The League of Illusion: Destiny by Vivi Anna

ground.
    “Don’t be stupid, woman,” Acari said. “Stand up.”
    “No, you’ll have to kill me.”
    He sighed, then signaled to the elf holding her up. With an ease she thought impossible, he squatted, flipped her over his shoulder and stood. He handled her as if she weighed no more than a sack of feathers.
    She kicked and screamed as they carried her to the waiting horses outside. The elf slung her over the back of his horse. She immediately slid off, landing in a muddy puddle, then jumped to her feet and tried to make a run for it. She barely made it five feet before Acari threw something at her feet that tangled them up and brought her down. Into another puddle.
    She sat up, spitting muddy water out of her mouth. Wet hair hung in her eyes and she wiped at it. Her wrist throbbed a little and she cradled it to her chest.
    “I admire your spirit, somewhat,” he said. “But you are coming with us. It can either be riding on the horse or tethered behind.”
    “You wouldn’t dare,” she sputtered.
    “Wouldn’t I?” He unwound some rope.
    Resigned to her fate, Drea pushed up to her feet. She was now soaking wet, her hair plastered to her face, and shivering violently. “Are you going to kill me?” She had to ask because what would be the point of her cooperation if they were just going to end her life.
    “No. We need those memories of yours to guide us.”
    Not that she truly believed him, but at least it was something she could cling to until she could figure out a way to escape and find her way back to Sebastian.
    “Fine.” She sloshed back to the horse and let the elf help her up onto the back. She’d bide her time until she could find an opportunity to escape or to kill one of them. Hopefully both.
    “Drea!”
    She turned to see her aunt running toward the burned-down house and Sebastian’s prone form.
    “Aunty!” She reached out a hand toward her, knowing there was nothing she could do for her, especially as all three elves kicked their horses and sent them galloping into the woods.
    Drea kept watching over her shoulder until her village and the important people in it were obscured by the thick copse of trees. She feared she’d never see it or them again.
    Drea didn’t know how long they’d been riding by the time she slumped against the elf in front of her and fell asleep. Exhaustion had kidnapped her. She dreamed while she slept. She dreamed of Sebastian and the first time they’d met...
    It had been market day and she was in the village square picking up the week’s supply of produce and meat. The melons had been extra plump that day. She picked one up and rapped her knuckles against it, then put it to her nose. She could always smell a ripe one.
    That was when she saw him across the square. He was speaking with Claude, the blacksmith. He was difficult not to look at, being so tall and lean, with silky dark hair that hung past his shoulders. She glanced around and saw all the other women noticing him as well. Young and old, it made no matter. The man possessed that kind of allure.
    He looked up then, his gaze catching hers. It was so fierce and intense that it made Drea startle. Her hands flinched and she fumbled the melon, then dropped it. Right on top of the other melons. This in turn made all of those roll and drop to the ground. Two or three rolled out from under the tent and bounced across the cobblestone square.
    Mortified, Drea chased after the melons. She was able to snatch one up but the other continued to roll until it stopped right at Sebastian’s boot toe. He bent over and picked it up.
    “I believe this belongs to you.”
    Her cheeks were aflame and her throat went dry. She could barely get a word out. He handed it to her with a smile that made her knees weak and her belly do interesting flip flops.
    “Thank you,” she managed to squeak.
    “Do you like magic?” he asked unexpectedly.
    “I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve never seen any.”
    Slowly he reached for her