24. Lirien
24
LIRIEN
I lean against the door, letting out a shuddering breath. The stone corridor's chill seeps through my robes, but it does nothing to cool the heat of frustration and hurt burning in my chest.
A familiar presence looms at the end of the hallway – Kaelor's massive form cast in shadow, his amber eyes gleaming as he watches me. The torchlight catches his silver-streaked fur, making him look ethereal despite his fierce appearance.
"He upsets you." Kaelor pushes off the wall, his claws clicking against the stone as he approaches. His rough palm cups my cheek, and despite everything, I lean into the touch. Our bond soothes me.
I laugh, but it comes out weak. "Seth said the same thing."
Kaelor's thumb traces the scar on my cheek – the one Darak gave me. His growl rumbles deep in his chest. "I don't like him."
The words hang between us as Kaelor studies my face. His nose twitches, scenting the air. Those amber eyes narrow, and I know he can smell my tears, my frustration, maybe even my desire. The bond makes it impossible to hide anything from them.
"But you like him," he says slowly, each word careful and measured. "And you want him to stay."
I close my eyes, unable to meet his gaze. Because he's right – I do want Darak to stay. But his choice is made.
"I need to prepare for tomorrow's ritual," I say, pushing away from Kaelor's touch. My legs shake, betraying my exhaustion. "The Day of Valentia is our only chance to break?—"
Kaelor swoops down, lifting me into his arms before I can finish. His fur tickles my cheek, carrying the scent of pine and earth. "You've done enough walking, sweet prey."
I relax against his chest, remembering simpler days when it was just the three of us. Sethrys with his riddles and schemes, Kaelor with his fierce protection. Even when they fought the bond, they never fought me the way Darak does. Never made me question everything.
"Your thoughts are loud," Kaelor rumbles, his claws gentle as they trace patterns on my arm.
"Can you blame me?"
"No." His amber eyes soften. "But you can't keep him."
The truth of it settles in my chest like lead. "I know."
"Then why torture yourself?" His grip tightens fractionally. "Why torture him?"
I press my face into his fur, hiding from the question. Because I wanted more. Because it would be so easy if he would just stop fighting what he feels—what he really feels.
"I'm not," I insist. "I'm letting him go."
The scent of jasmine and sage hits me as Kaelor carries me into the main chamber. My breath catches at the sight – hundreds of candles flicker in careful patterns across the floor, their light dancing off Sethrys's emerald scales as he places the final touches on an intricate ritual circle. Flower petals and crystals form delicate spirals between the chalk lines, and strings of dried herbs hang from the ceiling.
"Seth?" I whisper as Kaelor sets me down. My bare feet touch cool stone scattered with soft petals.
Sethrys's golden eyes meet mine. "Surprised?"
"What is all this?" I gesture at the decorations, the incense burning in copper bowls.
He slithers closer, his movements fluid and graceful. "The Day of Valentia marks two years since you brought us together." His hand cups my cheek, scales cool against my skin. "Last year was... complicated. We were all still adjusting."
"Not me," Kaelor rumbles behind me. "I was ready. You were jealous."
"That too." Sethrys chuckles. "But whether your dark elf chooses to stay or go, you deserve to be celebrated."
Before I can respond, he pulls me into a deep kiss. His lips are soft, familiar, and I melt into it as his tail coils loosely around my waist. When we part, my eyes are damp.
"Thank you," I whisper, overwhelmed by the love radiating through our bonds. Whatever happens tomorrow with Darak, I'm not alone. But without him, it will take a while to recover.
The candles flicker as I trace the final rune with trembling fingers. "Seth, would you fetch him?"
Seth's scales catch the light as he slithers toward the door. "Are you certain?"
"Just do it." My voice cracks. His concern washes over me.
Minutes stretch like hours until footsteps echo down the corridor. Darak enters, his crimson eyes reflecting the candlelight. The sight of him makes my chest ache.
"Come." I gesture to the circle's center. "Kneel here."
He moves with fluid grace, dropping to one knee before me. His expression remains carefully neutral, but the bond betrays his turmoil – anger, hurt, confusion all swirling together.
