AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He turned his head toward me, the blood trickling faster with the movement and pressure he put on the artery. I pressed a hand on his neck to stop the bleeding, and his eyes opened, but the warmth in them was gone. They were too pale, and I knew his death was imminent. If I had killed him, only the two of us would have been left, and we both know that wouldn’t have ended well. With our bond, neither one of us can kill the other. It’s impossible, so this is the only way. Only one of us can survive, and it has to be you.
My chest constricted so hard I was certain I’d never recover. He’d protected me and allowed himself to get hurt so I could win. My whole understanding tilted, and my entire perception changed.
I’d pushed him away because he’d made a promise to someone else when he’d thought I was dead. And still, he’d given up everything for me at the end. I’d honestly thought he would win, and thinking of him being with another woman after I was gone had driven me crazy. It should be you. I’m not made for this world, and they need you in it. A sob built in my chest, and I couldn’t hold it in as I lifted his hand to my lips. Kieran, I don’t know how to live without you. Not anymore. I can’t lose you. Not after we finally found our way to one another. I refuse to live without you.
His pain slowly vanished, and he smiled tenderly as he pushed all his love toward me. He whispered aloud, “You have to, or they win. Live a full life for me. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known, and there is no one better to serve on the High Council than you. This land needs someone with your heart. You cared for all fae even before you were reborn, and now you aren’t afraid to show it.”
I shook my head, my breathing catching. “Do … not … say … goodbye.” I couldn’t handle this. I searched the area for something to save him. He couldn’t leave me … not like this.
I have to. His hand went limp. “And though I support my brother, Prince Nolan, taking the crown, I ask that the Winter fae people remember what you’ve done for both Winter and Summer Fae during the trials. That, no matter what, you tried to help both sides as the High Court is supposed to do. I’m honored to have fought alongside you.” More blood trickled from his mouth, and his eyes slowly closed. Those words had taken the last bit of strength he’d had; I could feel it through our bond.
A lump formed in my throat, and my mouth dried. I was losing him.
Mo fhlùr, I’d die all over again for you because there’s nothing more precious in this world. I love…
I could feel the moment his heart stopped beating.
Chapter Thirty-Two
My chest constricted as my heart imploded. All this time, I’d believed I understood loss, but nothing could have prepared me for this moment.
I clutched Kieran’s hand, rocking back and forth as the strange, crisp sensation buzzed through me.
My fated mate. Dead. Right in front of me.
He couldn’t be gone. His time wasn’t up, and the High Court had caused all this suffering. For what? To prove someone could stand after having everything stripped from them?
That crisp sensation kept flowing through my hands, but the pain gripping my heart overshadowed everything.
“Princess Alina of the Summer Court is our champion,” Quinley declared deadpan, her voice echoing in my ears. “Princess, please stand and acknowledge your people.” The glamour spell fell away, and I expected the crowd to cheer.
Silence. Everyone was standing, and some had raised their hands as if they were ready to cheer, but instead, they were glancing around, trying to figure out what was happening. Most of the faces in the crowd were tense, and a few had placed their hands over their hearts.
If they thought I would continue this charade, plaster on a fake smile, and pretend I was ecstatic that I’d “won,” they would learn otherwise.
I stayed kneeling by my fated mate, tears streaming down my face and onto his arm. I couldn’t let go of his hand. If I did, it might be the last time I ever touched him.
Worse, the buzzing of our connection drifted away. I kept my hand firmly over the wound on his neck because if I moved it, I was giving up.
And I wouldn’t do that.
I would respect Kieran’s wish for me to continue living because I loved him that much, and he was right. The High Court would win, but I planned on changing things come summer or winter.
I barely noticed as the weird magic increased, flooding my body. I could only guess it was breaking apart our fated-mate bond. My body grew heavy, but I realized I had to address the crowd. I refused to let Kieran’s death be just another one in the books of competitors who’d died in the Comortas.
I lifted my chin and spoke. “I will not stand as if I’ve won something,” I spat. There was no joy in what happened, and losing Kieran was the worst agony this kingdom should ever know. “Nineteen people died for the High Court’s merriment and yours. Yes, the High Court might be forged in blood, but that was because of war, not some stupid game that was concocted to justify people killing one another. Where I lived on Earth, people vote to choose their leaders. The system’s not perfect by any means, but it’s far more effective than this travesty where being ruthless and self-centered is valued more than taking care of one another and having an open heart.”
I couldn’t prevent the disdain from leaking into my voice, not that I wanted to. “You killed one of the best men this kingdom had—and so many other amazing people.” I took the time to list each person one by one, even Curry. “None of us deserved this.” Including that arrogant ass who’d thought he was better than all of us.
“Princess Alina,” Quinley snapped. “Just because you’re the winner doesn’t mean you can’t be punished.”
“I kneel with Princess Alina.”
Shocked, I looked at the stands. A woman had fallen to her knees, head bowed, and a space had cleared around her. She began to chant, and every time she repeated the phrase, others joined her.
The stadium became a roar once more, including a trickle of boos, indicating not everyone was behind me. But the majority were shouts of support as it seemed most of the common fae agreed with me.
My fingers tingled as if they were falling asleep, but there was no damn way I was ready to let go of Kieran’s hand. I’d never be ready, and I didn’t know what that meant for my future, but one thing was clear—I was done being a puppet for anyone here.
