I knew they likely weren’t sold on the new knowledge about Malakai. I’d bet Ashley had never been this quiet in her whole life.
I glanced up to Malakai, but his expression was blank. How was he able to look so collected? Another rejection,another one calling him an abomination… As if hearing me, his eyes turned to meet mine, and a low huff left him as he smiled faintly. His hand reached out, grabbing me quickly and tugging me towards him. My heart almost stopped, I had been fighting against my feelings since the attack. He made reality come crashing down, and I wasn’t ready for it. I wasn’t ready to feel the devastation of Mey’s death, the rejection of our squadmates towards Malakai’s nature, or Lionel’s silent goodbye as he had walked away from me yet again.
“No matter what happens,” Malakai said, low, his voice embracing me like smoke. “You’ll always be my spark.” Then his lips were on mine, softly, taking his time, but my mind was conflicted. My emotions tried pushing through but I suppressed them again.
Not now.
As slowly as he had initiated, he pulled back, his eyes glowing with a promise.
“I trust you,” I whispered against his lips. His hand caressed my cheek, before he planted a kiss on my forehead, taking my hand in his as we walked together into the open field.
Nate stopped by a small glade, carefully placing Mey against one of the last tree trunks before the open fields.
“I’ll come back for you, sit tight,” he whispered, as if she was still alive.
Maybe he was fooling his own mind, like I was, pushing the emotions away, forcing ourselves forward in the moment and delaying our feelings. There was no time to mourn right now.
But later, we would make time.
On our side were the mages, Michlael standing in the front, with Nicron at his side and a dozen other wielders.
On the other side, I saw the Ashen Corps, with Lionel and Eve standing next to a female, commander—Izera, the woman with a bob of black hair, who had stood beside Malakai at the map table back in Blackreach.
I was almost relieved to see a familiar face, perhaps one which would strengthen our cause since she knew Malakai? Wasn’t his rank above hers?
Nate and Ashley stopped behind the mages, keeping a safe distance just in case.
Ashley sent me a quick glance as we passed them, and her eyes said more than any words would’ve been able to. She was still on my side, regardless of how conflicted she might’ve been, she wasstillthere.
“Lieutenant?” Izera gasped, as he led me to the front, placing us close to Michlael’s side.
“Lower your weapons,” Malakai ordered, not acknowledging her in the slightest.
She tensed. “I’m sorry sir, we have orders from the highest command telling us otherwise.”
Malakai tilted his head, annoyance spreading across his face, the same mask he had crafted when we first met, the very same look that tore inside of you and instilled fear.
She clearly reacted to it, averting her eyes. “What is this about?”
“We wish to speak of treaties,” Michlael stepped in. “To end the war or at least reach a lasting ceasefire, focus our attention to the south.”
“What?” Izera chuckled dryly. “Getting low on morale?Why the sudden change?”
“The demons are building an army,” I cut in, earning myself a burning glare from her.
“And you are?” Izera snapped.
“Your demise, if you don’t change that tone of yours,” Malakai threatened, and Izera straightened herself.
“The actions of the demons are the mages’ fault, not ours.” She glared at Michlael, as if sending the words to him specifically. “They should clean up their own mess. Why would we sacrifice people for their mistakes? No, the demons are their problem to handle, not ours.”
“Then,” Malakai let out a long breath. “How about I make it your problem?”
His words cut the air, my head snapping towards him in confusion as his eyes began glowing, vividly.
“What—”
His eyes turned towards me, his hand clutching my neck as he hauled me against his chest. The grip was firm, putting pressure against my throat.
