“Don’t look down,” Auriel said. “Just go.”
I had done this already, twice. I’d even run onto the damn bridge willingly to save Rhyan’s life. But now, I felt paralyzed.
“You won’t fall,” Auriel said. “I won’t let you.”
“You still have some of that magic to slow us down if I do?” I asked.
“For you,” he winked, “always.”
I sucked in a breath, and I took a step, then another. The bridge swayed, rocking back and forth. I gripped the banister, the rope rough against my skin, and found the next floorboard.
“Good,” Auriel said. “Keep going.”
I did, barely daring to breathe. It felt like an eternity, but we made it across. Now all we had to do was reach the lower level, and walk into the mine of a hundred akadim. My stomach turned.
We took careful, measured steps in our descent, moving cautiously in case we encountered any akadim shirking orders. But the way was entirely clear, and it wasn’t long before we stepped down to the next level. We crossed over the stone bridge, and began our final descent.
When I reached the bottom level, I pushed back against the wall, my chest heaving.
Auriel came before me and pressed his forehead to mine in the dark.
“Remember, your name is power with him. He’s down here and even now—especially now—he’ll protect you. Get the shard, stab him in the heart—do whatever you must. Whatever happens, it ends now. He can’t go on like this. And we can’t allow two shards to go to the enemy.” I nodded shakily.
“I’m going after the green shard,” Auriel said. “I remember where I buried it. I know what to do. I’m going to get it back for you. Draw their attention away, and I’ll make my move.”
Then he kissed me, his lips soft against mine. There was no lust behind it. Not like before. It wasn’t meant to lead to anything or say anything more than it was. A kiss. A show of love. And in that moment, I could feel the love he had for me, feel it rippling through my veins, filling my aura. It wasn’t just me he was expressing his love for, but it was also his love for Asherah. For my soul.
I squeezed my eyes shut, and touched the hilt of my sword. If he was strong enough to travel across the realms of time and space to find me, to risk his immortality, and defy the Council of Forty-Four then I could be strong enough to face these akadim. To walk out and call Rhyan’s soul back to mine.
And so I did. I stepped out from behind the wall, planted my feet down, and pushed back my hood with a shaking hand. A pair of red eyes fell on me, and then another, and another, until dozens had stopped rolling their carts, until dozens more had stopped moving completely. All to watch me—baring their teeth, their nostrils flared, attuned to my scent.
My heart pounded so loud I was sure they could hear it even above the sounds of digging and excavation that continued.
I held up my arms. “I am Lady Lyriana Batavia.”
The akadim growled in response, subtly shifting forward, gnashing their teeth and baring their fangs.
“I demand you bring me to Arkturion Rhyan,” I shouted.
Several started toward me, their claws extended either ready to attack or grab me—I couldn’t tell which.
But then a voice rose above the noise, growling with a low and powerful vibration. Its command exploded above the commotion. “Make a path.” Rhyan.
The akadim began to clear, scrambling to get out of their Arkturion’s way, dropping their heads, and looking away from me. My heart thundered as I realized how right Auriel had been. Even just the day before, they would have looked at me, tried to get closer. Now it was clear that they’d all received their new orders. I was untouchable.
Except when it came to him.
He stalked forward, wearing the same boots and riding pants, the same leather vest as the day before. His red eyes glowed against the silver of his collar, matching the subtle glow of the sword at his back—the red shard.
I stepped out to meet him, my eyes unflinchingly on his.
“Hello, lover,” I said.
He widened his arms as he continued toward me and grinned, baring his teeth, his fangs shining. His tongue poked out and slid against their sharpened edges.
“Lyriana,” he singsonged. “I knew you’d come back.” His eyes dipped down the length of my body before rising to my face. “I see you’ve been busy. Couldn’t resist returning to my bedroom, could you?” He shook his head. “Put on all of your old clothes. All of your old things.” He gestured at my armor and weapons. “I liked you better with them off.”
“Why? Easier to fight me?” I asked. “When I’m weaponless? Or how about when I’m tied up?”
