I collapsed to my knees, dizzy and weak. I had drawn too much of my power too fast, and my vision went hazy. In the back of my mind, I was aware of Théo falling to the ground, but I could only focus on the heavy draw of breath between my cracked lips.
Chapter sixty-six
Théo
It was the biggest gamble of his life, but he had been willing to take it, in the name of love. It had come to him so clearly, during those long evenings in the library, that if their plan were to fail, he could still save them.
The ritual was there, buried within the lines of the other. The ability to connect soul to soul with life mágik. It was the first step in Lady Adiran’s plan, but Théo had formed the connection before she had the chance.
He did it, not to steal her mágik, but to draw away her power. To weaken her, so his friends might stand a proper chance at defeating her.
Théo felt it, the moment the moon shard pierced her heart. He felt it as if it were his own, for his soul was still bound to hers.
Stone tile was cool beneath his cheek. He vaguely remembered falling in the aftermath of the blow, but he didn’t feel any pain now. Warm hands smoothed over his cold skin, and he smiled weakly. Voices washed over him, but they did not come through clearly.
Lady Adiran’s heartbeat pulsed aside his own, its rhythm slowing until it had nearly stopped. They were dying, but he had always known it would be so.
His life was a cost worth paying to save the ones he loved.
“Théo!”
Ayla.
Her name died on his clumsy lips. He could not force his mouth to form the words, but he dug deep—searching for the will. He could not leave her without saying goodbye.
“Théo, hold on. You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.” Ayla sobbed over him, fat tears wetting the fabric of his tunic.
She touched him with careful hands, searching for the killing blow, but there was none. “What do I do? How do I save you?”
In his eyes, she saw the truth. There was nothing to be done.
The shake of his head was slow, undeniable. His body was whole, his health intact. But his soul could not hold on much longer.
“Ayla,” he finally managed, the barest breath on his lips.
“Théo, don’t leave me. You promised you’d never leave me. You’ve never broken a promise to me. Don’t start now, I beg of you.” Her fingers laced through his.
“I’m sorry. I have to break my promise… Just this once.” He smiled, head lolling to one side. It was so very heavy, and the world was growing dark.
“It was worth it. To save you, it was worth it.” His breath rattled in his chest. He coughed weakly. “I think… I’ve always known that I would die for you.”
“I won’t let you!” Ayla cried, throwing her body over his with wracking sobs. She held on tight, as if her arms and her will alone could hold a soul in place.
But the cold was coming for him, and he needed to finish his goodbye.
“I love you, my sister, and I thank you for giving me somethingto live for. For finding me in this very room, so many years ago. For taking my hand and showing me the light. Every Goddesses damned day by your side…” His voice trailed off, eyes fluttering. “It was worth it—you made every moment worth it. I thank you for giving me the strength and the honor and the courage, a purpose worth dying for.”
Théo reached into his pocket, his muscles stiff and his movements tiresome. He drew out the letters he had written to them. He pressed the envelopes into Ayla’s outstretched fingers. The wetness of her tears dripped upon his face, running down his cheeks and mingling with his own.
“I can’t do this without you…” Every word was a knife in his heart.
“You can do… anything. You had everything you needed, all along. Right here.” Théo lifted his hand with great effort. His fingers traced the line of her collarbone, settling just over her heart. “Goodbye, Ayla. I hope we meet again.”
The chill was undeniable, the air frosting his every breath.
Théo closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the Gryffem had arrived. The winged creature stood sentry over his final moments, waiting patiently as he drew his final breaths. It was not the fearsome beast of the legends. It was beautiful, and its eyes were kind.
He couldn’t see Ayla anymore, but with his last conscious thought, he willed her to understand the depth of his love for her.
