“Ray, when are you gonna tell me where we’re going?” I asked giggling. It was just before sunset, so the sky was a beautiful mix of reds and oranges.

“Patience, Ar. I know that’s not a strong suit.” He tickled my sides, keeping one hand firmly on our picnic basket.

I gasped, drawing a hand to my chest dramatically. “I can be patient!”

Raydir stopped a little bit further out at a spot that overlooked the dukedoms. Sailor’s Point. Below us, waves crashed against the shore.

“Here we are.” He placed the basket down and pulled out a checkered blanket for us to sit on. “Now, relax while I set up for dinner.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek before disappearing back into the woods for firewood.

I looked out over the water and smoothed out my dress. The fading sun was still high enough to warm my bare shoulders.

“This would be a wonderful spot for Ray to propose,” I whispered to myself.

…

Arwyn.

…

He cooked the quail eggs with bacon and tomato over the fire, rotating them every so often on the skewers he’d brought from the palace.

“This smells amazing, Ray,” I said.

Raydir grinned. “Survival skills. Well, maybe a little fancier than that, but it’s something my father taught me. Cooking, that is.”

“I love it.” I leaned forward and cupped his face with my free hand. “It’s something I hope we’ll teach our children some day.”

…

We danced in the moonlight and Raydir twirled me...Arwyn…that’s when he told me he loved me for the first time ...Help…and in that moment I’d never been happier.

“I love you, too, Raydir.”

…Help Me.

I bolted straight up in bed. Something was wrong.

Darius?

Ar. Help. Please.

I threw the covers off the bed. My heart beated out of control. “Cae! Cae, wake up!”

Caesaria groaned and rolled over to face me. “What is it?”

“Darius is in trouble.” I hopped around trying to pull on my boots but only one was visible. My fingers trembled as I attempted to tie the laces. “Where the hell is the other boot?!”

“Try the living room.” She stood up from the bed, clearly still woozy from sleep.

I hobbled into the other room, pushing at the door. My foot kicked a discarded book across the floor. It landed a few feet away, pointing like an arrow on a compass, to the other boot.

Hurry.

“Cae!” I yelled, frantically.

“Just go! I’ll meet you there.”

I rushed out of the cabin into the darkness of the night. I’m coming, Dar. God, please be okay.

The door was unlocked when I got to his cabin. Why would the door be unlocked? An uneasy fog hung in the air as Caesaria and I rushed inside.

“Darius!” I shook him awake. His forehead burned hot and his skin was slick with sweat.

“Arwyn,” he moaned, his breath coming in short gasps. “Get. Raydir.” He coughed, keeling over.

“Okay. What—what do I do? How…” My vision blurred. This was not good. Dammit, why now?!

My gaze traveled to the scratch on his arm that had been bandaged from the rogue attack. It was an angry shade of red and the skin around it was swollen. The blisters I had noticed when we first found him that day in the woods had deepened, threatening to burst at any moment.

That can’t be good.

“Dar, your arm,” I breathed.

“Just get me there.” He coughed.

Carefully, I wrapped my arm around his waist and practically dragged him to the door. Caesaria rushed into view, taking a spot on the other side.

“What happened?” she asked.

“No idea.” I grunted under his weight.

Once there, I pounded on the door.

“Raydir! Open up, it’s Arwyn! Something’s wrong with Darius, we need you NOW!”

The door opened a beat later by a very tired Raydir. With one look, he ushered us inside.

“What happened?” Raydir asked. He sent Caesaria to take Darius into the other room.

“I have no idea. I was asleep and he mind-linked me. When I got to the cabin, he was sweating and—what are you doing?” In my panic, I’d followed him mindlessly into the kitchen.

He handed me a mug. “Drink. It’ll calm the nerves.”

“Raydir, the last thing I need is tea!”

“Arwyn.” He covered my hands with his. “Drink the tea. I was going to make some for Darius anyway to calm his system.”

