Page 11 of Winds of Ruin
My mind proved a terrifying place to live. Every contorted memory fed my despair—I witnessed all the Death Origin’s treachery against me and my loved ones. Again, and again.
Caym haunted me with bloodied visions that blurred together with my own dark memories. He’d made me do unspeakable things, just as he’d done to my father and so many others. Some days, I couldn’t tell whose misdeeds were whose.
He reveled in pulling at my conscience and stoking my self-loathing.
“Give up,” he hissed.
Instead, I fought. There were still people I loved on the other side of this curse. Death would never understand the strength of that unconditional connection.
“Emmerick?” A muddled, wind-torn whisper cut through the roar of angst.
Was this one of Caym’s tricks?
“Can you hear me, puppy?” She drawled out a pet name that I’d once loathed. It sounded like the sweetest nectar rolling off Elsedora Lamoreaux’s tongue.
The chill encasing me snapped away. The last time I’d seen her was the day they cursed me to sleep. Fen’s sister had helped put the binding cuffs on me to contain Caym’s wrath while Krait and Fen held me down.
Yes.I can. I can hear you!
I tried, but no words left me.
“Puppy… I see you. Can you see me?”
I followed the singsong cadence of her voice.
A flash of copper hair, a welcoming smile, and the top of a muddy tunic appeared before me, just a head and torso in the void. Elsedora narrowed her sparkling hazel gaze on me.Sources, she could see me!
“Yes,” I gasped out, barely recognizing the rasp as my voice sputtered to life. “I can see you.”
Warmth flooded my cheeks. For the first time in years, I escaped the cold, cloying darkness. Could I touch her? My limbs felt too heavy, and I couldn’t compel myself to lift my arm through the viscous shadows of the void.
Elsedora broke into a grin. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
She raised a fist.
“None,” I answered as a tear slid down my cheek and over my lips; tasting the salt made my throat burn.
She reached out as though trying to dab away the wetness beneath my eyes with her thumb, but her hand met a barrier between us. “You look awfully tired for someone asleep, pet.”
I nearly choked on my answer. “It isn’t exactly beauty sleep. Have you found a way to defeat him? To wake me?”
Her frown answered my question. “Not yet. Are you… well?” she asked, as she sat down somewhere.
“I’ve been better,” I said. “Where are you? Or… we?”
“I’m in Luz—youare in Luz.”
“For how long?” I breathed in deep; her presence was enough to anchor me, to keep Caym away.
“Three years.”
I winced. Thinking of Sybilla housing me like this—an added responsibility for her—brought me no joy. As she was beginning her marriage to King Darvanda, she should not have to tend to me. “Why Luz? Are my parents well? Who is caring for my… body?”
Elsedora’s brows rose at my rapid spewing of questions. “Do you really think Sybilla would let you rot away or risk anyone harming you? They’ve charmed your room to attend to your needs and maintain your privacy. No maids are allowed in. And your parents visit frequently. All three. Though, Amara has grown distant as of late.”
My chest burned to think of people visiting me, like a living grave. “How are you speaking to me?”
“I found an enchanted mirror while searching for Isolde’s relics. I don’t know how this works. It feels likeoldmagic. Do you want me to fetch Angeline and Leo? They’ll be so relieved to see you.”
