“We thank you for your guild’s attempt to help us keep our land.” Emperor Lovington bowed his head to Fawn. “We brought our guards and as many people as we could. We want to help destroy the monsters and the one leading them.”
“The Lethium Empire is now a refuge for other mages in other empires,” Emperor Lloyd informed us, and my heart twisted in my chest as I realized exactly what Fawn had just lost.
She lost mages she’d cared for, her home, and her journals. And I would make Matthieu pay for all of it.
I vowed that to the depths of my spirit.
8
FAWN
Numbness filledmy spirit and vessel as I woke up in the Lethium Empire's castle. Sorrow and despair mingled through the bond, but grief weighed heavy on my heart.
I failed my adventurers and everyone else who had put their trust in us to protect them from monsters in our empire—all because of one mage’s insidious delusions.
The urge to fall into oblivion pulled at my spirit with a force I couldn't quite ignore, but instead, I clung to the faint hope that there was still a chance—we hadn't reached the point of no return.
We had a chance to take our empire—our world—back from the clutches of Matthieu and the horde of monsters he commanded.
Wehada weapon to create and a plan to execute.
I just needed the motivation to pursue it.
I rolled out of bed just as Aimon came into the room with a plate of food. His presence brought with it a warmth that dispelled the chill of my thoughts, and the delicious scent of eggs and bacon danced in the air.
“Mornin’, bug.” He walked over and set the plate on the end table. “You need to eat. I know it’s hard, and I’m not downplaying that, but I need you to take care of yourself.”
“Good morning.” I pushed myself to my feet, the cool floor grounding me in the present. Aimon's unwavering support was a lifeline I desperately needed. I shuffled toward my change of clothes, dressing quickly before going back and grabbing the plate. “Where are the rest of the guys?”
“Bastian’s in the potion room getting everything ready.” He sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to him, and I planted myself there. “Silas and the twins are retrieving a lochie tooth.”
“What are we doing?” I took a bite of eggs and fluttered my eyes shut. I hadn’t realized how hungry I’d been—but I had skipped dinner last night.
“We are going to get ice wraith dust once you finish eating,” he told me, leaning closer. “But you haven’t been a very good girl, bug. You haven’t been eating.”
“I don’thaveto eat—”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned back. “Don’t give me that, Fawn. You’re depressed. I get it. Everything is messed up. You’ve lost more people close to you, and it’s all because of that monster Matthieu.”
My heart clenched, the emotional knots within me unraveled by his understanding gaze. I swallowed the bite of food in my mouth and set the fork down before bending over to put the plate on the table again. “He’s ruined my life on so many occasions, Aimon. At first, I felt so guilty for sharing my curse of immortality with you…but, now, I’m grateful for it. I know it’s selfish, but—”
His lips met mine softly before he pulled back, and love pulsed through our bond.
"Never think it's selfish," he breathed against my lips, the sentiment echoing through our shared bond. “I’m grateful for it, too. We love you, bug. Samantha, Shay, and Ash—they didn’t deserve any of this, but this isn’t your fault.Weare going to make him pay, no matter what it takes. Do you understand me?”
“Aimon…” I sighed, glancing at my lap.
“No.” He gripped my chin and made me look at him. “Do you understand? We’re going to make it through all of this together.”
“I understand,” I murmured.
“Good girl.” His voice rumbled.
My lips curved into a smile as a newfound determination stirred in my chest.
Aimon was right. I had to get it together and fight against Matthieu and his monsters, but to do that, I needed to have my head on straight. I stood up and turned toward my sweet earth mage. “Let’s go to the Wisps Outlands and get the ice wraith dust. The faster that potion is finished, the faster we can end Matthieu once and for all.”
He smirked, standing up and dusting off his robe. “Let’s go then, bug.”