“So what’s happening to him? You seem awfully calm considering we just barged into your cabin in the middle of the night.”

“The rogue scratch. It’s—”

“Infected?”

“No, he’s just having a bad reaction.” He finished pouring the second cup and brought it back to Darius, instructing him to drink it slowly before handing the cup off to Caesaria. “I was a little worried this would happen but he’s clear of the window when a reaction should’ve occurred. I’m surprised it took this long to take effect.”

“But you can fix it, right? You can help him?”

“Yes. I have something to treat the wound with, but I’m going to need you to stay out here.” He led me back out to the living room and sat me down on the couch.

I nodded. “Take care of him.”

“I will.”

Raydir went to relieve Caesaria of her duties in the second bedroom and closed the door. For the next thirty minutes, I paced the cabin floor. Every now and then I’d hear yells from Darius followed by curses from Raydir. It took all my energy not to barge into the room to be by his side. Caesaria left to check on the medical cabin for more supplies, leaving me all alone.

I drained two cups of ibisco tea while I waited, so when Raydir exited the bedroom I was very jittery—which was not the tea, but rather my nerves.

“He’s resting. I had to give him a sedative to calm his heart rate, and he should be fine. He just needs to sleep it off for a while.”

I let out a sigh of relief, throwing my arms around Raydir’s neck. “Thank you. For everything. I’m so sorry we woke you.”

Raydir stiffened but still rubbed circles on my back to comfort me. I pulled back, blushing, remembering that I couldn’t just let my body give in to him like I used to.

“Here.” He took my hands in his and led me to the couch. “Sit. Close your eyes.”

I felt the couch shift under his weight as it was clear he’d gotten up. Peeking open one eye, I saw that Raydir had gone over to the closet on the far side of the room.

“What are you doing?” I asked, wrinkling my nose.

“You’re not keeping your eyes closed.”

I huffed. “Okay, fine. Happy now?”

Get a grip, the voice in my head scolded. He’s letting you back into his home after everything you did to him.

He walked back over and sat down, presenting the paints I had gifted him. “Yes.”

“Raydir, the last time we used paints, we used them for more…intimate purposes. If I remember correctly, we were both in various states of nakedness.” My cheeks flushed at the memory and suddenly I longed for the feeling of his fingers stroking every inch of my body.

He laughed. “That’s true. But this is different.” He held the brush over my hand. “Like when we were kids, right?”

My lips twitched up into a small smile. “Like when we were kids.” I rested my arm across his knee, and he traced swift patterns with the paint across my arm and hand. The movement calmed my heartbeat, and I wondered how it was that Raydir could be so skilled in art yet his calling was as a healer because of his gift.

Well, I am a skilled archer and my calling is…what was my calling? Ruining my best friend’s life? I told him we’d be together forever and then I fell for another almost immediately. That was the lowest thing I could have possibly done. And I had no one to blame but myself.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked.

“Because even though we’re not together anymore, you still mean something to me.” Pain trickled into his voice.

I sighed. “I’m sorry for everything. I haven’t treated you right since we got to Darqua. I promised to be yours forever and I left you for someone else.”

Silence fell between us.

“Do you regret it?” he asked. “The choice?”

“I don’t know.” Did I?

“This doesn’t mean we’re okay. But we’re also not not okay.” He sighed. “C’mere.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and let me lean my head against his chest. Even while mad, he still had my best interests in mind.

I drifted off in the comfort of his embrace, my mind wandering to all ends.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Before I knew it, I was shaken awake by the sound of soft voices and clinking dishes. I sat straight up, blinking my eyes as I took in my surroundings. I must’ve fallen asleep on the couch because there was a blanket covering me and my neck was extremely stiff.

“Darius?” I called out, my throat aching and dry.

“He’s fine,” Raydir replied, sitting down next to me. “His fever is down, and we’re sure he’s going to make a full recovery.”

I wiped at my eyes with my hands. “Good. That’s…where is he?”

“He’s still asleep,” another voice said. Caesaria. She walked into view, handing me a cup of tea. “Drink this.”

