Chapter 35
Icouldn’t survive a world without Lioran. They broke him. They broke me. I gasped, desperate for air that wouldn’t come. Stabbing pain filled my lungs. Sweat drenched my body. It vibrated uncontrollably. Muscles constricted against bone, as I screamed in agony.
A flash of someone, or something, beat across my blurry view.
“Aelira!” Lioran yelled. “She’s alive?” He crumbled beside us.
Fyn’s hands trembled around me.
“Is it done?” Tears pooled on my leather armor. “Where is Thalen?” I leaned into Fyn, desperate still to draw more air. My view was tinged with darkness. It waited for me.
“Stay with me, my love.” Lioran crashed to his knees beside us. Horror set in his gaze as he reached for me—his hand hung in the space between us. My head settled on Fyn’s chest and my eyes closed.
“Don’t take her from me! Please!” Lioran screamed into the void. The winds thrashed in response.
The world slipped from view.
Darkness came for me. I slipped into it.
The wind brushed my skin. It sang to me.
Aelira…
Make a choice.
Stay and fight, or leave this world behind.
Agony filled me. The onyx no longer warmed on my chest.
Nothing else existed.
Still, something fluttered deep within me, different from my magic. It was my only tether. I wanted to stay. To wake up from this nightmare.
My eyes opened as Fyn’s tears collided with my forehead. He clutched me firmly to his chest. “Thank the stars.” He exhaled as my eyes opened. I sobbed in his arms.
I turned my head to look for Lioran, but the world tilted around me, and I recoiled back into Fyn’s chest.
“Lioran’s here.” Fyn knew who I was searching for.
Why was he still here? Cora and Lioran crouched near me.
“Where is Thalen?”
“Thalen isn’t here,” Cora said. “It’s just us.”
“You let them break our bond,” I cried. “You let him bond you to Cora. I would have rather Pyrran killed me.”
He had no choice. Lioran would never let them harm me. I glanced around for Pyrran, but he wasn’t there, either.
“Where did they go?”
“They’re not here. Whatever you saw—it wasn’t real.
The Grove taunted me, too. I thought I held you while you died, but you’re alive.
You’re still here.” His hands shook as he reached for me, but I pushed him away with what little strength I had remaining—too afraid to feel his touch when it wasn’t mine to keep.
I didn’t know what to feel, didn’t know what to trust—what version was true and what was a lie. Sweat drenched Lioran’s brow, his curls clung to his face. As he came further into focus, I saw his bloodshot eyes.
“Is this real?” My voice cracked.
“Yes, my love. Whatever you saw—wasn’t.” Lioran placed his hand on mine—I felt it.
“You were screaming in agony. I tried to wake you, to bring you back, but I couldn’t.” Fyn choked on his words.
“Tell me something real, Fyn. Something only you and I know.” Each word I spoke grated at my throat.
Fyn held my gaze—he exhaled a ragged breath.
“You never visited Lioran because you were bored. I would peek in on you both and saw the way you held his hand, watched over him even as he slept.” He choked on his tears.
“That’s when I knew you loved him…and the way he looked back at you, I knew he loved you, too. ”
The corner of my lips tugged upward.
“Lioran and Cora…are they bonded?” My breathing slowed with each word. My muscles released, but a throbbing pain spiraled through me.
“No—You are bonded with Lioran. No one can break that—not even the king,” Fyn said.
“I’m here. I’m still yours. Please Aelira, can I hold you?” Lioran reached for me again.
My sobs echoed in the Grove as I nodded. Lioran pulled me into his arms. His heart raced, but I counted each beat and let its rhythm pull me back.
“I almost gave up.” I cried into him.
“But you didn’t—you’re here with me.” Lioran cradled me.
“I chose to stay,” I said.
“You chose?” Lioran gasped, crying, pulling me into him.
“I heard a voice. It gave me choice. I wanted to come back.” I may never know what sang to me in the darkness.
“She needs to rest,” Fyn said.
Lioran gently lifted me so I could sit upright.
The Grove’s cries surged through me, my body quaking in their wake. “It won’t let me.” My voice was only a whisper.
Lioran adjusted his grip on me. “She won’t make it through this if we keep going. There must be another way. Cora, tell me there’s another way. I won’t do this to her.”
“Lioran…I wish I could tell you there was. I wish it for both of you.” Cora’s voice trembled.
“It’s okay.” I bit my lip, blinking away tears.
“I will do what is needed, but something is wrong—I am so weak.
My body can't handle much more.” I was given a second chance, but I felt as if I was barely hanging on—the little energy I had when we entered the Grove was fleeting.
I looked up at him. “Promise me something?”
Lioran pressed his forehead into mine. “You can do this.”
“Promise me you will find my sister and protect her if this doesn’t work. The bargain only meant to claim me—it still wants to.” I shuddered feeling the lands vibrations rolling through me.
“No. I will not make promises for when you’re not here. Don’t ask me to do it.” His head dropped, and a single tear trailed his cheek. “You don’t understand what you’re giving up—why you can’t give up,” Lioran exhaled. “You fought to stay. We need you to keep doing that.”
“I will keep fighting until I can’t anymore, but if that time comes, I need to know she will be safe.”
“We will find her. Together.” He held me tighter. “I promise to keep her safe.” I relaxed in his arms. My sister would live—even if I didn’t. He would protect her, when I couldn’t.
I settled against his chest.
“I am yours,” he whispered.
“In every lifetime,” I replied.
His words cradled me just as he had. I couldn’t control my fate. But this moment was still ours—for now, I was still here.
Cora sat beside me, lifting my hand in hers. “You have to hold on—for all of us. Our world needs you—I need you.” My eyes locked on hers, a silent understanding settled between us.
I tried to sit, but my vision spun. Nausea rolled through me.
“You’re…” The lines set around Lioran’s eyes as he exhaled. “You’re not alone in this. I’m right here, beside you.”
I leaned over and vomited—a shiver traveled down my spine. Lioran tucked my hair behind my ears. Cora handed me her flask. I took it to my lips, hoping to settle my rolling stomach. Lioran lowered me onto the ground, propping me against Cora.
He leaned over to Fyn and whispered. I couldn’t hear his words, but the light vanished from Fyn’s gaze. He nodded in reply.