“You can let me go,” I told Fyn. He struggled to hold me, to bear my weight at all. He fell to his knees, clutching me still.
“No. I won’t leave you.” Fyn’s sharp exhale crashed into me. “Lioran!” Fyn screamed.
Lioran turned to look, but it was too late.
The Grove’s roar stopped.
He bellowed my name—it thundered through the Grove. His magic fizzled, but mine strengthened. The Grove released him from the tree, without question, but it tightened its hold on me.
Lioran ran to me. Cora darted behind him.
Aelira—you promised. The bargain was made.
A melody whispered through the trees. It danced on the wind—it called to me.
“I came to restore Lythira and Bailoc. Take my magic if you must,” I whispered in reply.
It would be the end, but at least I made a choice.
“Aelira…no! Stay with me.” Lioran slid in the dirt beside me. He lifted me from Fyn’s arms.
Each pulse of my magic slammed harder through my veins. I wept as I looked up at my love, knowing I couldn’t keep him.
The Grove claimed me.
Lioran gripped me tighter.
Pain hammered every muscle—I trembled, too weak tomove. My body convulsed. I needed it to stop—needed to break free.
“Take me instead! I’ll give my life for hers!” Lioran roared.
Nothing responded.
My eyelids slipped closed. Each breath became slower than the last. Deep within me peace settled, grounding me through the lingering pain as it simmered.
“Please don’t leave me.” His words were a distant hum. “You can’t leave me.”
Darkness had taken hold, the light had vanished.
Then I saw it—the Grove glimmering with brilliance, its verdant display fresh and new. Fae traveled down the paths just as we had. They hummed and laughed as if nothing had happened at all. A flash of white light cascaded over everything and then everything turned red.
King Ardyn darted through the border, commanding his army to take down every fae. Blood spilled. Screams echoed. No mercy was granted. Amber flames engulfed the trees. I smelled the smoke, my skin seared with the heat of the fire. Death washed over the land.
My mother screamed as Ardyn tore her from a fae’s arms—I saw his features how they matched mine. How he fought to the end to defend her.
The stars had no mercy. I pleaded with them to make it all stop. I didn’t want to see the rest.
You feel the pain that was felt.
So you may learn the truth.
Only then will you rise.
“Stay here—with me, beside me. Don’t let go.” I heard eachpainful word Lioran spoke as he gripped my hands in his. I wanted to tell him I was still here, but my voice wouldn’t respond. I couldn’t call out to him at all—I couldn’t even squeeze his hand.
Remnants of my magic seeped from my veins. Deep within me something desperate pulsed. It felt whole.
My pain ceased.
