This way, Aro grumbled, taking off through the woods.
Raine appeared at his side, lifting Casimir from the ground with Thorne.
“Hurry,” Casimir urged, his arms around their shoulders as they practically dragged him after Aro.
Everything hurt. He couldn’t breathe—his lungs seeking air, his heart beating against his ribs. He groaned as another stab of agony pierced his soul.
And those glimmering threads—the threads that bound Ava and him as one, the tethers that only soulbonds were blessed with—began to unravel.
“Faster,” he whispered. “I can’t…I…she’s…”
“We’re almost there,” Raine soothed. “Hang on, Cas.”
They increased their pace, rushing through the trees. Out of the corner of Casimir’s eye, he saw others following, joining when they overheard. But he didn’t care. Wanted nothing to do with them.
Ava was alone and he needed to reach her. To hold her and tell her everything was going to be alright. To figure out how to stop this because he wasn’t going to lose his soulbond.
He refused.
They reached the clearing. Raine gasped. Thorne released a sudden sob.
There she was. Peaceful. Beautiful.
Lying on the ground, encircled by hundreds of flowers—like little jewels in a sea of green. The sight took his breathaway. Luna lay atop her body, but rose when she saw Casimir, nestling next to Ava’s legs instead, refusing to leave her side.
Shoving Raine and Thorne away, he stumbled forward, his knees buckling and colliding with the ground beside her.
He pulled her limp body into his arms, brushing the hair out of her face as her head lolled. Blood stained the corners of her lips, her face pale, forehead clammy.
Short raspy breaths came from her mouth, her chest barely rising and falling.
“Ava…” he said, voice breaking. “Can you hear me, love?” He adjusted her, supporting her head. “I’m here, dear one. I’m here.”
He sensed Thorne and Raine behind him. Could hear their sobs. Could feel their grief like a dismal blanket, smothering the life from the air. The rest of the onlookers hovered. There were cries and wails. Whispers about the princess who defeated the ancient god…and saved them.
Who sacrificed herself for their world.
Trying again, Casimir whispered her name. “Ava.”
Her eyes fluttered open, their usual bright green now dull and faded. “Hi,” she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “I…I did it.”
Tears slipped down his cheeks. “Yes, you did. You were so brave, princess. So incredibly brave.” He leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead. “Let’s get you to the healers.”
Ava winced. “It’s too late.”
She’s right,Aro said.She only has a couple minutes.
Misery grabbed a hold of his heart and squeezed at Aro’s words. Casimir shook his head, refusing to accept it. “No…I had plans…” he whispered. “You must hold on, love.”
“Cas…”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Do you remember that day in the woods? When…when those daemon hounds attacked us?”
She gave him the slightest nod, her own tears streaking through the dirt on her face.
“I never told you this…but when you disappeared…I heard you scream. And I—” his voice cracked. “I was coming after you. Aro got there first, but I was coming…”
Ava let out a sob, blood bubbling out of the side of her mouth. Casimir wiped it away.
