‘Maybe we can find a way around it,’Yanric said.‘Maybe he didn’t see the whole picture.’
‘He said I died, with no second life to come back with. That’s pretty much a whole picture.’
Yanric was silent after that.
‘Yan, this is our secret to bear. You can’t tell anyone. Not my father, not Eden, no one. There’s no point in stealing their happiness if it’s inevitable.’
For the first time, I saw tears well in Yanric’s little black beady eyes.
‘Okay, Fallon. Our secret,’he confirmed.
I nodded. We would let our loved ones live whatever time we had left together in happiness. It was a heavy secret to carry, but one I would for everyone’s sake. Even if it crushed me, evenif this weight that suddenly sat on my heart never left. The last thing I needed after being the cursed girl my whole life was people looking at me with pity because I had an expiration date drawing near.
I saw Ayden pacing the front gate with Eden. I waved to them, but it didn’t look like they could see me.
“Did you put the shield back up?” I asked.
He nodded. “Many fae would seek to capture an Ealdor and exploit their magic.”
Oh. That was awful. When we reached the gate, the man turned to me and pulled out a small vial with a golden cap. Inside was a shimmering purple fluid. “This is a rare gift from Ealdor Emmeric. He spent weeks making it in anticipation of your arrival.”
My eyebrows shot up. He knew I was coming for weeks? Possibly before I even discovered my power and went to The Gilded City. The thought was unnerving.
“What is it?” I took the vial and looked it over more closely.
The man gave me a little smile. “For about five minutes, it will suspend your curse, allowing you to touch and hug those you love without pain.”
A sob formed in my throat as I clutched the vial tighter.
“He only wished he was able to make one that was more permanent.”
I nodded, clutching the vial to my chest and treasuring it. “It’s perfect.”
I stowed it away safely in my pocket and bid him farewell. The gates opened as the shield parted, and I stepped through them. Ayden and Eden immediately rushed up to me.
“Are you okay?”
“What happened?”
I nodded. “I’m fine. I got the help I needed. I know how to save Ariyon.”
Ayden beamed. “That’s great news!”
We set up camp outside the gates. We were all exhausted and needed some proper rest before beginning the travel home.
After lighting a fire, Eden snuggled close to me, careful not to touch me but leaning against my clothed arm and leg.
“You’ve been unusually quiet. What happened in there?” she asked.
I forced a smile on my face. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
She nodded. “You’re a bad liar, Fallon, but that’s okay. I still love you.”
Ayden and Hayes entertained us that night with stories about their childhood, and when I finally fell asleep, my thoughts were a jumbled mess.
Ariyon was betrothed to Blair.
I was going to die.
