AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Talan’s pallor had turned even more ghostly, the poison from Krexar’s blade sapping his strength.
I held him close, hoping to transfer some warmth and strength into him.
His weight against me was both reassuring and terrifying — a reminder that he was still here with me, yet slipping away.
Talan’s head rested on my lap, his breathing shallow and ragged.
I brushed the hair from his forehead, the cool sheen of sweat under my fingers making my heart race. “We just need to wait a little longer,” I whispered, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “It will move on eventually.”
But the monster’s stomping seemed to last forever, and the dread settled deeper within me.
Talan’s grip on my hand was weakening.
Time was running out.
I couldfeelit.
Finally, the tremors slowly decreased in intensity.
We held our breath, trying to catch any sign that it was indeed moving away.
And then, the forest grew still, the only sound being the distant hum of nocturnal creatures.
Talan managed a faint smile, lifting his head to gaze at me. “It’s gone,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
I nodded, helping him sit up, although it took all the strength he had left. “We should find a safer place, just in case it returns,” I suggested, looking around for potential hideouts.
But as I tried to lift Talan to his feet, it became evident he couldn’t walk.
His legs buckled, and I barely managed to catch him before he collapsed.
“I… I don’t know how much longer I can hold on,” Talan murmured, breaking the silence.
His hand sought mine, fingers intertwining in a gesture of unity and strength.
“You’ve been strong for us, for me,” I replied, tears stinging my eyes. “But you don’t have to carry this burden alone. We’re in this together.”
He smiled weakly, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I never thought I’d find someone like you in a place like this.”
“I feel the same way,” I admitted, leaning closer to him. Our faces were inches apart, the warmth of his breath mingling with mine. “Every moment with you has been a gift, no matter the circumstances.”
There was a vulnerability in his gaze, an open invitation, a plea for connection.
And in that moment, I knew what I had to do.
I couldn’t reset again — not with the chance the Malquarans might give us yet another adversary.
They cheated, changing the rules once, so why wouldn’t they do it again?
There was just one option.
Gently, I leaned down, pressing my lips against his.
It was a soft, lingering kiss, filled with promise and hope.
A kiss that spoke of future possibilities and the memories we’d created together.
As we pulled apart, our eyes locked, the depth of our feelings for each other evident.
