Thorn winced. “You have no idea what you’re doing. You fucking idiot.”
In spite of those harsh words, Thorn’s hold was tender. His expression kind and pain-filled. He may have been demonspawn, but he was a gentle being.
“I know what I’m doing. I’m letting the better soul live.” Feeling more at peace than she ever had, she felt the pain drain from her body.
And everything stopped.
Ariel floated up, and once again her wings flapped behind her.
With a deep breath, she stared down in amazement. Thorn still held her next to Valteri’s body.
The sight of her husband’s undeserved death filled her with an unexpected rage. Something that shouldn’t have been possible while she was in her Arel form.
Yet she felt it now. It was raw and palpable, and made her want to rip apart everyone who had a hand in it.
For the first time, she understood Ethbert’s fury.
And Mildred’s.
Their need for vengeance and for justice. It flowed through her and it took everything she had not to lash out at those around her.
But she wouldn’t be that person.
Valteri had taught her to be better than the abusers. He’d risen above, and she refused to dishonor so noble a heart.
So instead, she narrowed her gaze on Raziel.
“Don’t interfere, Ariel.”
Don’t interfere. He was as crazy as they’d accused her if he thought for one second that she was going to allow him to complete this mission.
“Sorry, brother. I must.”
Before Raziel could stop her, she broke his hold on Valteri.
Grabbing both of Valteri’s wrists, she pulled him away and turned with him.
In these forms, Valteri should have no memory of her. He shouldn’t be able to see anything more than where he was heading.
Yet he focused on her with utter clarity.
“Ariel?”
The tenderness in that one word wrung her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
She loved him more than she’d ever thought to love anyone. Touching his face, she grimaced at how cold his skin was. “I’m sorry, Valteri, but it’s better this way. Please forgive me.”
“Don’t you do it, Ariel!” Raziel shouted.
Ignoring him, she kissed Valteri’s lips one last time. “I love you, Valteri the Godless. Never forget me.” Then, she shoved his soul back into his body.
Valteri jerked awake, his entire body aching.
“’Tis a miracle!” Wace shouted, his youthful face beaming. “I thought you were dead, milord.”
Shaken and uncertain, Valteri ran his hand over his chest. It’d been a direct strike.
Straight through his heart. His mail was torn where the pitchfork had pierced his chest, but no other mark existed to prove he’d ever been wounded.
