"May the goddess guide your steps and bring you back to me." Nevair kissed both of Lian's cheeks before dressing himself. Nevair didn't mention a shower, Lian guessed probably for the same reason he hadn't.
Nevair knocked on the door when they were ready. The walk from the station to the cathedral saw crowds lining both sides of the path. Screams filled the air at the first sight of Lian. "What's going on?" he asked the guards.
"Protest. They don't want you to burn. The council had to go into hiding due to the death threats."
Lian looked over at the crowd of protestors and felt a surge of warmth towards the people. They couldn't stop it, but he appreciated their support. He lifted a hand and waved to them. A loud cheer answered his gesture but he couldn't understand them over the noise. He nodded politely and continued to follow the guards. Who knew finding the love of his life would end in his death?
Sighing, Lian followed the guards to the large courtyard to the right of the cathedral. A section was cordoned off and what looked like an army of police protected the ropes. A huge pyre filled the center of the space, intimidatingly large. Lian's heart beat double time, trying to leap out his throat, which would probably be less painful than a burning.
"Couldn't they kill me before burning?" Lian complained.
"No." Nevair replied. "We have to give the goddess the chance to save you."
"And if she doesn't?" Lian was pretty sure of the answer, but he needed to hear it from his lover's lips.
"Then we die together," Nevair vowed.
Lian suppressed his objection. He didn't have the right to tell Nevair what to do. Instead, he nodded, his eyes on the pyre.
"I'll help you to the top." The nice guard from before took Lian's hand and supported him up the rickety pile of wood. "Careful," he warned when Lian started to slip.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to break a leg if I can burn instead."
The guard winced but didn't say anything further.
Sighing, Lian climbed to the top and sat on the pile. "I feel like a bird on a nest," he grumbled.
"We could tie you to the pole, but we thought that would be too dramatic. Why don't you lie down?" the helpful guard offered.
Lying down would put all the body parts on fire pretty much at the same time. It was good advice. Shifting his weight, Lian settled on his back. He could feel every pokey branch stabbing his itchy back. At least his discomfort wouldn't last long. He gave a hysterical laugh.
"I love you." Nevair's voice drifted up to him.
Lian wished his lover had stayed behind. Nevair didn't need to see this.
"I love you, too," Lian rushed the words out.
He might not get another chance to speak. Lian's one point of happiness was Tres being unable to come and watch him burn. Nevair told him last night the man had requested the chance, but everyone from the judge to his lawyer had denied him.
Bastard!
"Give me that!" Lian turned his head and watched Nevair yank the torch out of the guard's hand. "Don't you know anything about tradition?"
The guard bowed low to Nevair but didn't speak.
Nevair approached the stack of wood. "May the will of the goddess follow you into the hereafter or place your feet on the path to righteousness."
Nevair placed the torch at the base of the kindling. The soft whoosh of flames burning up the pyre made Lian sick to his stomach. Soon he would start to feel the heat. His natural magic wouldn't keep him from burning. Knowing he had healing powers he couldn't use for his own body was a special kind of torment.
His heart jolted when the crackling fire came closer. The smell of burnt wood choked Lian and made him cough.
At least he'd die of smoke inhalation before the flames ever reached him.
The sky, a brilliant blue above him, mocked him with its beauty. At the first flicker of a flame at the bottom of his foot, Lian bit his lip to hold back a scream. Bad enough Nevair would see him burn, Lian wouldn't leave him with screams ringing in his ears.
"You have proven yourself a man worthy of a dragon,"a female voice sang in Lian's ear.
The smoke must be getting to him.