“Do you need anything from me?” I asked.

“Nothing at the moment.”

I paused with the cup halfway to my mouth. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Go, take a few minutes to rest.” She placed her hand gently on my shoulder and inclined her head to the second bedroom where Darius was sleeping. His eyes were closed and his mouth hung open ever so slightly.

“Hey you,” I whispered as I went to sit by his bedside. “I won’t leave you, I promise. God, I just wish we could have a do-over.”

Muffled voices carried over from the living room. I gave his hand a squeeze then pressed my ear against the door.

“How bad is it, really?” Caesaria asked.

“Darius is having a reaction to the rogue scratch. The healers need something to combat the reaction, but so far we’ve come up dry.”

“What about a blood sample from someone who we know doesn’t have any traces of the rogue?”

A pause. Then, “That could work.”

The floor creaked under my foot, and both Raydir and Caesaria turned to look at me lurking in the doorway.

“I’ll do it,” I blurted. “The sample that you need. I…let me give it.”

Raydir glanced hesitantly at Caesaria before replying. “I think that should work.” He checked his watch. “One of the healers will be dropping by soon to help me transport Darius to the medical cabin.

“And you’re sure he’ll be okay?”

“He’s going to be fine. We have to keep him at the medical cabin for a few days to monitor.”

I hesitated. “Before I left, you said Darius wasn’t the only attack. Have there…have there been other reactions?”

Raydir nodded. “Yes. So far, only a few of those who were attacked have developed the same symptoms as Darius. Caesaria reported the numbers to me last night.”

“Only a few? How many were attacked?”

“I have to get back,” he said, not answering my question. “Caesaria, stay with Arwyn today.” The urgency in his voice was a testament to the look of fear and uncertainty on his face.

Cae nodded. “Will do.”

“How many, Cae?”

“Let’s go get some breakfast. It’ll be easier to talk once you’re more awake.”

“No!” I stood up abruptly, my legs nearly buckling beneath me. Woah, not good. What was happening?

“Ar, take a moment.” She curled her fingers around my arm to steady me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, letting out a shaky breath. “I think so. Let’s go.”

She led me outside, and it suddenly felt like all eyes were on me. Staring. Whispering. Wondering.

“Ah, just the one we were looking for,” Bennett greeted us.

Rosie stood by his side, offering a smile in my direction then turned to Caesaria. “Have you told her?”

“Told who what?” I asked.

“You, Arwyn,” he replied.“You are one of our best archers—one of the best archers I’ve ever seen. The only one whose skill compared was your sister.”

“Bennett, now is not the time,” Caesaria said. “We’ve had a bit of a situation.”

“What do my archery skills have to do with anything?”

“Nothing.” Caesaria gave a pointed look at Bennett before he could open his mouth. “Let’s just eat our breakfast in peace, shall we?”

A server set down a platter of bread topped with spinach and eggs and garnished with pieces of ham.

With everything that had happened, I wasn’t hungry.

“Arwyn, you need to eat something,” Caesaria said. “Ray is taking care of Darius. Everything will work out, okay?”

I shook my head. “How do you know? Ninety percent of those attacked by the rogue are in the same position.”

“We don’t. But we have to have hope.”

I sighed. “I need to take my mind off of it. So, Bennett, what was it you wanted to tell me?”

“We wanted to give you a position on the Council as a lead trainer. The plan had been to tell you last night, but—”

“I told you, Bennett. Arwyn was recovering from her journey. Did you really think it would be best to spring this on her then?”

“Now isn’t much better I presume,” Bennett said, offering me a small smile. “We don’t need to do this now.”

“No, it’s alright.” I poked at the eggs on my plate. “I’ll be fine. So, training. What exactly is it that the Council wants me to do?”

“We wanted you to help train some of the folks here. We’ll give you a small group to start with, and Fletcher will be by your side the whole time.”

“Just to train them in archery?” I asked. “I’ve spent twenty years of my life developing my skill. It’s not just something you learn overnight.”

