He takes a step back, almost tripping over some broken branches as he rubs his fingers through his tousled hair.
“Koen? What is it?” My voice cracks, and I take a step forward, the cool air brushing against my skin as I reach out to touch his back that is facing me. But the crisp sound of leaves crunching underfoot interrupts me, and I pause midway.
“There you two are.”
My tensed shoulders relax as I catch Florian making his way around the trees, striding towards us. He ducks under the low branches, his icy hair beaming against the dark night.
“How did you know we would be here?” I mutter, knowing I want to understand what the hell just happened with Koen, but with Florian here, he will never tell me.
“Koen found me at the celebration. We have a short window to leave the Kingdom.”
“You shouldn’t be going with us.” My lips rub between my teeth, remembering what happened the last time we arrived. I can still hear his painful screams like it happened yesterday. “I am selfish to want you to come.”
“I won’t have to shift.”
“What?” I glance between the two brothers as the wind picks up, blowing the leaves around the lush green grass, making it seem as if tiny stars are twirling around us.
Koen clears his throat, finally turning to face us. “What do you mean?”
Florian grabs his weathered, leather bag from his shoulder. He reaches inside and pulls out a bright milky-white stone. The stone pulses with a luminescent glow, like a distant star twinkling in the night sky.
“You did not!” Koen growls. “Put it back in that damn bag before someone sees this!”
“No, brother. This is the only way we will make it there and back in time for no one to notice us missing.”
“Can someone explain what this is?” I squint, avoiding the light.
“The Light Stone.” Koen’s eyes narrow, pulling his hand to his brows. “The Queen’s stone. The one that we all fight for in the battle games for our Realm to be curse free. How the hell did you get this?” Koen’s voice booms, blaring in the wind, and I just pray no one hears him.
“Not now, I will tell you once we arrive in Nilak.” Florian holds out the stone in his palms.
“There is no way she can travel with the stones! She isn’t a Royal!” Koen violently rubs his hands through his curls as he paces. “She could die, you do know that? My body can hardly handle the pain traveling through it!”
“I can heal her if she gets hurt.”
“Absolutely not!” My voice raises. “Kaine told me everything about you not being able to heal right now due to the curses, and you will not risk your life just to heal me!”
“Put your damn hand on the stone.” Florian’s voice drops to a deep hiss, his brows pulling inward as he glares at Koen. Hehuffs, placing his palm against the stone, and looks over towards me.
“If she dies, this is on you.” Koen’s eyes darken, his jaw ticking every few seconds before he side-eyes me with soft, unblinking eyes, making my heart seize. “This is a mistake. You can heal… not bring someone back from death. The Gods will never allow it.”
“Serene.” Florian’s eyes widen, the light of the stone casting shadows against his face as his eyes flare with fire. “Trust me. Now.”
Shit.
“If I die, I'm coming back to haunt the both of you,” I snarl as I press my hand firmly against the cold stone, feeling a surge of heat run rampant through my body like an electric current. My head whips back, eyes wide open, as a sharp gasp escapes my lips. I struggle to draw in the cool, crisp air around me.
And everything goes white.
Chapter 21
“The stones are consumed with the magic from the Gods. It has the ability to transport those who hold it to another Realm like the speed of light. However, if you are not worthy enough to hold the stone, you’ll be scorched and left with only ashes in the air.” - Book of Azure
I GASP, GRASPING AT MY neck for the oxygen to flow through.
My skin burns as if lava has been poured all over me. None has, but yet, the snow sizzles around me. A puddle of cold water from melted snow thickens around me, sloshing under me as I push my trembling body off of the freezing ground.
My fingertips tingle, feeling an electrical rush vibrating up to my shoulders.I didn’t die.
