“I won’t leave you! I can fight!” She reaches for me, but Cade steps before me and pulls her into his chest. He mumbles something I can’t hear, but it seems to relax her because when he moves out of the way, her golden eyes are lined with tears but her face has softened. She kisses him quickly, giving me a nod before she’s running.
The men have crested the hill and the Enchantresses around me ready themselves. Elaine is next to me, a Stormwielder. She raises her hands and a thick layer of static bounds through the air. I glance at Elora, meeting her eyes. She screams and I dareto glance behind me to see Cade on his knees. Elaine flicks her wrists up and a bolt of lightning splits the earth, but the men are quick.
Their iron shackles and poison arrows hit the women around me like sitting ducks.
And there are so many of them. So, so many. I snap my gaze to Elora again and just as she begins to step forward, I know what I have to do. I know what the Fates were trying to show me all along.
Protect the Stones.
Protect the girl.
I can’t let them capture me.
If they take me, they’ll have control over the Stones. They’ll use me just as they’ll use her.
The men move closer, their presence pushing down on my decisions, forcing me to do what I’ve Seen.
Every moment of her life was leading to this. Every moment ofmylife was leading to this. Keeping her safe, guarded, making sure she washere,on the mountain, and not in Valebridge after all.
You’ll find a way, susi.
You’ll find him.
You’ll make this right.
I mouth the words “I love you,” but I fear she can’t see me through the thick flurries of snow so I smile at her just to be sure.
My daughter.
My heart.
My soul.
My little wolf.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Screams erupt around me. I don’t have much time.
The blade isn’t as heavy as I remember, but I don’t think twice as I bring it to my throat and fulfill my part of the prophecy.
Thirty-Three
Samaria
The walkback to mine and Jarek’s room seems to stretch for miles. Jarek’s been resting most of the day thanks to Sorin, though I can’t say I blame him for his anger. When Galen and his parents moved to Loxley, the two were instantly inseparable. Even when Galen left for Ramshire to study, they found ways to get into mischief.
But, Galen was my friend, too. A thought I’ve refused to settle on for too long. The betrayal is still too deep. Too unreal.
My gut twists as I round another corner of the ever-winding Jade Guild. The spirits I pass as I walk through the hallways mostly keep to themselves. A few rush me, grappling at my hair and shoulders, their lips moving, their eyes wide. I don’t open the portal to hear them, not with having already used my magick today.
My head pounds and hands still tremble from seeing my father and Elora’s mother as I stand at the door of our room. I’m eager to tell Jarek of my magick, but as I place my hand on the knob, the image of Jarek boarding a ship for Scandavi rushes forth. The back of his head as he disappears into the horizon makes my eyes mist. I slide my hand from the doorknob.
How can I continue to share his bed knowing soon I won’t have him at all?
