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“Her corruption took root from her actions,” Caledu said. “She cannot turn back time and erase what she’s done.”
“I am not corrupted.” I shook as I yelled. “I am not corrupted. I am not corrupted!” The pressure of my light pounded in my chest. I felt heavy.
I felt explosive.
“You are. And you are exiled,” Caledu hissed.
“The shroud doesn’t affect my light. I heal just fine. I project with ease. The mark is only a record of my misdeed, a blotch that can be eradicated with forgiveness!” At least this was what I hoped—that Kenrik was right. I believed him.
Caledu scowled. “Take her stone.”
“No!” Aneirin stepped between the guards and me, but Caledu threw out his light, which wrapped around Aneirin’s ankle. As my father whipped his arm back, Aneirin fell headfirst into the snow. He struggled to his elbows, spitting snow from his mouth and swiping his eyes. He was beaten. Caledu would never let him intervene. Aneirin’s crestfallen face told me this moment would haunt him forever.
The guards advanced, throwing a cage of light around me.
My heart broke as I regarded Aneirin one last time. The world seemed to still as I forgave him for everything that was ever wrong between us. I’d hold on to this, knowing that Aneirin and I had something beyond love—a bond that was indescribable and unsurpassable in comprehension. I mourned for one brief instant the damage I had caused when I read the imprint of his soul. But that didn’t matter anymore. We would part as friends. “Tell Cephias that Seren will return, Aneirin. I swear it.”
The will to preserve every part that was me, including my dragon, launched a starburst from my core.
Blinding light obscured the snowy ledge as the cage shattered like raining glass. Where my fury had once killed, it propelled away those who hindered me. The four standing men bowled over. I used their confusion to run to Seren.
For the second time, she flew me away from Gorlassar.
THIRTY-FIVE
I have nowhere to go. My fingers curled into talons, with the muscles so taut they ached. Furious. I was furious! Thrown out by my own father! I rubbed my eyes and dragged my hands down my face. I should have felt more rejected, but I was at the point of hysterics.
“I am desolate!” I tossed my arms up and shouted to the world. The image of how I left Kenrik flashed through me. I laughed—delirious, consuming laughter—until my eyes watered.
And humiliated. Humiliated by my father. Disowned. He had barely looked at me. I sickened him.
The irony. I obtained exactly what I was running from and more. Heartache. Disappointment. Love. Adventure.
And a beginning—once again, Seren murmured.
Oh, Seren, what should I do?
She angled her flight toward Cynwrig.
No. Go west. Or north. I’m not returning. My place is not with Kelyn or his people. I can’t go back.
Seren flew in circles. She didn’t move with haste but waited until I made up my mind.
The sea was in the west, as was Owein. He presented the same problem. Mortality. Death. Disease. Frail bodies and simple emotions. The allure of the physical.
I couldn’t help but smile over how delighted he had been with me on his arm. I was a beautiful immortal trophy.
Which is what I was to Kelyn.
He and Kenrik had compared me to a prize.
My soul shrank, grieved from the memory—from the taste of Kelyn. His sensitivity. His tender touches. His amorous groans and gratification from one kiss. How I wanted him to want me! You are alive. Live a life I shall never have, dear Kelyn, because I cannot spend it with you.
And Kenrik. My devotion couldn’t hold a candle to his devotion. His despair rivaled mine. Had he never met me, he wouldn’t have known such torment. At least he had a home—a choice of a home. If he accepted Tiwlip, they would raise Brenin together, or he could fall in love with a maiden and seclude himself in the highlands on some estate. He had options—dreams.
I didn’t have dreams. What were my options?
I tucked against Seren and closed my eyes while I searched for the lights of my friends. They were far away, to my right. I knew which lights were Kelyn’s and Kenrik’s because I had memorized their every dance, their every wink. Even their lights’ hue—Kenrik’s, a golden yellow, and Kelyn’s, a cherry pink.
