Chapter 43 #2
It gave me direction and purpose, making me fight harder than I ever knew I could. Love is not the fragile, dangerous thing I was taught to fear. But something fierce. Steady. Devastatingly powerful. That leaves everything it touches changed. Like a fire refining a blade.
Not taking that antidote is my greatest regret.
If I could go back, I’d take the risk and trust the love in Caelus’s eyes.
I don’t need the Heartfiller the Benevolent made.
I don’t need to numb the pain. I’ve needed this.
And I’ve had it. I was just too scared to look at it.
I’ve spent so long believing I could protect Serafina or love Caelus. And now, it’s time to tell him goodbye.
I can’t do it.
I can’t bargain with love. That cheapens it.
I can embrace it. Hold it. Protect it. Fight for it. Even if it costs me everything.
That is a freedom not even Skyborn have.
I stare in Caelus’s eyes, and it’s like seeing clearly for the first time.
“We have to do this. And we have to do it together. Can’t you see?
” He shakes his head, but I start again before he can speak.
“Love is power, you’re right. But not in the way Skyborn think.
Look at us, a Skyborn prince and a Saltblood.
We couldn’t be more different, but we’re fighting, together, against all odds to free people from your father’s tyranny. Because—”
“Because this is so important our differences don’t matter.”
“Exactly. That is the power the Benevolent fears.” I move closer to Caelus, lacing my fingers between his. He is stiff, staring at me, unbelieving, still digesting the words I’m saying.
“The Benevolent’s greatest lie is the claim that love isn’t what our hearts are aching for. Not a dose of feel-good, a momentary facade of happy, not numbness. But this. Something out of his control. Something that threatens the ground he stands on. Real, true, enduring, self-sacrificing love.”
He blinks, still staring in disbelief.
“Caelus, I’m not getting on that ship. I’m not leaving you here.”
His lips part, but no sound comes out. “Leaving me here?” he finally says. “I can’t go with you. I am Ethyria. The people need me. That ship is your only chance at getting what you want.”
“No, it’s not. Not anymore. I’m not taking the stupid boat,” I add, softer now, almost laughing through tears.
“Axir—”
But I don’t let him finish. I close the distance between us in a heartbeat, rising on my toes as my hands find the sides of his face. I pull him down and press my lips to his, tasting his surprise. He stiffens for a second—but only that. Then, he melts.
He wraps around me like he’s been waiting forever, like he’s been drowning and I am his first breath. His arms circle my waist and lift me off the ground, pulling me into him until nothing else exists. Just his warmth. Just his mouth on mine.
The kiss is messy at first—clumsy and desperate, like we’re both afraid it’ll disappear if we don’t hold tight enough.
But then it slows. He steadies. One of his hands slides up my back, fingers threading into my hair.
His other arm holds me secure against him.
His lips grow gentler. He kisses me like he’s memorizing me—like he’s drinking in every second because he knows what it cost to get here.
And I let him.
I sink into him completely. I kiss him like I’m telling him everything I couldn’t say before—every longing, every sleepless night, every word I was too afraid to speak.
That with him love is not a weapon, it is a solace.
Then, I kiss him like it’s not goodbye. Because it’s not.
His forehead comes to rest against mine, and we’re both breathing hard, our chests rising and falling in sync.
His eyes are closed. His lips are still parted, like he can’t quite believe it happened.
Neither can I.
The question lingers between us—what now? I’m not leaving, so what am I doing? It feels insurmountable, but we found this moment. Against every rule, every fear, every impossible cost. We can’t stop now.
“The magic,” I say. “You wanted to steal it from your father to do what, exactly?”
“Without his magic, he can’t make Heartfillers, so his hold on Ethyria will weaken. I can unseat him and someone can take power in his place.”
Someone. Not him…
“We can bring real peace to this island. But Axira, I don’t see how—”
“The Benevolent is the real person to blame for Mae and the others, more than anyone.” The Benevolent wants us to blame each other, I realize.
Division is his strategy. But he did this.
He put us in this carnage to make us desperate.
The thought is freeing. “He is the one who should fall off a cliff.”
Everyone should know the powerful freedom love gives. It shouldn’t be treated like a weapon and wielded like a whip.
“The Ascension Ceremony is tonight,” I say.
“We’re still here. Rhythe and Ivy haven’t made their move yet.
And we don’t know if they’re still planning to assassinate the Benevolent or if they’ll succeed.
Why can’t we show up and steal the magic as planned?
Use whatever they’re planning as our own distraction to get away? ”
Caelus screws up his mouth. “Serafina?”
“Could Rhianne smuggle her out? She got us a ship. And besides, if we can unseat your father, Serafina is safe.” We’re all safe.
“Hmm.”
“Walk me through how to steal the magic.” I settle back onto his bed, pulling him to sit beside me.
“Explain every detail. It would be good to know the setup of the ceremony, how it will go, who all will be there, and the escape routes of the arena. We have to at least get out of the Citadel. Once we get out of the palace, we can use the same tunnels I use to smuggle Heartfillers to move through the city. Maybe we hide out in the Hollow. Or is so close to the palace a risk? Hiding under their noses could be smart—”
He is smiling so big it makes me smile too.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.”
“It’s obviously something.”
“You’d topple an entire kingdom to get what you want. My mother was that way.”
“You have to tell me more about her.”
“I will. One day.” Grief is heavy between his words.
I lay my head on his shoulder, remembering the first time a blade was put in my hand. “And I’ll tell you about my father.”
And how I now know, deep in my bones—he was a rebel.