The morning light shimmered over The Marsh as Briar, Mydrn, and I walked. I continuously scanned the space around us. Gyra lay days away, and I was worried The Marsh was going to try to swallow us whole.
I placed a piece of Brabin fruit in my mouth, chewing the bitter flesh.
Briar walked ahead of me, looking as if she were listening to something I couldn’t hear.
I would have to get used to that. My vision had shown—
No. I couldn't think of that. I couldn’t allow myself to focus on what Briar was destined for. What we were meant to live through.
My heart tightened at the thought. I didn’t care where the path led, I would follow her along it. I would be with her every step of the way.
Briar looked back at me, her emerald eyes sharp as she scanned my face.
‘What's wrong?’ Her thoughts flowed into my mind, and I wanted nothing more than to be close to her. To pull her into my arms. I ached to hold her.
She stopped and directed Mydrn to go down to a nearby river to fetch water. He nodded and walked away.
Slowly, she walked over to me. I couldn’t wait any longer, I pulled her into my arms and breathed in her scent. Honey and wildflowers filled my senses.
I pulled back slightly to look at her face, tipping her jaw up so I could see her clearly.
“Nothing is wrong, I just wish to hold you for as long as I can,” I told her, my voice low. While I still can. I tried to shove the thought away. As a Seer, I wasn't supposed to have a Soulfated, yet here she was, in my arms. I never wanted to let go.
She stood on her toes and pressed her lips to mine. “You never have to let go,” she whispered as she pulled away.
I looked down at her, trying to suppress the sadness threatening to breach my composure. We both knew that once we reached the palace in Arinthe after settling Mydrn, we would have to pretend to be nothing to each other. I didn’t know if my heart could handle that.