Everything but this man I loved. The sister I loved. And the friends who had become my family.
Tears streaked down my cheeks. The idea of going back to that realm of pain made me shake. I wanted this better world.
“I need you, love.” He roughly cupped my cheek. “I would destroy every star in the sky just to look into your eyes one last time.”
“You’re looking into them right now.”
“Our dreams have always felt real, but they’re nothing more than a figment of our imaginations. You—therealyou—belongs in the world with me. You are my wife, my mate, my love. My soul is not complete without you.”
I closed my eyes and leaned against him. If I asked to stay here, I knew he would walk out of my dreams and leave me in peace. It would kill him to do it, but he would. And I would spend the rest of my days wandering the mists, the fields, and the trees. I wouldn’t have to fight anymore.
The gods had won. We’d failed to defeat them. Now, they would unleash their rage upon the world.
But I would never leave him, especially to face the end of everything on his own. I’d made a promise.
I pressed my hand against his thundering heart. “Open your eyes. I’m coming back.”
* * *
Iblinked. Everything was hazy and dark. A small hand gripped mine as gasps filled the air.
“Oh, Tessa,” my sister sobbed. She pressed her lips against my cheek, and her wet tears rained on my skin. “Thank the light.”
My neck felt like it was on fire. Wheezing, I lifted my free hand to my throat and felt a wet cloth. Another flash of pain tore through me. I flinched.
“It’s all right, love,” Kalen said softly from somewhere nearby.
“Tessa, I’m so sorry. This was all my fault,” Nellie whispered, dropping her head onto my chest. I stroked her hair, though I didn’t have the strength to answer.
“Shh,” was all I could manage.
She held me like that for a long time. It could have been hours or days for all I knew. But eventually, she pulled back and said, “I love you. You have no idea how happy I am you’re here.”
I squeezed her hand.
“Come on, Nellie,” Toryn said gently. “You need to lie down. This has taken a lot out of you.” A pause. “You’ve done so well.”
I squinted against the pounding in my head to watch my sister stumble out of the room. Kalen stood beside me. I reached for him. When he took my offered hand, I closed my eyes. His calloused palm brushed against mine as he settled on the bed beside me.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured.
And then I slept again.
* * *
The next time I woke, I no longer felt as if I’d been carved into pieces, which was a start. My neck still throbbed, and I had the worst headache of my life, but opening my eyes didn’t hurt anymore. Kalen was still here. I didn’t think he’d left my side, but he was gazing at a spot beside the bed and hadn’t noticed me wake. He’d seen the raven drawing, then.
I took a moment to look at him, to memorize each curve of his face. I traced the line of his lips with my mind, and I committed the pointed tips of his ears to memory. No matter what happened next, no matter what horrors we faced, I hoped I could carry him with me to the next life, even if he was nothing more than a painting in my mind.
I wanted to draw him in the stars.
Sensing my attention on him, he looked down. He smiled, though his eyes still looked haunted. “Feeling better?”
“A bit,” I said.
“You can speak.” He sat up a little straighter. “Should we…can I…?”
“Look at my wound?” I asked him, tenderly touching the edge of the cloth someone had wrapped around my neck. I guessed that someone had been him.