“Several folks here are skilled in archery,” Rosie assured me. “We just need someone to help strengthen those skills. Just simple target practice.”

“You really don’t have to, Ar,” Caesaria said, sending a glare in Rosie’s direction. “We can understand if you still need time.”

I shook my head. “No, I can do this. I need the distraction.”

“Okay, good.” Rosie stood up. “Your first set of trainees will be at the archery spot in an hour. We wouldn’t ask you to do this if—”

“I got it, Rosie.” I stood up from the table and excused myself. One hour. I had one hour to clear my head. Again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I trudged through the woods, hoping to get as far away from civilization as possible. Everything over the last few days had absolutely sucked.

Is this my punishment? Hurting my boyfriend because I chose him over Raydir after everything? Was this my fault?

All I wanted to do was crawl into bed with Darius and go back to sleep. I missed his warm presence around me, the way he held me while we slept.

A wave of guilt washed over me. Was I really doing this? Raydir had given up everything for me and here I was wallowing over someone who I said yes to over my best friend of sixteen years.

A ‘someone’ I chose over my best friend.

But at what cost?

I still loved him but hell if he knew it from the way I’d been acting.

God, did I really give him up without a second thought? I was a terrible friend. No. I was a terrible soulmate. Raydir deserved so much better than that. Better than me.

And because I loved him, he was still in danger.

My sister. My father. Darius. The rogue was going after everyone I’d ever loved, not including the attack on me.

But it wasn’t me that mattered right now. I had to protect my loved ones from any more danger.

I willed myself to shift, taking off at a run through the woods. The wind whipped through my fur and my senses led me to the watergrasses by the lake.

The lake…

The lake where we’d seen the rogue three times.

Maybe that meant it lived close by?

I stopped, frozen at the edge of the lake as I shifted back into human form. Dipping my fingers in the water, an immediate surge of energy flowed through me. I dove in, taking long strokes to float myself down the lake toward the waterfall. Once on the other side, I emerged back onto dry land. Crystal blue water cascaded over my showers as I smoothed my hair back.

Okay, Arwyn. Control. Focus. Be the water.

I swiped my hands out in front of me as if opening sliding doors. The falls parted like a curtain. I smiled. With a thrust of my left hand, I pushed the curtain of water outwards and then pulled it back towards myself.

Another thrust forward and a swirl with my right hand. The water bent to obey my commands. Satisfied with my success, I moved on to shape small spheres of water. The bubbles floated up above me.

“Darius, I don’t think it is a threat. Look.” I repeated the gesture, and the rogue jumped at each of the bubbles this time. “He likes it. Like a game.”

My focus deteriorated, and the water splashed at my feet. I tried to chase the memory out of my head.

“Dammit!”

I dropped down to a rock and held my head in my hands.

The rogue. The same rogue that I played with attacked Darius. This was my fault. This was all my fault.

Fueled by my element, the desire to fix the situation offered a wave of confidence that urged me to redeem myself. Darius may’ve been my guardian but it was my turn to protect him. I would not let this rogue scare me out of my new home. I was going to find that bastard’s hideout.

I willed the water to part for me, creating a small wave to lift me up as if on a throne. I turned to face the waterfall, watching where it disappeared several feet above me. With another push of my hands, the wave raised me up higher and higher until the ground below me began to fade away.

Now what?

I floated at the top, the edge of the cliff just out of reach.

Okay, carefully….CAREFULLY!

The wave pushed me forward in small bumps, and I tumbled into a somersault on the grass. I stood up and brushed myself off.

“Well that was graceful,” I said out loud.

The top of the waterfall reminded me of the rest of the valley. It was covered in a luscious green coating of grass with small purple flowers sprouting up from the ground. To my right was the mouth of a cave. Darkness protruded from the opening, urging me forward.

I paused. If this was the rogue’s home, this would be like entering the lion’s den. Unprepared. No idea what to expect.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.