Author's Note: Esmerian forest pictured above.

***

Carissa's gasp snagged in her throat. He was leaving with Mera? Where? For how long? Even as the questions bubbled to her lips, she found that her tongue had forgotten how to form them.

Mera's eyebrows bounced up in surprise, then down in disapproval. "I–you–we—what?!"

"I promised your father I would keep both you and your secret safe—"

"I do not require your protection."

"—and I think it'd be best if I take you elsewhere. Especially as your pregnancy comes along—"

"I think not! I will not go anywhere with you, you oafish son of a—"

"Mera." Elder Lorem walked toward them, then looped his arm around hers. He cast a small smile at Elon. "Forgive me. I will speak to her."

Once they'd left, Elon turned toward Carissa. "I take it you have something you'd like to say to me?"

"I was just wondering why you didn't tell me about this earlier." He wanted to leave her? Right after what had happened? He'd only just come back. Surely this didn't have anything to do with Algernon or that he felt she was unfaithful. Did it?

"There wasn't an appropriate time." He closed the distance between them, tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "But I have no doubt that you'll do an excellent job as leader in my stead."

Elon had his reasons—she knew he did—but she couldn't help but protest. "Surely you could remain a little while longer? Mera is still a long ways away from showing signs of her pregnancy. She at least has another month or a month and a half before her stomach shows any signs of swelling."

"It has to be now, Carissa." He must have seen her downcast expression for he tucked his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face toward his. "I'll be back soon enough, within three days' time. And when we were betrothed, we spent a much longer period of time apart."

She leaned forward until he embraced her. "But that was before I loved you."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Does it need to be tonight, Elon?" Given his passion the night prior, she'd been hoping he'd choose to bond with her sooner rather than later.

"Yes. Otherwise, I'll be tempted to remain with you come morning." He nuzzled her neck, his stubble tickling her tender skin.

Carissa giggled and drew back to meet his gaze. "Very well. I trust you, Elon."

A wave of sorrow washed over his features.

Carissa clasped his hand between with hers. "What's the matter, Elon? Do you believe me?"

The emotion vanished, a rueful smile taking its place. "Forgive me. I'm not anticipating leaving you, and I suppose it has me out of sorts."

He hadn't bothered answering her question. Unease stole her previous happiness. Whenever Elon had become upset before—seemingly without cause—something had always happened. "What is it, Elon? What's going to happen?" And why was he abandoning her to face it alone?

"You said you trusted me, Carissa. Did you mean it?"

"Yes."

"Then that will have to suffice, I'm afraid." He stepped back from her. "I should go speak to the people about my departure. Are you coming?"

"I think it best that I remain here." She was more frightened than she cared to admit—and frustrated that he wouldn't tell her. Though she continued to tell herself that he had his reasons, the statement became an empty mantra. As upset as she was, she didn't want Elon to experience the backlash of her emotions.

He nodded, though his expression was rather subdued. "If that's what you wish. I'll return to bid you farewell."

Then he turned and left. Carissa watched his broad back until he was out of sight, until she was alone with her fears. Perhaps she didn't trust Elon nearly as much as she'd hoped.

***

Carissa held his hand until Elon mounted his horse, pulling their hands apart out of necessity.

From atop his horse, he brushed his fingers against her lips, which were still slightly swollen from their prolonged kiss. "I'll be back."

She offered him a sliver of a smile. She feared that if she spoke, she would either cry or beg him to stay again.

His touch lingered for a moment before he guided his mount away. Mera was seated on a second horse, looking very cross. But beneath her anger, Carissa caught a glimmer of unease and saw how long the girl's eyes paused on her father.

Poor girl. She might not see him again until after she'd delivered the child. But Carissa wasn't overly concerned; Mera had Elon with her, after all. And Carissa would not.

The caravan members crowded together as they waved at Elon and Mera. Though she'd caught one pair murmuring about the impropriety of such a trip, especially since Elon hadn't offered much in the way of explanation, most seemed to regard him too well to assume such. In fact, the many who'd chosen Elon as their king still seemed quite sincere.

When they were gone from sight, Carissa turned toward the caravan members. "We'd best get some rest before we resume traveling tomorrow." Though she'd wanted to remain in the same place, Elon had recommended that they keep moving as usual.

The caravan members dispersed to their respective tents. And Carissa tipped her head back to look at the perpetually starless sky.

Three days. Surely they could survive that long without him.

***

Three Days Later

Carissa heaved a crate from the back of a wagon to the ground. They were preparing to break camp for the night. Elon hadn't been spotted at all earlier that day, which mean he must be coming soon. She hoped.

Light still shone behind the thick swath of clouds. Though they had enough time to go farther, there was a conveniently located creek in this location. Thankfully, the dust had become less and less of a problem—as Elon had predicted—but the caravan members still liked to bathe and drink from fresh water.

After Carissa had finished unloading the needed foodstuffs for the night, she began her daily stroll around the camp. A single mother needed help erecting her tent. A little girl needed a splinter removed from her thumb. An elderly man needed help unsaddling and brushing his horse.

Though Carissa did her best to tend to their needs, sometimes it was hard to forget their initial hostile treatment. Every so often, she recognized someone's face—that man had pointed his arrow at her and Elon, that woman had bruised Carissa's ribs while she was curled on the ground.

But Elon had left her in his stead. Even if she still struggled with resentment, she had a responsibility to serve them as best she was able.

To be fair to the caravan members, they did seem kinder now that they'd pledged themselves to Elon. Just the other day, they'd found a raggedy band of two men and two women. After putting it to a vote, the caravan members had decided that Elon would have wanted them to welcome the travelers, and so they had.

Carissa swiped her sleeve across her brow, and it came away moist with perspiration and streaked with dirt. Now that she'd done her duty, perhaps it was time she make use of that creek.

Underbrush snatched at her trousers—ivy, needled vines, low-lying bushes. She stepped over log, coated in spores and lichen, marveling at how thick the forest growth had become. The greenery was different here. There were more mushrooms, the plants were more often thorned, and the colors were altogether darker. Esmerian flowers were rare, but the few she had seen were painted in hues so vivid that they nearly glowed.

She stopped by the creek and stooped to splash water over her face. After a few moments, she realized that in her exhaustion, she'd placed herself a good ways upstream from the others.

She straightened, but before she could close the distance between them, she felt a rush of cold envelop her chest. She first thought she sensed a Nephesh, but that was impossible. They'd destroyed all of them, hadn't they?

A dark shadow flitted through the forest, too tall in form to be a wolf.

Then it was a Reaper she'd sensed. Carissa settled her hand on the pommel of her dagger, only to freeze when the cold sensation clamped more tightly to her heart. A fire raged within her ribs, its flames made of ice.

Not just one Reaper, but many. Perhaps an entire army.

***

Author's Note: Anyone want to check the sneak peek out? 😏 If so, you'll find it in its usual spot.