Arim muttered something under his breath and squatted down. Frowning, he placed a hand on Alandra’s forehead and uttered a healing chant. I joined him, willing her to get well, praying for her to wake so I could shake some sense into her.
Moments passed.
“She’s not moving,” I said stupidly.
“I know that. I just spent the last few minutes trying to ensure she never would again, and I’m still not sure I should have stopped.” Arim glanced at me, waiting for an explanation I wasn’t ready to give.
Staring down at Alandra, seeing her lying so still and unresponsive, finally broke the silence I had promised her. She might not trust the Storm Lords, but I did. And it was high time I remembered just who and what I was.
I would use everything at my disposal, all my strengths and assets, to save my affai.
Guilt swarmed me. Had I confided in my family about her sooner, this would never have happened. Arim might have been the one who harmed her, but the blame lay squarely on me.
“She saved Marcus from the Nocumat during our last battle with Sin Garu,” I explained. “Apparently, she’s been watching out for us — for me — since we stepped into this plane.”
Arim’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing.
“She’s mine. And if you can’t save her, you can’t save me.” I did the only thing I could think of to help her.
I merged my magic with Alandra’s to give her the strength to fight back. I hadn’t counted on the great depth of her energy. It sucked me down, greedily drinking me in. But I gave her everything, holding nothing back.
Arim might have cursed, but I wasn’t sure. My body and mind shut down as I toppled next to her.
Cold numbed me to all but the feminine ball of Shadow surrounding me. Energies merged, shifted, and I felt what she felt. She had gone beyond pain and readied for death.
But I forced her to relinquish the numbness, to feel again, jolting her back to awareness.
Aerolus?
Yes, love, I’m here. I’m waiting for you, Alandra. I’ve always been waiting for you.
I’m so cold. What happened?
It’s over now, I forced out. By the Light, the pain was excruciating. Focused on getting better so she’d follow me to consciousness, I did my best to separate myself from the echoing hurt scouring my soul.
It’s not as bad if you let go, she offered.
Don’t do that. Reach for me. I’ve come to take you home.
I expected a fight, at least some resistance. But she surprised me. Her essence grew porous, and she opened up, sharing the small warmth she’d been protecting deep inside. Suddenly, as if a blowtorch had been lit, the ice surrounding me melted, to be replaced by pinpricks of sensation that blazed a trail of fire throughout my body.
I knew she felt the same, but she didn’t complain or shudder from the extreme sensation. Instead, she embraced it, growing stronger with me as we rejoined the living.
Blinking up into Arim’s glowering face, I could do little more than groan before my uncle hauled me to my feet. A glance at Alandra showed her peaceful in slumber, her breathing deep and even.
“And I used to think you were the smart one. Don’t pass out,” Arim growled before reaching for Alandra. Unlike his previous dealing with my affai, Arim took extreme care to be gentle, folding his arms under her slight frame and cradling her to his chest. He turned from the kitchen and strode with her to my bedroom, depositing her with care on the bed.
Arim kept his eyes on Alandra and asked, “What, by the four corners, is happening around here? I’ve just spent the past hour battling with warrior Aellei and an ogre, only to find another Aellein threat within what should have been a Storm Lord sanctum.”
He sounded gruff, but I heard his apology amid the explanation. He ran a hand over his face. “I would never have harmed her had I known she was yours. I thought she was another of the enemy come to kill you.” He nodded in the direction of Trudy Warner’s house. “Trust me, dealing with those warriors was no picnic. But none of them gave me half the surprise she did.”
I stared at my affai. She looked so small, so fragile. Yet her magic was stronger than mine. Joined with her, I’d felt her tremendous power. It intrigued me as much as it unnerved me.
“Can you tell me how an Aellein royal got her hands on elemental powers none of her kind should possess?”
“What?” I tucked a strand of her hair behind her pointed ear.
“She set your winds on me, Aerolus.” Arim turned, eyeing me carefully. “And you pulse with Dark energy. First Cadmus, and now you.”
