49. His Weakness
His Weakness
Kaiden
His magic was fading.
Kaiden leaned against the tunnel and shut his eyes against the third muscle tremor within the span of twenty minutes. Or what he assumed was twenty minutes. It was hard to tell deep within the ground.
Cahira glanced behind her. Her lips formed a thin, tight line as she watched him struggle to breathe past the pain.
Their father would have killed him — almost did. Kaiden rubbed his chest where the faint thump of his heart had almost stopped by Ukoron’s power. It was a feeling he would never forget.
“I’m fine,” he whispered.
“You could stay here and catch your breath,” Fintan said from ahead. His own chest heaved with exertion. The result of anxiousness in closed spaces.
“No.” Kaiden wiped the sweat from his brow and sluggishly walked forward. “It’s our fault Aradia was brought into all of this.”
“No, it’s not.” Cahira’s voice was soft, but her face held the glint of an iron forge.
“You’re slowing us down.” The truth slid from Fintan’s lips.
“I gave her my word,” Kaiden growled as he walked past both of them. “I would protect her.”
“Well, you shouldn't have,” Fintan snapped.
Kaiden’s vision spun as Fintan gripped his arm and stopped him in his tracks.
Unshed tears shone in Fintan’s eyes and he blinked them back furiously. “You should not have sworn something you cannot give. Protection?” His laugh was harsh — broken. “You can protect her by letting her go. Anything and everyone that we love ends up hurt or dead if they get too close to us.”
“Fintan,” Cahira gritted out.
“If she’s even alive, the safest place she would be is far away from you. From us all.” Fintan tightened his grip with each point he made.
“Release me.” Kaiden’s hands curled into a fist.
They didn’t have time for this. He didn’t have time to squabble with a heartbroken man, no matter who he had lost. No matter that it was Fintan — his brother. Not when Aradia was facing their biggest threat alone.
“If we make it out of here, you need to let Aradia go.” Fintan stepped closer.
“And you need to remember your place, Aariv.” Kaiden raised to his full height despite the shooting pain. “We’ve both lost too much today as it is. I don’t want to lose you too, but if you don’t release me right now, I swear to all the gods you too will soon join your father.”
“Stop it!” Cahira stepped between them both and shoved Fintan back. Her arms outstretched. “Look at us. Fighting between each other. This is what Ukoron wants, this division. Now, more than ever, we need to be united.”
Kaiden flexed his hands at his side, hoping to hide the shaking tremor from them. Their eyes trailed his movement and they shared a glance of worry — of fear.
“You know it’s true,” Fintan whispered.
Yes! Maybe.
“We don’t have time for this.” Kaiden pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please.” His voice cracked as he felt the raw terror of losing Aradia pierce his heart. “Please. I can’t do this without you.” His gaze traveled to Cahira and then Fintan, who nodded slightly.
An earth-shattering crack echoed through the tunnel, throwing them all off balance and against the walls. Muffled screams sounded ahead of them, and Kaiden’s heart dropped, knowing Aradia could be one of them.
He lunged to the side as the top of the tunnel broke apart and rained down on them.
“Hurry!” Cahira raced forward.
Kaiden’s arms lifted as Fintan gripped underneath them and slung his arm over his shoulder in support.
“Run, brother.” Fintan sucked in the shrinking air as the tunnel caved in behind them.
They ran together until the screams grew clearer, the magic felt darker, and the fear of losing Aradia pulsated with each weak beat of his heart.
I’m coming, Aradia. Hold on, I’m coming for you.