Page 182 of Tale of the Heart Queen

I’m so focused on Zerra that I almost don’t notice Tyr clutching his chest, his body also curling inwards. “I can’t . . .” he croaks out as his magic stutters and flashes.

“Tyr!” I shout. “Everyone get out! Hylene! Go!”

They begin to make their way towards the door as I run to Tyr, catching him as he stumbles. “Don’t let go! You can’t let go!”

Some instinct tells me that if Tyr releases his magic, Zerra will have the ability to hurt him. He shakes as I cling to him, trying to offer whatever inadequate strength I can. “Tyr! Hang on! You must hang on!”

But he isn’t strong enough. He groans, the sound tearing out of him with a roar, as his magic flickers one last time, and then he falls against me and collapses.

Zerra’s form solidifies, a grim smile twisting her face. She lifts an arm, white sparks gathering in her palm.

And then she hurls a ball of crackling silver light in our direction.

I’m clutching Tyr, waiting for the strike, when everything seems to reverse in slow motion as a beam of pure golden light spears into the center of Zerra’s chest.

She bends back and screams before the sound cuts off, and she morphs back into her previous, barely there form. Gaping, I stare at her. It takes me a moment to realize it’s Erevan, his jaw set as he holds out his hand, funneling magic into the ark, his light brighter and so much more vibrant than Tyr’s.

He moves closer, the ark glowing brighter and brighter as Zerra continues her silent scream. More and more cracks form on her skin while she claws at her face and chest and arms. Her hair rises from her head, fanning out as static streaks of lightning surround her in a flashing, throbbing column.

The ark explodes in a blinding flash, splinters arrowing through the air.

Again, I brace myself for the impact, but Erevan spins up his magic and encases us in a protective shield of golden light. I see the pieces crash against it in bright flashes before they fall to the floor.

A moment later, he releases it, leaving the three of us alone in the silent throne room.

We stare at each other.

Childhood friends. Boys drawn together by chance. Boys whose positions and responsibilities pulled them apart before fate forced them back together again.

A king. A prince. A slave. And a revolutionary.

A broken crown.

A traitor.

A free man.

And Erevan. The future of Aphelion.

He watches us with a wary look before he stares at his hands as if unable to believe what he’s just done.

“You fucking asshole,” I half growl, half choke out.

That breaks the tension in the room and then we both start laughing.

Erevan falls to his knees, throwing his arms around me and Tyr as the sky booms with the promise of another storm. We all look up to witness streaks of silver lightning flashing overhead, and a scream echoes in the distance.

We did it. Whatever Lor and Nadir are up to, they’re on their own now, but at least we helped with this. I say a silent prayer that they survive, and I see them again.

Erevan looks at me, and we both smile.

Finally, we can move forward.

Only three of us are left, and I hope we survive this too.

I think we all deserve that.

That’s when the clouds roll in to the crash of thunder, and the sky opens up before the rain, once again, starts to fall.