eyes.
“I got you—I have you my love—my Annwyl.”
Lifting her up into my arms, I pulled her close to my body. Her blood stained my hand and clothes. All the while the portal
crackled. I looked in horror at the shadowed shapes behind it. They were coming. It was only a matter of seconds before the
first deadly creature would cross through the gateway and into our world.
“NO!!”
Panya shouted as she flung her dagger through the air. It hit me in the centre of my chest. Morgana screamed as I fell to my
knees, clutching tightly to Ornella. If one of us died, the other would soon after, it was how the deal and vows worked. I
expected it. If Ornella wasn’t saved in time, we would both perish. It was okay, I was glad it would be like that. I wouldn't
want to stay in a world that didn't have her in it. But I refused to leave this world in this much peril.
The male mage finally unfroze from his spot and moved faster than lightning as he shot up the steps towards his sister,
wrapping her in his own magic.
My eyes were growing fussy. I shook my head, desperately trying to focus. A larger male stood in front of me, begging me
to give him Ornella. I recognised him as her guard from the city square when she fainted.
“WE MUST CLOSE THE PORTAL, NICHOLAS!” April shouted from somewhere nearby.
Her attention turned back towards the portal holding up one hand, the other holding onto Vanessa’s who did the same.
Pointing their hands towards the portal, Morgana rushed to take Vanessa’s other hand as they pooled their magic together.
The three of them could do anything when they connected their bond. Something lived deep inside them, a knot of some sort that
tied them together. Mother would often say they were either the blessings of this world or its destruction, and right now, I
hoped for blessings.
“NICHOLAS, WE NEED YOU!!”
Looking up at the portal, the male mage held tightly onto the female, locking her with his magic as she kicked and screamed,
shouting to be let go.
Her dagger was still firmly in my chest. I knew pulling it out would cause more damage, and right now, I was running on
pure rage and adrenaline. I couldn’t die, not yet. I had a job to do.
I was the Obsidian King.
The Shadow King.
And I would not let my people die.
Cracking my neck to ease the tension, I looked back at Ornella and her guard held out his arms to take her. He would
protect her. Nodding as best as I could, he quickly took her from me and rushed down the steps. Genu and some of her riders
