Chapter 36 - 34- Finding Neria (II)

This was Neria’s first time ever running with these legs. At first, she didn’t know what to do when Ryver started pulling her along, but the moment the adrenaline kicked in again, she found herself sprinting at his pace.

It was hard. Everything pricked at her feet, she could barely see where she was going, and her heart was racing so fast it felt like it was trying to escape her chest. Every breath she took came out shallow and uneven, making her lungs burn as she tried to keep up with Ryver.

"Ryve... slow... down," she tried to say, but there wasn’t enough breath left in her chest for the words to come out properly.

Besides, slowing down wasn’t really an option.

Not when the merchant and his people were still chasing them.

Behind them, she could hear hooting and yelling, their voices carrying through the trees as they tried to keep track of where the two of them had gone. Every now and then, the sound of branches snapping beneath someone’s feet made Neria’s stomach twist.

When she turned her head, she saw a blur of lights in the distance, several small lanterns moving between the trees.

They were coming closer.

"Ryver..." she managed again, this time louder.

"I know," he answered, his voice strained.

His grip around her hand tightened as he pulled her around a tree, nearly making her lose her balance. Neria stumbled, her bare foot landing on something sharp, and a small cry escaped her before she forced herself forward again.

She hated these legs.

They were so sensitive to everything.

Ryver suddenly pulled her closer when the trees ahead became thicker, guiding her through a narrow space between two large trunks.

"Don’t look back," he whispered.

Neria frowned. "Why?"

"Because you’ll slow us down."

She almost argued, but another shout came from behind them.

"There!"

Her body reacted before her mind could.

They started running again, though this time Ryver slowed slightly when the ground beneath them became more uneven. The forest floor was covered in rocks and exposed roots, and Neria was already struggling to keep her balance with every step.

"Why can’t you just use your magic again?" she asked, her words broken by the uneven breaths leaving her.

"It doesn’t work like that, love," Ryver answered, tugging her along. He slowed even more when they reached a particularly rocky part of the forest, his hand tightening around hers as he guided her around the larger stones. "Come on now... don’t slip."

Neria frowned but listened, lifting her feet more carefully as she followed his movements, frowning everytime she stumbled.

Behind them, the voices were still there. Not as close as before, but close enough.

She could hear the men shouting to one another as they searched through the trees, their voices occasionally disappearing before returning with the wind. Neria’s fingers tightened around Ryver’s hand.

"Do you think the Grand Duke is looking for us?"

She hadn’t meant for the question to sound so worried.

Ryver was quiet for a moment as they started to quicken their pace again.

"He probably is," he breathed, his voice strained from running. "But we need to stay alive for him to find us."

Neria looked ahead, though everything was still a blur. She didn’t know if Darian was actually looking for them. She didn’t even know if he knew they had been taken.

But she wanted to believe he did.

She stumbled slightly, and Ryver immediately caught her before she could fall.

"Careful."

"I am being careful."

"I don’t want you to fall and injure yourself."

"I won’t."

Ryver gave her hand another tug, and they continued through the trees.

Neria’s breathing grew heavier again as they moved, her feet aching with every step. She could hear the water now, louder than before, rushing somewhere ahead of them.

And behind them, the men were getting closer.

Soon she was out of strength and out of breath. Her legs were beginning to feel heavy beneath her, each step taking more effort than the last, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep running.

Soon she was out of strength and out of breath. Her legs were beginning to feel heavy beneath her, each step taking more effort than the last, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep running.

They stopped when they reached a waterfall, the roaring water so loud it drowned out the shouting that had been following them. Neria bent forward slightly, trying to catch her breath as she listened to the water crashing somewhere nearby. The mist from the waterfall settled cold against her face, dampening the loose strands of her hair.

Ryver stopped beside her, breathing heavily as he looked around before turning toward her.

"A waterfall..." he heaved, still trying to catch his breath. "And a lake."

Neria barely had time to wonder what he was thinking before he grabbed her hand and started pulling her toward the water.

Neria frowned, digging her feet into the ground. "Where are we going?"

"You’re a mermaid, right?" he asked, pulling her closer despite her resistance.

Neria’s frown deepened. She didn’t like whatever was going through his head. "Ryver, what are you—"

"Stay underwater while I drive them away."

"What?"

He didn’t let her finish.

Before Neria could even process what he had said, Ryver pushed her into the lake.

The cold water swallowed her whole.

Neria’s eyes squeezed shut as she sank beneath the surface, her hair floating around her face as the world above disappeared into a blur of silver and darkness. She instinctively tried to move her legs, but they kicked uselessly beneath her.

She couldn’t swim like this.

Panic immediately rushed through her.

She tried to push herself upward, but her movements only made her sink further.

Then another realization hit her.

She wasn’t breathing.

Neria’s eyes widened.

Oh no.

She couldn’t breathe.

___

Darian had been riding for hours, and whoever had taken Neria and Ryver had gotten so far with them.

He rode deeper into the forest, the black stallion moving quickly beneath him as he followed the glowing, threadlike line coming from the bracelet.

The trees were getting thicker, their branches reaching across the path and forcing him to duck every now and then. He could barely see beyond the narrow stretch of ground lit by the moon, but the bracelet in his hand continued to work.

Every few moments, the thin glow pulsed against his palm, guiding him through the darkness.

Darian glanced down at it again, his brows drawn together. The thing had been useful, but he still didn’t like relying on magic used to imprison people.

He pulled the reins slightly, slowing the stallion as the ground became rougher beneath its hooves. The horse snorted, its breath visible in the cold night air, but Darian urged it forward again.

He needed to find them before the people who had taken them did something stupid.

The thought had barely rested in his mind when he heard voices somewhere ahead.

Darian immediately slowed the horse.

At first, the sounds were faint, almost swallowed by the trees. Then he heard footsteps pounding against the forest floor, followed by someone shouting ’Screw you motherfuckers’

His eyes narrowed.

That voice...

He knew it.

Darian moved the stallion quietly toward the sound, keeping himself among the trees as he tried to see through the darkness.

Then a familiar figure appeared between the trees.

Ryver.

Darian stared at him for a moment.

The elf was running.

Behind him came several men carrying lanterns, their voices growing louder as they chased after him. Some had weapons in their hands, and others were shouting at Ryver to stop.

Darian’s expression slowly hardened.

"What the hell...?"

They all ran past him, barely noticing him in the darkness. The lanterns they carried only lit small patches of the forest, leaving Darian and the black stallion hidden among the trees.

Darian stared for a second, his eyes following the group as they disappeared between the trees.

What the hell was Ryver doing? And why wasn’t he with Neria?

He didn’t have time to figure it out.

Darian kicked the horse at his side, and the stallion responded with a sharp neigh before rushing forward, its hooves pounding against the forest floor as it pushed past the mob.

He needed to get to Ryver before they did.

____

Hi guys! ❤️

I just wanted to say a little thank you for being here and reading this book. I’ve been working really hard on these Chapters, and honestly, sometimes I’m writing when I’m exhausted, so every bit of your support means so much to me.

I’d really love to hear your thoughts so far! Tell me what you think about Neria, Darian, Ryver, and everything that’s been happening. I love reading your theories and reactions, so please don’t be shy!

And if you’re enjoying this one, please check out my other book too! I’d really appreciate the support.

Thank you for reading! ❤️

Your sleep deprived author,

Nera🌟❤️🖤