28. Elora
28
ELORA
T he sun had long since set, and the castle had grown quiet. Over the past couple of months my brother had lightened the security, and I was able to roam pretty freely now.
I was thankful not to have eyes on me at all times.
Tonight, I found myself in the garden. The night air was crisp, and I pull my robe around me tightly. Glancing up at the moon, I close my eyes and sigh, soaking up its light.
Since Lucifer had shown, thoughts of Amon filled my mind.
I fought the urge to talk to my brother about what happened. It was a threat, I knew it was, but for life of me I couldn’t figure out why.
I had gone over it in my head.
It just didn’t make any sense.
Why was I such a threat? And what had Lucifer meant about keeping it this way?
“You would’ve made such a worthy match.”
The words echo in my mind. I don’t understand what he meant by that, but I worry at my lower lip as I contemplate the statement for the thousandth time today.
“Hello, Elora.”
A familiar voice startles me, and I turn with a gasp.
My stomach lurches into my throat.
Allocer stood on the walkway, his hands in his pockets. A second passes before I run to him, flinging my arms out to wrap around his waist.
“Allocer!” I cry.
He lets out a grunt, but then his arms wrap around me in a warm hug.
We hold each other like that for a moment before he wraps his hands around my upper arms to hold me at arm’s length.
“It’s so good to see you.” He says before he pulls me back in for another hug.
“I wish it were under better circumstances.” The words are softly spoken, and I pull away to look up at him.
My stomach sinks and I frown, pulling my robe around me tighter.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask warily.
When Allocer doesn’t respond right away the dread within me takes hold. “Allocer what’s wrong?”
He regards me a moment more before reaching for my hand.
“Is there a place we can talk?
I look down at my hand in his and nod, not sure how to feel or what to think. If he’s here, in my garden, in Delyra, it couldn’t be good.
“Follow me.” I say, leading him from the garden.
I place a finger to my lips to hush him as I listen at the glass doors leading into the main hall. This late the castle is quiet save for one or two servants.
I crack open the door, listening for movement before I gesture for him to follow me. Turning to look over my shoulder, I frown.
He wasn’t there.
I look around me, wondering if maybe he’d gotten past me somehow, but suddenly the air shimmers and I can make out a faint outline.
“I’m here.” He whispers. “It’s glamour. No one will know I’m with you.”
I hum curiously, reaching out with a hand. When my hand meets the fabric of his vest I jump slightly.
It was off putting to hear and feel someone but not see them.
“This way.” I finally say as I lead him to the library. As we pass the threshold I pause. I hadn’t stepped foot in here since my return.
The smell assaults my senses and I let out a small sigh. Grabbing a candelabra, I take the stairs two at a time, stopping to grab the key out of its compartment on the bookshelf.
I hand the candelabra to a now-visible Allocer as I lean over to fit it into the lock. The door unlocks with a clunk, and I push the door open, ushering him inside. I turn to make sure no one saw me enter before closing the door behind us.
Once in, I turn, placing the key on the table. Allocer sets the candelabra on the table before he pulls a chair out for me, gesturing for me to sit.
I take the offered seat, watching as he pulls out a chair, turning it to face me.
He pushes his glasses onto his nose as he sits, regarding me quietly.
The dread I felt in the garden returns, and I wring my hands nervously.
When Allocer doesn’t say anything right away, I lash out.
“Spill it!”
Allocer sighs.
“There’s no easy way to say it so I’m just going to say it.” He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees to clasp his hands in front of him.
“Elora, Amon is dying.”
At first, I don’t really register what he is saying. I frown, shaking my head.
“What-no. What?” I ask, looking over at him.
He regards me silently.
“He’s dying, Elora. His powers are waning quickly-much quicker than I thought they would.”
He stands, turning to walk to the other side of the room, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
I look down at my hands.
“I’ve researched and researched, and I just don’t know any other way…” He trails off.
I look up at him, frowning. When he doesn’t say anything for a few moments I stand, slamming my palm against the table.
“Speak plainly, Allocer!”
There’s a tone of desperation in my voice, and my limbs have begun to tremble.
He lowers his head, looking at the ground before continuing.
“Elora, there is something that Amon never told you.” He turns back to me, walking up to stand next to my chair.
I listen intently, my heart hammering in my chest.
“Elora, you are Amon’s mate.”
The world stops spinning. It takes me a moment to absorb Allocer’s words.
“What?” I whisper.
Allocer sits again, reaching out to take my hands in his. Tears burn the backs of my eyes as I sink into my chair slowly.
“Amon didn’t tell you. He chose not to, but he knew it from the moment you were bonded to him by blood.” He runs the pads of his thumbs over the backs of my hands.
A hot tear streams down my cheek.
I was his mate. And he knew?
Why didn’t he say anything to me?
All the feelings, everything I felt when I was near him.
It all made sense now.
Allocer reaches up, swiping the tear on my cheek away.
“Amon is dying because he sent you away. His powers began to wane the moment you two were bonded by blood, and it intensified when he sent you home. We-I didn’t realize how quickly they would fade.”
Nausea roils in my stomach.
“If I am his mate why would he send me away? Why would he risk his own death?” The question is dry, and I finally meet Allocer’s gaze.
His white eyes search mine, and he leans back, pushing a hand through his hair.
“I wasn’t sure until I showed up the day he sent you away, but by Amon sealing your mate bond, it sets into motion a series of events.”
I frown, listening intently as he continues.
“It’s said that by the three of us-the three meaning the Grand Marquis-finding our mates, we would set into motion the downfall of the hierarchy.”
I frown, not understanding what he is trying to tell me.
Leaning forward again he reaches out to place a hand on my knee.
“Elora, humanity could have a second chance. A true second chance.”
Realization begins to dawn.
“You mean… we could leave our walls?”
Allocer nods, squeezing my knee before sitting back again.
“Yes, humanity would be free to repopulate the Earth.”
I swallow thickly.
“So, I have to convince Amon to somehow complete our mate bond, and then… what? What happens after that?” I pause, looking down at my hands again. “What if I don’t do it? What if I choose not to go?”
“Then Amon will die. Eventually he will cease to exist, and the prophecy goes unfulfilled. Humanity will forever be bound by their walls and their bargains.”
He leans back in the chair, regarding me.
“That is, until Lucifer gets bored and decides to decimate the remaining human population.”
I finally sigh, covering my face with my hands.
“Oh, Allocer…”
I sob into my hands, both from sorrow and relief.
Amon didn’t send me away for anything other than love.
Love.
He loves me.
The realization sends warmth blooming within me.
It wasn’t just a biological need. I could feel it in the way he touched me, kissed me, needed me.
If I chose to return and seal our mate bond, it starts another apocalypse.
If I stay, humanity never becomes more than it is.
The literal fate of humanity lies in my hands, and all I can think about is Amon.
He was dying, and if I didn’t go to him, I would never forgive myself.
He didn’t want to force me, but it never would have been forced.
Now I would have to convince him.
That wasn’t going to be easy.
I refused to let him die.
With my mind made up, I wipe my eyes, sniffling as I look over at Allocer.
“What are we waiting for?”