54. Maddy
Chapter 54
Maddy
M adivia.
The voice is inside my head, and I don't recognize it. The world around me blurs and stills, sounds muffling as if heard through water. For a beat, I believe that time truly has stopped.
It's now or never, Madivia.
The dagger, still clutched in my hand, sears hot, and I gasp.
If the helm overcomes him here, the devastation will destroy this entire realm.
"Tell me what to do."
Take him somewhere he can't hurt anyone.
"What? How? Where?" The questions tumble from my mouth through sobs. I can't get close to him, and my body is burning.
Pain shoots up my spine, and I arch with a cry.
Letting him go will be the hardest thing you ever do, Madivia. But you can save lives. And you'll restore his honor. By my own godly power, I swear to you he will go to the afterlife cleared of all accusations. He will feast in Valhalla.
Another wrenching sob leaves my lips, and the pain intensifies, centering between my shoulder blades.
Featherblade's power is with you, Madivia. Save your sister, your allies, the Valkyrie fighting below. Take him where he can hurt nobody.
"I can't let him die." The words hurt to say aloud. I'm choking.
You can't save him. Save everyone else.
I let out a gasp as power erupts through me.
Wings. Wings opening on either side of my body.
I can't see them. I can't see anything but fire. But I know they are there. I feel their strength, their ice-cold presence.
"I'll help you reach him." Thyrvi's voice drags another agonized sob from my chest.
She knows. She knows I can't come back from this.
But he can't die alone.
Thyrvi bounds forward, and with a roar, the fires ebb, sprays of snow and ice from her fur flying everywhere. The spell is broken, time is restored, and Thyrvi's fur is covered in catching flames.
"No! I'm sorry. I love you," I choke out, and send her to the darkness.
I summon every bit of magic I have, blind with grief, and throw out my arms.
Everything around me freezes.
The fire stops.
I'm made of ice.
Kain is on the ground, barely conscious.
"I love you," I whisper as I lift him. Thick slabs of ice form under my hands, helping me, lending me strength.
I beat my wings. I am unsteady at first, and I tip. But I try again.
My feet leave the ground, and we rise.
"Princess," Kain mumbles, "run. Please, I can't keep hold it much longer."
"I'm not leaving you, Kain."
His eyes open, and I beat my new wings harder. We soar over the battlefield.
I'm moving faster than should be possible, ground shooting by below us.
My arms are around his huge chest, shards of ice locking him against me. "Madivia, what are you doing?" His cry ends with a gasp of pain, and his eyes slam shut again.
"Just hold on a little longer," I tell him.
The blade is guiding me, making me faster than any fae should be able to move. I know where we're going.
"I'm taking you home. I'm so sorry they punished you. I'm so sorry for everything."
I can't see for tears, but it doesn't matter. The blade leads the way.
"I don't regret meeting you. I regret nothing." I know he's concentrating on containing the gods power, but I can't fly him in silence. We're almost there, and I keep talking.
"I love you. I love who you've made me. You gave me Thyrvi. I became the real me because of you."
He groans, and I have no idea if he can hear me or not. I just need him to know he's not alone.
"We're here, Kain."
My wings slow as we arrive above the barren shell that used to be the Fire Court.
There's nobody here to kill or harm.
"You're home," I tell him. "And you're not alone. You'll never be alone again."