26. Harven
HARVEN
My magic glows over Eve’s concerningly blue skin.
Lying atop my bed, I pour every ounce of my will into her. I send it down our bond. I blast the deepest recesses of my primal magic over her. Desperately hoping it’s enough to wake her.
I can feel her hovering here, clinging to my soul as if it were a tether in the open ocean. I will not let her go.
Her arms rest limply at her sides. The gash on her head enrages me. I channel the anger into my power, letting more flow.
Eve’s shallow breathing turns irregular.
“Eve!” I scream. “Eve! Listen to me, my mate. Come back to me. Wake up. Please. Please!”
She remains still. There’s movement at my back.
I’ve broken with all traditions today as Hyra and other trusted members of court fill my room. Healers stand by, having tried their best to warm her. Their attempts hadn’t worked.
My great and terrible magic was enough to kill my enemies. Can’t it be enough to save my mate?
I clutch her cold hand and kiss her palm.
Lord Bane crouches below me. Pain creases his face as he touches my shoulder.
“I understand now isn’t the time, but I wanted you to know the sharkin talked. We know who’s been feeding him information.”
“Hold them in the cell until—until—”
I couldn’t say it. I wouldn’t leave Eve until she woke up or unless she—
“Understood, my king.”
Bane rises and joins the others.
If she dies, I will last in his world only so long as to torture the ones who plotted this. They will beg for death. I won’t grant it. Not until they’ve suffered as I have for losing her.
If she is gone, I will be too. It can’t all be for nothing. Centuries of death and fighting to only have my mate for two weeks.
“Eve,” I kiss her hand again, pleading. “My love, wake up. I need you.”
Surprised whispers sound off behind me.
I don’t care if they know I love her. I’ll never deny the fact again. If she pulls through, there will be no question about who I belong to. I will proclaim our love from the castle's highest towers.
Word of it will spread into the city and the settlements beyond.
Murmurs quickly turn to gasps as black clouds fill the room. I snarl at the figure who emerges beside me. Her pale lips lift as if she’s happy to see me.
The sadistic witch. This is her fault.
“How dare you give me a mate only for death to snatch her away?” I demand.
Gyll’s smile turns indulgent. She waves a hand over Eve.
“Calm yourself. She’s not dead. Yet.” Her eyes turn sharp. “Nor is the child.”
My whole body goes still. The roaring in my ears is deafening. I look towards the flat planes of Eve’s stomach.
Gyll throws her head back and cackles.
“How else do you think she survived in the water so long? She’s no longer human. Not seafolk, either. She just is.” She traces a claw down Eve’s arm. “But she’s not free of death’s grip just yet.”
“Save her,” I beg. “I’ll give you anything. Please—”
“You’ve been a good king, Harven. I want nothing from you, and you certainly don’t want to owe me.” I couldn’t argue with that, but still. Her gaze gentles. “You can heal her.”
“How?”
Gyll places a slick palm over my racing heart. My magic sings in answer.
“By giving her half your power. I bestowed this magic on you before you were born. I knew you’d need to be powerful to take the throne.
You would’ve done it even without my help.
I gave it to you for this reason.” Her nails bite into my skin.
“Give her your heart. Cleave it in two and place half inside her. Bind her with your power and share your immortality. Weave your lives together and never know a moment apart.”
From the depths of my chest, Gyll pulls an orb of golden light. It swirls like a whirlpool of glittering starlight. Using her deadly claws, she splits it in half. Pain lacerates my body. My power dwindles as I weaken.
The Sea Witch shoves half back into my chest. With my strength restored, she hands me the other half of the sphere.
“Be happy, King Harven. Love her well.”
Gripping my life force, I shove it into Eve’s chest. Amber light envelopes her skin. The blue is cleared away. Her tan skin sparkles, as does her hair.
Pink spots bloom on her cheeks. Her breasts rise and fall with her even breaths.
Our bond snaps tight. Her soul brushes against mine. I feel our hearts beating as one. Sunshine and citrus fill the air. She is in my blood, my lungs. Everywhere.
One soul in two bodies. The mating bond becomes iron.
Unbreakable.
Everlasting.