His head tilts, the curls of his hair cascading across his shoulders as he takes his hand and wraps it around my head to pull me in for a kiss.
“What did I do to ever deserve your love?” he whispers against my lips.
“Whatever you did…” I kiss him gently, “don’t ever be foolish enough to let me go.”
“HE LET ME GO, FLORIAN,” I choke, trying to control my breathing, but it’s impossible. “He let me go.”
I clench his body tighter, pulling him into me as I beg the Gods to let me feel his heartbeat. But it never comes.
“I am no Queen without him.” I glance towards Florian, catching sight of the tears that fall off of his chin. His hands rub against his head as he shakes. “Florian, I can’t do this without him!”
Klayra and the others stand afar, behind the scorching circle that wraps around us. The fire embers float in the air. I hear the sounds of the hissing ground and the hooves of my Fireninze galloping towards us.
I hear Theon’s cries, the heartbreak in his sobs breaking me all over again.
Florian lifts his hands, placing them against Koen’s heart as he drops his head. His golden hair blocks the view from his soaked cheeks, and he cries.
He yells at the Gods.
His fist hits at the ground.
He mourns.
We both mourn.
We cry for Koen.
Chapter 51
“The healers are protected by the God of Light. But when a healer dies, their magic absorbs into the spot of their death. If there is any magic left inside of them when their soul leaves the Realm.” - Book of Azure
A SEARING LIGHT EMANATES FROM Florian's hands as he hovers them over Koen’s body. His head tilts back, rain pouring down on us like a relentless downfall of sorrow. As if my family line of Deskyiaras are mourning with us.
I almost feel their pain, radiating from the sky. Their screams as if they are the loud thunder rolling through the sky.
“What are you doing?” I stammer, my voice cracking, as I notice Kaine collapsing to his knees in the distance, rubbing his trembling hands through his brown hair, begging Florian to cease his madness.
“What are you doing!” I scream again, desperate to reach him through his blindness, reminding me of what I saw in Koen’s eyes. I must stop him, yet terrified that my touch will burn him to ash, I continue to scream. “Florian!” My voice breaks in agony.
“Let me do this for you!” His eyes glisten with unshed tears, cascading down to his crimson stained, scaly armor.
I shake my head, my brows furrowing in. Fear is clogging my throat as I try to shutter a deep breath.
I won’t lose them both.
“You cannot bring him back!” I cry out, the knot in my throat threatening to choke me. “The Gods will never allow that!”
“I must try!” His gaze pierces into mine. “Without Koen, you are lost. You will die of heartbreak! Which means…”
He halts, drawing a deep, ragged breath. “If you die, and my brother is gone, I have nothing left to live for.”
“You are the King!” I plea out to him. “You have everything to live for! Everything to fight for! You can bring peace!”
“No. I am no King.” Blood-streaked strands of his hair cover his face as he glances down towards Koen. “We both know that only you can bring peace.”
The light begins to flicker across his arms and hands as he places them against Koen’s lifeless body. Tears drip down my cheeks as I plead, “Please stop! I can’t lose you both!”
I glance over my shoulder towards the others, Hyreo’s hands are behind his head in shock while Klyara’s hand grips Kaine’s shoulder.
