I spun around, searching wildly for him beyond the barrier.I needed to see him one last time.I needed—
There was nothing.Only the mortal realm stretching before me like a cruel, empty reflection of the world I had just abandoned.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to the empty air.
Gripping the stone tighter, I forced myself to move.It would take days to return to the village, days I might not have.
I had to reach my mother before Zaheera did.
Even as the morning bled across the sky, streaking it in shades of soft gold and pale pink, we pushed forward.The feeling of exhaustion clung to us, each step heavier than the last.My muscles burned and my legs felt like lead, but I refused to slow down.We had to keep going.
The sun rose higher, chasing away the chill and bathing the land in an unforgiving heat.The dried leaves crunched and cracked beneath my sandals.We did not speak, each one of us trapped within our own thoughts—our own regrets and pain.
Tavrik had his head bowed, his jaw locked tight and his shoulders hunched over beneath an invisible weight.
I knew he was thinking about Jasila.
He turned his head, sensing my obvious stare, but said nothing.
Even Theo looked distant, like everything that happened had finally crashed into him.He stared only toward the infinite trees that stretched before us, his usual confident stride reduced to an unemotional shuffle.
The Jinn realm offered him what no other place could—freedom.He had always been too big, too bright for this world and yet the second I needed him to return with me, he’d followed.
The guilt was burying me alive.It was all my doing, my stupid decisions that led to this.I had dragged them in only to drag them back out.
I clenched my fists in a weak attempt to keep myself from crumbling, the stone now cold against my palm, its soft hum flowing into my flesh.
It was a strange sensation, like the stone recognised me.Like it enjoyed being with me.I traced my thumb over the smooth surface before holding it up against the harsh sunlight.The black swirls moved calmy beneath the surface.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m sorry.”I croaked, only now realising how dry my throat was.I massaged my neck, trying to soothe the harshness.
They just kept walking.I released a shaky breath, my eyes watering from the strain.I rubbed the back of my palm over them, no doubt smearing the kohl into dark streaks across my cheek.
“This is all my fault,” I said, louder this time.
Theo stopped abruptly.I almost crashed into him, my feet skidding in the dirt.
“Don’t say that.”He spun around, fixing me with an intense stare that rooted me in place.
“None of this is your fault, El.You didn’t choose this.It was forced on you.”He placed his hands on my arms.“Until you put that stone in my hand and told me to bear its weight, I didn’t understand.I got so lost in the freedom of their world, I never stopped to think about what it must’ve felt like for you.”
My lips trembled.His words should’ve eased at least some of the guilt, but they didn’t.The threat of tears stung behind my eyes, but before they could fall free, Theo pulled me into a fierce embrace, his chin pressing into the crown of my head.
I didn’t deserve his kindness, but I had no battle left in me.I accepted his words—his embrace and let myself lean into him.
We stood locked together, his heart beating against my ear.His chest expanded with a deep breath that ruffled my hair.“Heavens, you stink.”
I shoved him, and he staggered back.
“Asshole.”I smiled, wiping the stray tears from my eyes.He grinned back, reaching out to mess up my sweat-dampened hair with rough affection.
Tavrik stepped closer, chuckling.His solid and reassuring hand landed heavy on my shoulder.
“Everything will be alright.”
His expression softened, the light returning to his hazel eyes.
