Page 286 of The Gods Order

Something slams into my stomach, forcing every ounce of air from my lungs, and my body jerks.

I blink once, unable to understand why I can’t breathe, why he won’t let go of my arm, why tears well in his eyes.

Then…

I feel it.

My gaze drops between us.

The hilt of his sword presses against my armor.

No…

My heartbeat thunders once, and the realm narrows to the impossible truth standing inches away from me.

My knees weaken, but I don’t crumble as he pulls me close. The chaos fades beneath the sound of my own pulse.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers.

The words don’t match the blade buried inside me.

“I never wanted it to end like this.”

My mouth parts, but no sound comes.

Something else drips down my chin.

“Mother made her choice. The realm we envision will never come to fruition with you in it. We’ll never convince my brothers to join us while they have you. Gods, Thayla, why couldn’t you have just listened to me?”

His grip tightens around my wrist. Regret flickers through those familiar green eyes.

“You would’ve made a wonderful ruler. This all could’ve been ours if you had just listened.”

My knees threaten to buckle again, and my swords fall from my hands when my fingers simply can’t find the strength to hold them.

He releases my wrist.

His hand cups the back of my head with heartbreaking tenderness.

“I love you, Thay.”

“M-Mellcom…”

With one smooth pull, he draws the sword free.

Agony explodes through me.

A broken gasp tears from my lungs as my body folds around the wound. My hand flies to my stomach, desperate to press away the pain.

Warmth floods between my fingers.

Too much.

When I force my eyes back up…

He’s gone.

The battle rushes back all at once. Steel clashing, creatures roaring, someone screaming. It’s all muffled.