The bodies closed in, forcing Arianna to slow. She bent down in passing to scoop a bloody blade from the ground, then let her magic fly, piercing every dark creature in the vicinity with a deadly blow.
The beasts fell, but more took their place, swarming like a never-ending torrent.
Arianna let her magic fan out, surrounding her body and allies. Even a second could make a difference. Let them see her. Let them believe.
The earth rose in a wave to her front, blocking out their enemies with a thick wall she prayed would never break.
She ran faster.
Ice rose up next, reinforcing said wall.
Arianna felt him before she saw him. Felt that strong pulse of magic as if it were surging through her own veins. A line of their warriors parted, each panting, each with weapons in their hands.
Then he was there.
Their eyes met.
Rion stared at her for a split second, his hair plastered to his face, mixing with sweat and blood. He was covered from head to toe in dirt and gore. But his eyes. They were unscathed, drinking her in as if she were an offering from the gods. As if she were his miracle.
He ran, half limping, sword loosely in his grip.
She’d never stopped.
Arianna leapt and Rion caught her, folding her into his arms. His nose buried into her hair and Rion let his blade fall to the ground, clutching her so tight she thought she might never draw breath again. Arianna had both arms around his neck, holding him just as tightly. The weight of the world, of the battle, of death melted from their bodies.
Home.
Safe.
He pulled back, wiping her hair away from her sweaty face. He met her gaze for half a second before crashing his lips into hers.
It was everything she’d ever dreamed of.
Everything her memories had reminded her she needed.
Here. Rion was here and safe and—she hadn’t realized the Fairy Folk were following until this moment. They fanned out, surrounding the pair. One chirped desperately, a sound she’d never heard them make. Arianna followed its spindly finger, looking up, up, up, toward the top of that thick dirt wall.
Sunlight glinted off metal. She blinked, then that metal was flying.
Sacrifice.
Her heart stuttered. Arianna lifted one arm, ready to block the arrow with her magic, but two more released. Then six.
Iron.
Iron arrows.
All aimed at Rion.
Fine.
Let it be her.
Arianna grabbed Rion’s shoulders and yanked him around. He stumbled, then the first sting of the metal pierced the center of her shoulder blades.
She gasped. Her magic vanished, snuffed out like a candle flame.
The next two hit, one to either side of the first.
