The city was being sundered from the inside. Even from where they stood at the crest of the hill, the shockwaves from the flash beads threatened to knock them over. Far below them, the second wall crumbled in on itself.
The Archives came to life. Knights scrambled and began to form a barricade in front of the entry. The massive doors of the Archives—ones that took chains and wheels to open and at least ten people each to close—were beginning to shut.
“We can’t let them barricade it.” Olivin’s eyes swung back to her and everything seemed to still.
“Then let’s go.”
He looked between her and the knights. “There’s not going to be a way for us to get in, undetected…not without drawing their attention when they’re already on high alert. Our illusions are good, but not that good, and you know it.”
“With my rune, I can?—”
He silenced her with a look. Kind. Gentle even. But knowing her emotions all too well, probably even better than she did. His hand rested on her cheek. “You are the most astounding womanI have ever met, but—though you might be loathe to admit it—even you have your limitations.”
“Olivin…” Her heart was in her throat, threatening to choke her. She knew he had been planning to stay behind. That they would be forced to bear time apart. But she wasn’t ready for it to happennow. She’d never be ready. And something about this moment felt so much more final than the goodbye she’d been bracing for.
“You wanted me to let you live your life as you were meant to do—extend me the same courtesy, what you always have done.” He knew what he was going to do. His mind was made up. She saw it in his eyes before any words were said or actions were taken. The raw determination.
“Damn it, why do you have to be a hero?” she whispered.
“When this is over, we could have a beautiful little home. A place we return to after the toils of our adventure. A place of rest. Once Ulvarth is gone, there will be so much opportunity for us to make Meru—the place you always loved—just as we want it.” His brows tilted up in the middle slightly, eyes alight with amusement at his own words. She choked on soft laughter. He was being ridiculous, and knew it. But there was something to the wild fantasy of them having a quaint little home to retreat to when it was all over that protected them for one last breath from the chaos rising around them. One last second in the eye of the storm. “This could be a home,our home.”
“I have a home,” she whispered, eyes stinging. “And it has a name:Stormfrost.”
“I know. And I love you for it.” Even with Cullen right next to her, Olivin grabbed her face and pulled her to him. Eira’s eyes dipped closed and she kissed him. It even tasted of longing for a time that hadn’t yet passed.
She didn’t let him pull away when he tried. Eira grabbed his shirt with her fist and yanked, closing the gap between themonce more. His lips crashed into hers and Olivin let out a startled yelp that she smothered with her mouth. She kissed him like it would be their last time. Like the stars that were her guides would burn out and the winds would never see her return to this port.
“I love you,” she whispered across his mouth as he pulled away.
His eyes widened a fraction. Something akin to joy curled the corners of his lips. “I knew it,” he finally breathed. “Now, get Yonlin for me. No matter what, keep him safe.”
“You stay alive long enough to do it yourself.” She ran her hands over his face, mapping it. “Stay alive long enough to show me that stupid, quaint little house so I can tell you how foolish it is and kidnap you for good.”
He laughed, even the sound was tinged with pain. “I’ll try.”
She wanted to demand he say it again but, this time, convince her it wasn’t a lie. The doors groaned as they began to open. Their time had run out.
He pulled away, her hands slipping from his person. With one final, roguish grin, Olivin dropped his illusion. She choked on shock. Even knowing what was coming, the world ground to a halt, every second slower than the last. Nothing escaped her mouth even when she wanted to call out to him. Cullen held her in place as she jerked forward—thrusting out a hand, as if she could grab him back.
“Wynry,” Olivin roared, “Let’s end this once and for all!”
A figure emerged from among the knights, slipping out from between the doors. Each one of her steps was slow and deliberate. Eira was reminded of a great feline, predatory and deadly. The familial resemblance was unmistakable. Knights encircled them, as if making an arena. Their focus was entirely on Olivin.
“About time, brother. I just knew you’d be dumb enough to come alone. You always loved Yonlin best.” Wynry’s remark had Eira realizing that the walls going down made the Pillars think that she was farther down the slope.
“It’s easier to love the sibling that didn’t kill your father,” Olivin countered.
Magic blazed. Lightspinning words shouted magic into existence as Wynry and Olivin lunged for each other. Eira knew that only one of them was walking away from this and, just like she had to be the one to end Ulvarth, he had to be the one to kill his sister.
Eira forced herself to move. Every footstep felt like she was ripping off a part of her. The reverberation through her legs had her teeth rattling. Pain arced through her as they slipped into the doors of the Archives before they slammed shut.
What had she done? What had she done?
She navigated through the stairs of the Archives, releasing Cullen and relaxing her illusion only when it was absolutely essential—and no one else was around—to climb the ladders. He followed her without word or question, all the way to the secret door that she’d been instructed to go through by Deneya and Taavin nearly a year ago.
Her very first mission for the Court of Shadows had led to her last subterfuge in Risen.
She guided Cullen on the ascent through the pitch-black passages behind the great vault of knowledge. Though, they didn’t make it far before he stopped all movement. Eira tugged. Cullen didn’t move. Instead, he shifted his hand, gripping her wrist as much as she was his, and pulled her toward him.
