Chapter 87
“Aeliana?” someone murmured in her ear. “It’s time to take your mother to the Stars.”
She held tighter to her mother’s arm, refusing to leave her body. Marnok and Rildan had stepped away a while ago, either because they needed less time or to give her privacy. But Aeliana couldn’t imagine any instance in which she would abandon her mother to be burned up by the Stars.
“It’s time, love.” The voice came again, and Aeliana struggled to focus on Iris, who sat beside her.
“Maybe there’s a way to bring her back,” Aeliana said, turning to her mother so she didn’t have to acknowledge the pity on Iris’ face.
She pulled the clamshell from her pocket, discovering it was cracked and damaged beyond repair.
The gemstone within remained free of scratches, its glitter giving her a strange surge of hope.
Enla had suggested it held power, but how could she unlock it? And could it ever be enough?
Her father swapped out with Iris, placing an arm around Aeliana.
“Bringing her back from the dead is something that Mayvus would try to do. Even if it worked, would your mother want that? Would she ever be the same? She’s caught a glimpse of the Sun by now.
She will long for that more than she will long to be here with us.
Let the Stars send her the rest of the way. ”
A fresh wave of tears streamed down Aeliana’s cheeks, and she shook her head, even though she knew her father was right.
She sat there longer, stubbornly refusing to leave until a foreign tug pulled on her heart.
She rubbed at her chest, warding it away even as the feeling grew—the sense of someone suffering alongside her, sharing her burden in an effort to make it lighter.
Finally, the pull grew too strong, and she stood, tucking the Sayhleen pearl back in her pocket and taking in the full picture of blood seeping from her mother’s chest. Sylmar had kept it quick and clean.
But even that realization wasn’t enough to let her forgive him.
She let her gaze rise to the others around her, even the Recreants beyond, each one paused for her to give some sort of instruction.
She swallowed hard. Without her mother, they waited to see if she would step up.
Without Sylmar, she had to decide if she truly wanted this.
She caught Kendalyhn’s eye from across the room, and the other woman gave an encouraging nod, placing three fingers on her forehead and giving a slight bow in Aeliana’s direction.
If she did this, it would have to be on her own terms. The tug on her heart sharpened, as if confirming her choice.
“Take my mother to one of the towers,” she conceded. “I’ll come when I’m ready.” As she turned away, Iris protested.
“Where are you going, love? It’s not safe out there. Not until we sort the branded from the followers.”
Others chimed in with their concern, but she ignored them, and the tug in her chest grew stronger, stealing away her breath.
Through the broken window, she could only see the black of night, so she went through the door instead.
As she walked through the chaotic halls, her presence brought a hush that followed her through to the gates.
“I know you’re out here,” she murmured, picking up her pace until she reached a large enough clearing. Several soldiers still occupied it, but they would run quickly enough when they saw Durriken approach. She closed her eyes, homing in on how close he might be.
Sure enough, shouts filled the air, bringing her eyes open to see the dragon she sensed coming in to land.
As the terrified soldiers dispersed, Aeliana raised her arms, signaling Durriken in.
When he landed, she held her ground for the first time before rushing to lean in and wrap her arms around the smooth portion of his neck.
A thrum of sorrow reverberated through his throat, echoing the cry in her heart.
No words needed to be exchanged, whether out loud or in their minds.
They stood in silence, the loss of Emeris melding with memories of Durriken’s own family losses.
Even as their individual pain deepened, it softened as they shared the weight between them.
“The Stars will come to take her,” Aeliana finally said. “I wish to watch.”
He lowered his only foreleg, allowing her to climb up his scales and take her place behind his neck. And together they rose into the night sky.