The song had taken too much energy, too much life force. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to tell him I loved him as we dropped, the cold hurling around us, but there was no time, nothing left to say as we sank into the void.
31
Uriah
Iheld her tightly in my arms as we fell, like a disgraced star shooting from the heavens to plunge to the earth. It had worked. The breath almost left my body with the knowledge. My silence had brought forth the monsters, creatures of the night who rose to do my bidding, striking down High Tower Castle when I called them with my song. Aria had done her part too, singing with her soul, the outpouring so intense I hoped it hadn't killed her. I detected the faint pulse, the steady beat of her heart even though she'd lost consciousness. It was no surprise, that outpouring of energy, of magic was only meant for immortals, meant to destroy. While it had done the work, I hoped her mind was still secure, that she would not descend into madness like Lucia had. I still marveled on the outcome. Instead of singing from a place of pain, I'd thought of her, and only her as I let the song bloom out of my heart. I'd been wrong after all. The key to powerful magic wasn't pain, but love.
The lake rose before us, and a maelstrom whipped up. The last wild tides, surging at last, come to gloat at the destruction of High Tower and steal the residual magic that clung to that place. It was only then I realized I still carried the rope, the end bitten off by the monster. It was a futile, fragile hope, but I tossed it. The rope caught on a nearby tree branch I swung ashore in the seconds before the rope ripped free. Rubble and dust rose behind me, the ruins of High Tower Castle. The thick mist that haunted the town was sucked down into the waves along with the demented shadow creatures, taking the last of mischief and magic and darkness with it.
A brisk wind blew as I stood on the shore, holding her. The moon glowed and stars lit the night sky. Tears pebbled on my cheeks as I sank to my knees, a song of gratitude rising on my frozen lips. The first starry sky I'd seen in fifty years, when the spell cast us down. The townspeople had called Zorik and I the gods with golden eyes, but we were no gods, only sorcerers who'd played a dangerous game. Now the spell that held us captive, that bound us to High Tower was broken, all because of the music of the night.
With a pang, my gaze went to Aria who lay in my arms, still as death. Pressing my lips to her forehead, I rocked her back and forth. A bright glimmer encased her body, as though her soul would take flight. All of this, only for her to die? My magic pertained to music only, not healing. Even so, I racked my brain, searching for answers. Tears blurred my vision as her heart beat grew fainter, this time the roar of the waves matched the cry of my heart.
32
Aria
Warm… I was suddenly so warm. When I opened my eyes, a golden haze greeted me. I sat up with a gasp, pushed back the blankets and stared, lifting my arms like a sun goddess worshipping the light. Sunlight. There was sunlight! It warmed my skin, creating a cozy glow. So brilliant and beautiful. The gloom and darkness of High Tower had faded along with the wretched night of golden eyed monsters, shadow creatures, music and magic. Was I dead?
I glanced around, unable to comprehend what had happened. My beautiful white gown had been replaced with a simple golden robe. The sleeves fell back, revealing my skin to the sunlight, and the ruby necklace still glimmered around my neck. Instead of a dark glimmer inside, it was nothing more than a normal stone. Beautiful, yes, but nothing unearthly or magical about it. Frowning, I bit my lip.
I lay on a bed of fur blankets and satin pillows. I was outside, on a balcony where a light breeze blew. A golden castle surrounded me on one side, but when I looked out, blue sky and sunlight met my eyes. I strained to see more, glimpsing brown brambles and bushes. I was warm, but wasn’t it winter? What had happened to High Tower and Uriah?
Rose vines twisted and bloomed around the balcony. Bright red, soft pink and gentle lavender. I swung my feet over the bed, intending to explore, when a lean shadow appeared in the doorway and out walked Uriah. The sight of him took my breath away. He wore loose trousers and a white shirt, his hair was rumpled and his eye, that golden eye, was covered in a mask yet again.
His eyes relaxed in relief, and he gave me a cautious smile. “I am glad to see you awake.”
He strode toward me, pausing by a small table I’d overlooked to fill a cup with liquid. He passed it to me as he sat on the bed. “Drink, this will help you recuperate.”
I took a sip. A sweet, warm liquid coated my throat, making me realize how thirsty I’d been. As I drank, I eyed Uriah, unwilling to break the spell. There was warmth, sunshine, and he was here with me. What more could I ask for?
He ran his fingers through his hair as he studied me, the movement showing just how relaxed he was with almost a hint of shyness. “I suppose I owe you an explanation.”
“You promised to explain if we survived. Did we survive? Or are we dead and this is the afterlife?”
His smile was crooked, showing me a swift glimmer of white teeth. Taking the cup from me, he returned it to the table, his movements graceful in a way that made my heart ache. I wanted him, just as badly, if not more, as if I’d never let him take me as his own.
“No.” He sat on the bed beside me and took my hand. “We are not in the afterlife, although sometimes I imagine it will be like this. This calm. This peace.” He touched a hand to his heart, his expression earnest. “None of this would have happened without you. Just as you promised, it was you who saved me.”
He kissed my hand, the featherlight touch of his lips sending a tingling sensation through me. I wanted more, and yet I needed to hear his tale. Reclining on the pillows, but still holding his hand, I looked up into his face. “What happened to everyone?”
“They are safe here. At least those who were human. You can see them later, if you wish. Some remained in the town, others fled, but some came here, with us. We are in my lands now, my castle I suppose.”
My eyebrows arched. His lands? His castle? My voice dropped. “Tell me, what happened back there? I can hardly believe it’s sunny and warm. It’s almost as if a spell of sadness was cast over High Tower, and now it is broken.”
His eye burned bright as he stared at me, the words slow from his lips. “Almost. It was sorcery.”
My eyes darted around the balcony again. “Sorcery?”
“Yes, like the light. It is still winter, but light magic keeps you warm now. I wasn’t sure if you’d come back, and sunlight is the best way to heal a soul.”
Tears pricked my eyes, and I glanced away, wanting to know and yet, enjoying the moment before the truth spilled from his lips. Sorcery. “I do feel better, peaceful, like you said. Uriah, I have one question, before you tell your tale. Who was Lucia?”
His face changed, a sort of sadness, sorrow seeping in. “She is part of the story. I will tell you in full, and then all will become clear.”
“Before you go on,” I interrupted, because I had to tell him. The words burned inside me, begging to be let out. “I want you to know I was afraid, but I never doubted your love was real. I wanted to trust you, but I was frightened.”
“There is nothing to forgive. I did not make it easy for you because I was frightened too, that you’d meet such an end as Lucia had.”
