I cling to the dark space that nothing can survive, and I flip this mirror around inside myself to become a burst of light so blinding, so fierce, it turns the shadows to nothing. It gives them nowhere to hide and nothing to feed on.
They scream as they collapse inward, pulling me with them.
Chapter 44
Wilder
Shadows weave sothick they form a wall, keeping me out. I pound against the edges, reaching for the thread that connects me to Elorie, but she’s closed it off.
The plan was to take them out in one brutal blow that drained me down to nothing if needed. Not for her to sacrifice herself.
Swinging the sword, the blade shreds at the shadow, but by the time I take another swing, it’s already reformed. There’s no breaking through.
“What is that?” Lochlan grabs my shoulder, pulling me away. “We need to get back.”
It takes his entire strength to pull me from the shadows. Callum grabs my other arm, his teeth grinding as he does, and I know it’s only for Elorie that he cares at all.
They shove me behind a pillar as the scream reaches a nearly unbearable peak. It’s so high-pitched, so shrill, it brings us all to our knees. Until the shadows vaporize in a burst of light so strong it forces my eyes closed.
For a moment, I’m back in the prison with a blade piercing my heart. Darkness is everywhere. It’s everything.
Except her.
Elorie is light.
The violent burst fades, and I climb to my feet, shoving past Lochlan to see that the wall has disappeared, and the tear in the city has healed. Elorie kneels where I last saw her, hovering over Greer. But when her hands move, there’s no more blood. Greer’s wound is sealed.
Greer blinks, sitting, while Elorie looks at her hands. Then her gaze meets mine.
Her eyes are silver stars, almost as bright as her snowy-white hair. The blue at the ends is nearly gone, only as her breathing deepens does it start to reappear.
“Wilder.” Her mouth barely moves, like she thinks she’s saying it in her head, but she’s not.
She tries to stand and almost stumbles, so I catch her, wrapping her in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, gripping my chest.
My hands dig into her sides. Part of her is still at a distance as her magic collapses back in on itself.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”I rest my forehead against hers, catching my breath, feeling her to reassure myself she’s real. Confirming she’s still here. “Gods, you should have told me. You could have died, Elorie.”
Her magic isn’t trained.
Her heart isn’t all Fae.
She could tear apart so easily. She just doesn’t realize it.
I’m holding on but losing myself. Her eyes drink me in, and I don’t care that Lochlan’s army is in shambles or this city is broken at the edges. I’ve got her in my hands.
Reaching up, I press my palm to the air beside us until it becomes the door to my room at the manor. Pushing it open, I haul her inside, and her silver eyes grow wide as she looks around.
“How did you do that?” Her eyes are still taking it all in when they meet mine again.
They’re beautiful. Like the sparkling freckles on her cheek. I brush my thumb over them and grin because she’s glowing. “There’s a lot you still have to learn, Starfire.”
I’d like to think I’ll be the one to show her, but even if she’s in my arms now, we’re running out of time.
