He rocked back and forth only half aware he was whispering those words out loud.
His one true love. His beautiful princess. His Miraêl Li’ra.
Gone.
He pulled back and traced her face with his fingers. But she couldn’t feel the way he followed the dip of her nose. Couldn’t feel the way he placed kisses upon the freckles on her cheeks. The way his lips brushed against her full lashes as he closed each eye. The way he wiped the blood from her mouth and lips and neck with his tunic, trying to clean her up.
She was too dirty. Too bloody. He had to fix it. Make her look like herself.
“I’m so sorry, love,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I failed you.”
He pressed his lips to hers with a whimper, begging to any god or goddess who could hear him.Help her.
But no one listened. No one came.
Casimir was in a fog. Numb. Detached. Unable to move. He welcomed the rain, as if it could wash away his despair. But nothing would ever rid him of his misery.
“Cas,” a gentle voice spoke behind him.
He jerked at the sound. How long had he been holding her? How long had he been sitting there?
Raine knelt beside him, his own tears wet on his cheeks. “You must let her go. She deserves a proper burial.”
“No. I—I can’t do it…I can’t…” he could barely get the words out.
Raine picked up Ava’s hand, as he wept, clutching it against his chest. “I know.” He sniffled. “I know…But you can’t just sit here forever…”
Footsteps squelched in the wet grass behind him.
“Brother…” Jareth’s voice cut through the fog.
Casimir turned to meet his gaze, startled to hear that word from his mouth.
And he looked…utterly devastated. Casimir had never seen so much emotion on his face. Grief, fear, hesitance.
“You…You can save her…” Casimir whispered. “Please.”
Emotions warred on Jareth’s face. “I can’t give up my magic. I won’t.”
Fury coursed through him. “Fuck you. She did this for you. You’re just as selfish as father,” he seethed. He turned away and pulled her to his chest again. “If you’re not going to help then leave me in peace.”
But Jareth’s hand landed on Casimir’s shoulder.
“I said, leave me be,” Casimir growled.
“Listen to me you stubborn bastard. We’re almost out of time.”
Casimir whipped his head to his brother. “What did you say?”
“I said I won’t give upmymagic. But you can give up yours…”
Casimir shook his head. “I don’t have enough. You know that. Only full-blooded astral fae can do this. Don’t fuck with me.”
But Jareth was already slicing his palm with a dagger. “You can with my help.”
“What?” Casimir paused.
Jareth handed Casimir the blade. “Stop asking questions and hurry.”
