31. Maxim
Chapter Thirty-One
Maxim
Fuck, why did I tell her my fears?
I berate myself as my feet pound the rocky ground, carrying me toward the mountain range.
I’ve kept the truth from my sister, my cousin, and most certainly my aunt.
I hadn’t even acknowledged it to myself.
My fire is destroying me.
Even when it heals my broken bones, my flames are eating away at me. A contradiction of magic within me.
Thyra pulled that truth from me. All she had to do was ask me who I am. All she had to do was fill my head with the scent of flowers I could never hope to hold.
All she had to do was fucking look at me with those endlessly perceptive eyes, her body swaying to the beat of her walk, her silver armor floating at her back, tightening around her curves, clinging to her breasts and hips. All while her voice demanded that I answer her truthfully.
Fucking mesmerizing.
The burn across my right palm where I held the tainted blood flares hotter the farther away from Thyra I go.
A burn that seems to swallow my fire but can’t dampen the sounds of battle echoing in the distance.
My aunt was clever staying behind, ensuring I wouldn’t be able to leave.
Ensuring I’d lead Thyra to Aeliana Vividari.
But why?
Aeliana hasn’t stirred. At least, not according to Kaiba, who was watching over her until this morning when I needed him at the border.
What was so important that my Mothers risked their lives attempting to cross into the darkness while the border is under attack?
What could my aunt want Thyra to see?