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“Actually…” I rise on wobbling legs and open a dresser drawer, then hand the diary to Marrok. It belongs to him, after all. “Shock gave it to me before the tunnel went dark.”
Bram scowls. “He put it in your hands?”
“Yes.”
“On purpose?
I nod. “He literally said, ‘Here, hold this,’ before he shoved it in my hands.”
Every magical warrior’s jaw drops.
Marrok’s hands dwarf the red volume. How awful that such a small, innocuous object caused one man so much agony.
He yanks the book open, thumbing through blank page after blank page, until he stops suddenly, his attention riveted on yet another blank page.
What’s he staring at?
“Do you see something?” Bram asks.
“’Tis…a miracle. On the very page Morgana once cursed me, new words lie here.”
I blink. “Seriously?”
“What does it say?” Bram demands. “Out with it!”
“For loving me not, I cursed you, your life, and your cruel black heart to live alone forever, unsatisfied, despondent, and apart. Only true love for another, given freely, could uncurse you. Your heart fully shared until you and your beloved became one, not two. Now you truly love, as my diary can see. Your sacrifice and caring have been noted. As such, I release thee.”
The silence around the room is deafening. Surprise ties my tongue. The thud-thud-thud of my pounding heart fills my head…along with one inescapable thought.
Marrok really loves me. No one ever has. Until now. Until him.
It’s a revelation. It’s a miracle. It fills me with joy like nothing ever has.
“That fits. Only something you did could end your curse,” Bram explains. “Your sacrifice—saving Olivia instead of the only means of ending your hex—cut short your immortality.”
“Aye. I threw the book at Mathias so she might escape, and a wave overcame me. A cold sweat and dizziness I chalked up to nerves. But I realize now ’twas the moment I began feeling human.”
That’s fantastic, but reality is setting in. Even if he relinquished the diary for me, after fifteen centuries I doubt he wants to hang around for another thousand just to be with me. He must be tired, and I don’t blame him for wanting rest. His life is his choice, and I can’t beg him to stay. It’s hardly his fault that when I think about living out my magical life—or any life—without him, it’s a stab to the heart.
“Now you can die,” I manage to choke out. “I’m happy for you, Marrok. You can finally end this life and…and—” I swallow a sob, but I can’t say more. I just can’t.
I want to touch him, love him, beg him to live, but I won’t cling, no matter how badly I want to. If dying will finally make him happy, I won’t stand in his way.
Of course his death will break our bond. But I’m stronger now; his love has made me that way. I’ll survive, thrive even.
For him.
“Rest in peace?” Bram finishes for me.
“That.” Anguish tears me apart. I can’t look at Marrok, so I focus on my last unhappy duty. “I saw Anka, Caden. With Mathias.” I bite my lip. “He captured her and kept her naked. He…forced her to respond. She was protesting on the inside.” It was horrible to watch, and after witnessing the anguish on Lucan’s brother’s face, I don’t tell him.
“Dear god,” Ice mutters, looking pale and grim. “She endured Terriforz.”
“That will fucking kill my brother,” Caden breathes.
“If he survives the mate mourning.” Bram sighs. “Now that Mathias is weakened, we need to direct our attention to protecting the diary and rescuing Anka from his clutches.”
“She’s gone. Mathias waved a hand, and she disappeared. I don’t know if he sent her to be used by the rest of the Anarki or…” I touch a gentle hand to Caden’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help her.”
