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“Nevertheless, we’ll be staying with you,” Bianca shouted, stomping her foot. Terra was too angry to say anything, instead her chest heaving with the desire to throttle this dear, sweet, stupid man. Did he honestly think they were just going to leave him behind? Even after what they’d shared the night before, Rian still didn’t believe that others could show up for him. He really didn’t trust anyone, did he?
“But… I kept you captive. Against your will. Stole the amulet.” Rian jabbed his finger in the air, a pink flush coming to his cheeks.
“Hardly a prison sentence boyo. I’ve been wanting a lovely vacation with my sweet. A cottage on an isolated island? It’s been perfect, really.” Seamus winked at Bianca, and she simpered up at him before she remembered they were supposed to be acting angry and terrified.
“How dare you give me time away with my hot husband?” Bianca screeched, and Terra found herself desperately torn between laughter and tears.
“You can’t stay,” Rian argued. “Youhaveto go. And now. Your lives are in danger.”
This was exactly why Terra had claimed Rian. A strange calmness slipped through her. She’d known he wouldn’t believe himself worthy enough of her love, so she had to make the first move and show up for him. Now, as he prepared to sacrifice himself for their safety, Terra fell even more in love with him. Her heart swelled, and, for a moment, she closed her eyes and let the love fill her.
“No,” Terra said, her voice soft but firm.
“Don’t be stupid, Terra. You’ll die!” Rian turned on her, the fury on his face real. Terra ignored him, instead crouching to unlace her boots so her feet could be bare against the ground. If they were going to battle, she needed to draw from the natural energy of the Earth for extra strength in her magick.
“I might. But still … you don’t fight alone.” Terra walked forward until she stood close enough to Rian to see the pain in his eyes.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’ll send you out of here myself if I have to,” Rian warned though a hint of desperation entered his voice. It was that thread of uncertainty that Terra held onto.
“You don’t get to sacrifice yourself on some false notion that you’re not good enough for me. For us.” Terra turned and pointed at the group behind her who all nodded empathetically.
“She’s got the right of it,” Callahan added.
“This is…” Rian raked a hand through his hair and glanced over his shoulder to where Domnu approached. “Asinine. I won’t argue this with you. Leave. Now.”
When Terra just shook her head at him, her heart breaking for the internal battle he waged, Rian swore and turned to leave.
“I can’t,” Terra said, her voice barely a whisper.
“What do you mean you can’t?” Rian shouted, fury crackling around his body like he’d been hit with lightning. “The wards are gone. You are just as strong in magicks as I am.Go.”
“I can’t,” Terra repeated, stepping forward until she placed her hand on his chest. Rian looked down at her hand like it was a snake that had just bitten him. “I can’t, because I’ve claimed you.”
“You … wait … you can’t…” Rian stuttered, his face blanching white. He grabbed her hand and threw it away from his body.
“I’ve claimedyou. My fated mate. My love. And if you don’t choose to forgive our people, and yourself, then I will die.” Terra said it simply, and waited, content with the choices she’d made.
“Are you crazy? You can’t just … no, you can’t.Terra.” Her name was a plea at his lips, and still she stood, pulling at the energy of the Earth, feeling its calm magick soothe her. Patience in all things. There is a season for everything, Terra reminded herself. Rian’s seeds had been planted long ago. The question was—would he let himself grow?
A roar sounded behind them, and Terra looked up to see that the Goddess Domnu had unleashed her army. The ground shook as they tore across the meadow toward them.
“A bit overkill, isn’t it?” Bianca asked.
“She’s always been one for the dramatics, hasn’t she?” Seamus agreed, a cheerful note in his voice.
“Please go. Leave me. I’m not meant for your world anymore. Save yourselves. I’ll handle the rest of this,” Rian begged.
“That’s not what friends do, Rian,” Callahan squeezed his shoulder and turned to meet the attack.
“Terra,” Rian begged, grabbing her shoulders. “You can take them with you. You have the power to save them. It’s irresponsible you’re being. Your lives matter more than mine. This is madness.”
“I’m sorry, my love. You’re going to have to get used to people showing up for you too.” With that, Terra moved around him and stepped into the fray.
21
How couldshe do this to him?
This was Rian’s first thought as Terra strolled into battle, as though her life meant nothing. To him. To her people. To the Earth.
