Because the one thing more precious to him than breath—
Rion choked and crushed her body closer.
Arianna wasn't moving.
The very center of his universe wasn't breathing.
They’d finally gotten their bond. She’d smiled at him again. She’d run into his arms, and hope had flooded his entire body. He could have conquered universes.
But now—now—
Rion swallowed hard. He just held her, one hand over the many gushing wounds.
She couldn’t tell him that everything would be okay.
She couldn’t tell him they’d survive.
His body shook, noises escaping that he couldn’t restrain.
He needed her. Her bright spirit. Her unfailing heart. Arianna was the only thing that kept the darkness at bay. She was the only one who’d reached through his shadows and shown him life could be more.
Rion glanced down at her face and the dirt smearing it. She was still soaked from the pool in the forest. Rion wondered if she’d run the whole way. He knew she had. He’d felt everything she’d shoved down their bond.
She was his.
She was gone.
The Dark Fae growled behind them, but Rion couldn’t bring himself to care. In seconds, they’d tear him from the world, then he’d spend eternity without the other piece of his soul.
The world fell silent.
Brightened.
Maybe he was already dead.
Maybe the gods were giving him one final moment to see her before hell reached up to drag him beneath the surface.
Rion braced for the agony of the snapping bond. Any moment now he’d feel that overwhelming pain. It was worse than anything he’d experienced physically.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered to her, then let his body collapse over hers. They’d rip him to shreds first.
“A king’s place is not on his knees.” Rion jerked upright at the sound of a familiar ethereal voice. It carried a melodic note to its tone rather than the distant echo he’d experienced before, but still—
“Who are you?”
Chapter Fifty
Talon
Talon wouldn’t let them fall. He couldn’t. He’d shatter before he let anyone touch Arianna or Rion.
And judging from her fury, Raevina felt the same.
The female’s fire had shifted, burning hotter now. It was the first time he’d seen her mask break on the field. Raevina longed to restore her family’s lost honor. With Arianna gone—
Talon gritted his teeth against the heartbreaking truth. He couldn’t look at them, he couldn’t bear it, but he could stand. He could fight until his body no longer drew breath.
Raevina’s knee twisted at an awkward angle and she hit the ground. Talon pivoted, launching a spear of ice straight through the throat of the Dark Fae looming over her. He grabbed her arm, yanking Raevina to her feet. She pressed her back to his, chest heaving.
