. We should quest to the Southlands. I hear the vexons have been ravaging the Wult outposts. I’ll make quick work of the beasts. Plus, I may have a few new trophies for my wall.”
“Very well,” I said, sighing. “But can it wait until after breakfast at least?”
He kissed my forehead. “Of course. I’ve prepared a meal for you.”
“You prepared the meal? What did you make?” This should be interesting.
“I, ah…” he cleared his throat as a half-smile lit his face. “I happened to find an Earth Kingdom text in the library—a cookbook.”
“A cookbook? Enlighten me—what did you cook?”
“A soufflé made of eggs and cheese, sausage, green onions, and topped with crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. I also prepared pancakes with syrup. I had to improvise as I was limited to Faythander food items, but I believe you will not be able to tell the difference.”
“You made all that?” I asked, shocked.
“Of course,” he answered, smiling. “I made it for you.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
My vision blurred, and I blinked to try and combat the dizziness, but it did no good. Kull’s hand disappeared from mine, and soon he and the fortress disappeared altogether.
No, no, no, I can’t go! Not yet. Kull, don’t leave me!
A cold emptiness settled in the pit of my stomach. I lurched awake.
“Kull?” I said as I woke, blinking, trying to make sense of the world around me.
When I was finally able to focus, I realized several things at once. I was sitting on the floor inside the cabin. My hands were tied with chains in front of me. I was wearing only my bra and panties. And it was seriously cold inside—so cold that a glass of water in the sink sitting across from me had an inch of ice on top.
How had it gotten so cold? It never got this frigid in Houston in October. Was there magic at work?
The room’s only light came from a flashlight lying on the floor. If it was Officer Gardener’s flashlight, then where was he?
My breath came out in puffs of white clouds. I wiggled my fingers and toes; both were numb. Goose bumps prickled my skin, and my neck ached where I must’ve been hanging my head while I slept.
Fragments of last night started to surface in my memory. I remembered Officer Gardener bringing me here. He’d scouted around the place and gone inside, and then he’d come back and gotten me out of the car. But what had happened after that? I remembered he’d led me outside in the rain, and then… only fragments of memories…
Something in the woods—something frightening. Unnaturally long nails that grew from misshapen arms. A face… terrifying. A horse’s skull. Its eyes. Glowing green. It attacked the cop.
I couldn’t remember anything else until now. Taking stock of my current situation, I scanned the cabin. Why was I tied up? And where were my freaking clothes?
The sensation began to return to my hands and feet, and without bothering to worry over my magic, I balled my fists, preparing to conjure a spell to break the chains off my hands.
When I conjured the word in my mind, the bands around my wrists grew cold. Icy tendrils wrapped my skin, and I clenched my hands into fists as I fought with the strange magic. It wasn’t just a physical pain, but a power that pushed against my own, nauseating me, making me dizzy and filling me with dread. My stomach sickened, and repulsed by the chains’ dark essence, I quickly let go of the magic.
In the near darkness, I focused on the chains binding my wrists. Inky black magic shimmered around the coiled
