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Erol slammed a block between us, throwing up a wall so that I couldn’t find him through our bond. He didn’t want me to reach him; he’d shut me out.
“Oh!” I cried, the block causing my physical pain.
“What is it?” Mom asked, worried.
“He shut off the bond,” I whimpered. Tears rolled over my cheeks freely, and I doubled over as the pain and heartbreak got the better of me.
My mom tried to stroke my back, to be there for me, but there was nothing she could do. It was all over.
“We’re not done here,” Zita hissed.
I looked up at her, my cheeks wet with tears. I hiccupped. “What do you mean?”
“We didn’t come here just to turn away and give up. We’re going to figure this out, one way or another.”
I shook my head. “You were so against it.”
“Yeah, I was. I figured he was a monster because of what he’d done to you and Vanya, and what I feel for you mother…” Zita took Mom’s hand. “I’m biased and protective.”
Mom squeezed Zita’s hand, and it was beautiful to see the two women so connected and so in love. They were on the same page. It only made me feel the pain of losing Erol all over again.
“We came here for a reason,” Zita continued. “And we’re not stopping until we know how we can win. What I saw today…that man is not in control. He didn’t choose this life, and he would never hurt you. It was something else that hurt you, and we’re going to fight it.”
I blinked at Zita. “He told me it’s what he wants.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s saying,” Mom offered.
“He doesn’t,” Zita agreed. “I’m convinced of it now. What you feel for him, and the bond you share…that wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t fated. You can’t be fated too pure evil if you’re Fae.”
“The darkness is so powerful within him,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Zita said. “That’s why I think you should send for help. I think we should reach out to Nylah and ask her to come.”
I gasped and wanted to protest, but Mom spoke before I could say anything.
“She’s right. I think it’s a good idea.”
Agatha came to me.
“My brother is good. I know it doesn’t always seem like it, but that you’re not giving up on him… You don’t know how much it means.”
I looked at her and then at Marilla. In both their faces, I saw so much pain. They’d lost Erol a long time ago, and they’d lived with this knowledge that darkness consumed him, and he was trapped inside it.
The determination, the spark of hope I’d felt before, returned. Erol needed help, and we would give it to him. One way or another.
I didn’t know what it would mean for our bond and our relationship. If, after it all, he decided he still didn’t want to be with me, it would hurt like hell, but it didn’t matter.
I hadn’t forged the bond with him because I wanted him to change his mind or drag him to the light. I’d forged a bond with him because he was my fated mate, he was my person, and I loved him.
Even if we didn’t end up together, that would never change. I loved him, and he deserved to be free.
26
EROL
After I blocked our bond, Hazel didn’t sleep in my bed again. The farther she stayed away from me, the better. If my outburst in the living room that day was anything to go by, just being close to me was dangerous. I didn’t want her to get hurt, I didn’t want her tied up in this mess.
Most of all, I wanted Cyrene to stay as far away from Hazel as possible. I may have lost her, but at least it meant Cyrene had lost her, too. I didn’t trust that I was strong enough to keep the Dark Goddess at bay anymore.
