“You said I wouldn’t be hurt physically or with magic,” Avery protested.
“Yes, well, I’ll be doing you no harm. If anything, a dreamless sleep will be a relief after your ordeal in this cave.” As he spoke, Rylo reached out and touched Avery’s forehead. Right where the Goddess mark was glamoured, stroking the spot with a tenderness that made Avery’sanxious body roil in disgust. Despite fighting the temptation, Avery quickly succumbed to that soft, sweet draw toward sleep.
Chapter forty-five
Kyla
Kyla was trying to keep from leaping with joy. The sight of the intact fae encampment and Bayberry skirting the shores of the autumn dawn light caused a palpable feeling of relief and joy, one that felt so good it could very well sweep Kyla away.
With the help of the Bayberry healers, the army was ready to march home in record time. Victory, overshadowed by Avery’s capture, had brought about a solemn mood amongst their warriors. But with winter tents and loved ones waiting safely near the shores of Dorfaren Lake, nothing could stop the buoyant energy that hummed in the warriors.
War elk bugled to the herd stock, signaling their joyful homecoming. Cheers from the encampment met them as soulmates, partners, and families rushed to be reunited with the ones they loved.
Kyla always dreaded this moment. It would be only a few seconds before the tangible joy and celebration in the air shifted to something more stagnant, something heavy and dark. There were soulmates waiting for the return of their loved ones who would never return. When they did not see them, they would know that knot in their soul that told them something was wrong was correct. There were mothers and fathers, grandparents and children looking for their cherished family members, and they would not see them amongst the victorious warriors.
The first cry came from Galaf, a herder and original follower of the rebellion. “Tigah! Where is my Tigah?”
Tigah was not returning to her soulmate. Galaf’s fear and desperation hit Kyla like a wall of steam. The heaviness of it made her block out the surrounding emotions. She couldn’t take in the feeling of that much pain, not after she nearly lost Garnel. Those emotions were all too familiar, too raw for Kyla to take.
Garnel sensed the change in her demeanor and placed a comforting hand on Kyla’s back. “This is never easy. We were so close to being another bonded soulmate torn apart. But I am here now, and I’m not leaving you.”
Kyla released a steadying breath and walked over to Galaf. The man was on the ground. Cries of agony carried across the cool prairie breeze. Kyla’s skin tingled with the onslaught of emotions. This was never easy, carrying someone else’s grief, but after what she experienced with Garnel, the emotions threatened to unravel her.
Garnel kept a reassuring hand on Kyla’s back. Her fighting leathers were so tight that she struggled to keep her breath from faltering into panic.
“We do this together. We bring all of them what comfort we can together,” Garnel murmured in her ear.
Kyla opened her senses to the emotions in the field. So much joy and elation circled the edges of grief and despair, mingled with confusion. Such polar emotions shouldn’t be felt at the same time. Garnel moved beside Galaf, his long red hair sliding down his shoulders as braids and baubles tinkled when he moved.
Garnel’s voice was gravelly as he said, “Tigah fought bravely. She is in Arcadia today, brother.”
The man let out a shattered cry. Startled, desperate emotions hit Kyla like a wall. Her body shook with a jolt, her essence swirling under her skin. Cautiously, Kyla kneeled before the grieving man.
“This pain you are feeling is something you never should have to feel. Can I give you some relief?” she asked.
“No! Don’t touch me! Tigah is gone, and I don’t want to be here without her. Where is our commander? Why is he not the one sharing in my anguish?” Galaf asked.
“He—the Nepheli took the human, Avery Hollis, in battle. He went after them,” Garnel said, shaking his head. The lines of worry were etched between his eyes.
Kyla was without words. She only wanted to help ease Galaf’s pain, but his rejection reminded her of the time she forced her essence on Avery. Even though she offered now, it still stung. Kyla only wanted to help others.
“That witch! She is the reason the loyalists stayed on our side of the pass. She is the reason this battle happened. We should have rid ourselves of her presence here. Savine and the human have my Tigah’s blood on their hands. Our leader dares to choose her over his own folk!” The man’s face was contorted into a scowl. His essence whipped angrily across his skin.
He stood, shouting to the gathering crowd, “Savine has betrayed us! He has abandoned us in our sorrow!” Galaf paused, and released an anguished shriek before he continued saying, “My soulmate is dead because of him!” As he shouted, he pulled a blade from his pocket. Garnel reached to stop him, but it was too late. Galaf pressed the blade across his own throat. Blood poured onto the golden grass at his feet, droplets dripping onto Kyla as she leaped up to catch the man.
Galaf slid into Kyla’s arms, his shallow breath wet with blood. Kyla pressed her essence into him, relieving his pain.
The man’s eyes looked beyond Kyla to the soft cluster of clouds overhead. They were relaxed, even as his breathing spluttered and he choked on his own blood. “There you are… My Tigah.”
Galaf’s pulse diminished, and Kyla knew he was dead. Her hands were coated in the viscid blood. Her heart pounded as she turned and looked at the crowd gathered around her. It was not uncommon for a soulmate to end their own life when they lost their other half. In fact, many followed their other half to Arcadia.
Kyla couldn’t prevent herself from remembering the moment Garnel’s heart stopped during the attack on the encampment. The severed loss of their bond was the most horrifying experience of her life. In that moment, she’d reached for her own blade. Nearly took her own life right there. Then she’d felt that tiny tendril of the weakened bond between them. She had raced to his side like never before. Kyla hadn’t the heart to tell her mate what she’d nearly done.
Garnel helped her up from the ground and spoke to the Latians and Bayberries growing at the scene.
“Tigah didn’t die in vain. She and the others died fighting for our true king and our right to live in peace under a king who does not see his citizens as expendable. Savine, our commander, wears the crown of cedar boughs, and it is thanks to the human, Avery, that this was possible. While we battled the loyalists, King Savine called forth the flora and fauna to defeat our enemy. We had defeated the loyalists when we were attacked by Hylaxes and later an army of Nepheli. They took Avery. King Savine is riding out to free her now. He- he declared her as his soulmate!” Garnel said.
The crowd murmured at the news Garnel shared. Kyla could see loved ones who turned to their warriors, asking if what Garnel said was true. Heads were nodding and the emotion in the encampment rose to a crescendo of excitement mingled with doubt.
