“Can we go home?”
“Home?” His voice cracked.
“Yes, to Lythira—can you take me home before I go to the Grove? Before you marry? I want one last night with you away from here.”
“I can’t endure you talking like this.”
“I need to be home with you for however long we can be together. Even if it’s only one more night.” I lay my head on his chest again.
His chest rose and fell.
“I would love nothing more than to go home with you.” Hepulled me into him, holding me against him. “I will see if I can arrange it. Someone needs to escort you back.”
After what they did to him in throne room, I knew they would never let him leave.
My future wouldn’t be what I envisioned, but it would be my own. I couldn’t be claimed, controlled, or forced to live a life not of my choosing.
Time would reveal a path illuminated by the stars.
With a chilling breath, I released my expectations, allowing light to wash over me.
Chapter 30
The sun had slowly shifted in the sky and dipped down toward the horizon when Lioran slid back into the room.
He leaned in toward me, his lips lingering on my forehead. I sank into the bed, resigning myself to the journey without him.
“I will take you home,” he said.
“How?”
Lioran folded his hands together. “It doesn’t matter. We will have our time together.”
My heart stalled in my chest as I sat up. The moment the lines etched further in the creases around his brow—I knew. There was something he wasn’t telling me. “How, Lioran?”
“I promised I will marry.”
Hearing his words, I felt something shatter within me. I wept. My fingers wrapped around the posts of the bed, pressing tightly into the wood. Lioran wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“Aelira?” Cora peeked her head around the massive door.Fyn was beside her, but he looked as shaken as he had when Lioran was unconscious on his horse.
“Fyn…” I lifted my head toward them.
“What’s wrong?” Lioran asked. Cora’s fingers trembled—her whole body trembled.
She choked on her tears. “I…had…another vision.”
“What was it?” Lioran’s tone was sharp.
Cora stumbled back—Fyn’s arm embraced her. “You…”
“Tell them, Cora.” Fyn’s voice unraveled.
“It was about the Myrwood Grove. I know exactly what you must do.” Cora sobbed.
I gripped Lioran, waiting for her to finish. “The tree in the center of the Grove—you must connect with it and bind your magic to it. Once you do, you will give to it until it can restore.”
“And then my magic is gone?” My voice cracked.
