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"Why do you insist on doing things by yourself?” I didn’t think he’d confront me about that here and now, but then again, I guessed since I was hanging, it was a rather good moment to ask because I had no way of running from his question.
“It’s not intentional,” I admitted and watched him bob his head.
“I know it’s not,” he voiced. “But that’s the problem. It’s something you automatically do. Like it’s engrained in your very soul to immediately sacrifice yourself in place of anyone else.”
I wanted to argue with him, so I attempted to give him a scenario where I didn’t do much but he followed up with, “You protected Felix and Fynn during your trials. You also protected the voodoo fleet. You’ve protected Malifer for what seems like your entire existence, and you now protected Lauren and me as if the risk of you perishing wasn’t possible.”
“I can respawn?” I offered even though I hadn’t tested that theory yet.
“You and I both know that’s not a good enough excuse,” he voiced. His next words barely reached my ears. “You’re no longer alone, Lexianne. Your existence matters to a lot of people.”
If his words didn’t tug my heartstrings, it was the immense fear and vulnerability that washed over his eyes of pure white that made me realize he was absolutely right.
I’d become so accustomed to sacrificing myself in various situations that it was a habit I couldn’t break. I’d rather put myself in the line of danger to save anyone I valued, but I never took in the reality that I could obviously get hurt.
I wasn’t superwoman, and I could face consequences that would leave scars on those I’d protected and left behind.
“Sorry,” I didn’t hesitate to apologize. It was only fair to acknowledge how my sacrificial actions had left him protected physically but worried him dearly because I was important to him. Even if it was just a fraction of concern, it was clearly evident, which I truly appreciated.
He smiled slightly as he slowly nodded his head in approval.
“I know our next task forces you to go solo for the sake of the valley, but remember from now on that you have allies in your corner. Alright?”
“Alright,” I whispered with an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Colton.”
It wasn’t long before Lauren managed to gather the right strings to haul us over to the platform that had managed to survive the chaos I’d ignited while battling.
From the state of our surroundings, it was clear we wouldn’t be able to go back the way we had come, but if I had to acquire the crown with Malifer, it would be tricky to return to grab Colton and Lauren.
My real worry was Baker stumbling upon them instead of us.
I was hoping all the distractions and hardships I was creating in addition to the voodoo fleet and protective walls that made it rather impossible for him to use the cliff route to get access to the valley would lead to him becoming impatient and potentially frustrated.
Emotional frustration could easily make one vulnerable to getting lost in their own mistakes.
Once Colton had a helpful arm around my waist, Lauren glared daggers at me while her hands were on her hips.
“You like to test fate to see how if you’re important enough to avoid death, don’t you?”
I had to smirk at her commentary.
“Makes life livelier if you ask me,” I teased and watched her shake her head as she groaned.
“Demons,” she huffed. “You’ll give a Tainted Time Keeper grey hairs if you keep being reckless.”
“My bad,” I commented as Colton began to help me walk toward the single passage that would lead us to our next destination.
Lauren went ahead of us, clapping her hands once to create an orb of light that helped illuminate the pitch-black passage.
“I sense the energies of another lagoon up ahead,” she voiced after we’d walked for another ten minutes.
“What’s that smell?” Colton pondered.
I took a sniff myself, frowning in confusion as I glanced at Colton, who looked just as conflicted as I was. It seemed to dawn upon us at the same time, and our eyes grew wide before we cursed.
“Fire!” we exclaimed and looked to Lauren, who was already sprinting ahead.
I wanted to sprint, but my body still feel weak from the earlier confrontation, which had to be why Colton scooped me up with ease and raced after Lauren despite the shadows going back in place due to the absence of Lauren’s magical orb.