Kaelor's claws scrape against stone as he paces the circle's perimeter. His amber eyes never leave Darak, muscles coiled tight beneath his dark fur. Seth mirrors him on the opposite side, his tail swishing in agitation.
"Whatever happens," I say, forcing steadiness into my voice, "stay outside the circle."
"We know the rules, pet," Seth replies, but his golden eyes betray his unease.
I focus on Darak, still kneeling before me. His dark hair falls loose around his shoulders, and my fingers itch to run through it one last time. The bond thrums between us, stronger than ever despite everything.
"Look at me," I whisper.
He raises his head, and for a moment I see past the warrior's mask – see the man who held me through stormy nights, who kissed my scars, who made me believe that he could truly love me.
I close my eyes against the sight. I can't falter now. The Day of Valentia only comes once a year, and the breaking must be done.
I raise my hands, feeling the magic pulse through the circle. "The Day of Valentia is upon us."
The candlelight catches in Darak's crimson eyes as he kneels before me. My throat tightens, but I force the words out.
"It is a day of love, devotion, and sacrifice, as Valentia sacrificed herself to spare the ones she loved, and they sacrificed themselves in devotion to her."
A petal drifts between us, carried by an unseen breeze. My fingers tremble as I trace the next rune in the air. The magic burns beneath my skin, eager to be released.
"But this year, today is about forgiveness." My voice cracks. Behind me, I hear Kaelor's low whine. "Valentia, I beg for your forgiveness for wasting this perfect, generous blessing you bestowed upon me. And Darak..."
Our bond trembles and I catch my breath at the intensity of his emotions – anger, betrayal, and underneath it all, a tenderness that breaks my heart.
"I beg your forgiveness for deceiving you. Even one lie is one too many, despite the truth we've shared."
Seth's scales rasp against stone as he shifts. The sound steadies me, reminds me why I must do this. I spread my arms wide, letting the magic flow freely.
"On this Day of Valentia, I sacrifice my love in turn for your freedom, Darak. So that you might find true happiness elsewhere, untainted by my heart."
Green light erupts from the circle, whipping my hair around my face. Flower petals spiral through the air, caught in the magical current. The breaking has begun.
Pain rips through me like molten steel, tearing a scream from my throat before I can stop it. My knees buckle, but I force myself to stay upright, digging my nails into my palms until they draw blood. The magic burns as it peels away layers of our connection, each strand feeling like a knife dragging through my soul.
The agony is worse than I imagined - worse than when Darak's blade scarred my cheek, worse than any spell gone wrong. Each severed thread between us feels like losing a piece of myself, but I endure it, knowing this sacrifice is the only way to set things right. My vision blurs, dark spots dancing at the edges, but I can still make out his shadowy form through the spinning petals.
Kaelor's roar echoes through the chamber. Through blurred vision, I see his massive form surge forward, claws extended.
"Stay back!" Seth's tail whips out, blocking his path. "The circle must remain unbroken. Interfering could destroy your own bonding."
"She's hurting!" Kaelor's growl reverberates off the stone walls.
"Liri?" Seth's voice carries a tremor I've never heard before. "We can stop?—"
"No!" I grit my teeth tighter, steadying myself. "I won't... won't waste this chance." The words come out between gasps as another wave of agony courses through me.
I won't let him be miserable, stuck with me for an entire year.
The bond stretches thin between Darak and me, each severed thread leaving an emptiness worse than the pain. It's like watching pieces of my soul unravel, one excruciating strand at a time. Tears stream down my face, but I keep my eyes locked on his. His crimson gaze burns with something I can't bear to name - an emotion too raw, too honest for what we are.
"I will still love you," I whisper, the words catching in my throat.
The truth of them cuts deeper than the magic ever could. Even now, with everything falling apart, I know it's not a lie. The realization terrifies me more than the ritual itself.
White-hot pain lances down my spine, like molten metal being poured through my veins. My back arches and I can't hold back the cry that tears from my lips. A candle knocks to the ground as I stumble backward. The flame sputters against the stone floor, casting wild shadows that dance like the chaos in my heart.
"STOP!" Darak's voice thunders through the chamber, raw with desperation.