When Penelope released her, Orianna completed the trek, crossing the threshold into the room. Obsidian willed the door closed with his mind, then stepped back in front of it where he would remain for the entirety of the ritual. His female stood at his side, showing her support as well.
There was a flutter of sound as all wings expanded, spreading wide to shield the wall at their back, forming a solid circle around the space. Obsidian took Penelope’s hand in his, gave it a gentle squeeze.
She returned the gesture and he knew in that moment that, despite the horror of the act, it was worth it in the end. Orianna would be better off when it was completed. The same would be the case for Eclipse.
Thanks be to God.
Eclipse felt the shift in the airwhen Orianna stepped into the mating chamber. Very similar to the shift the night he’d sensed her at the Dungeon. Seemed so long ago and, at the same time, like just yesterday.
“Eclipse?”
It took effort, but he forced himself to his feet, his legs not nearly as strong as he’d hoped they would be. He’d long ago lost sensation in his knees as he’d remained on that hard stone floor, trying to come to terms with what he had to do. He was still no closer to being okay with it than he had been when he’d first learned of the ritual long ago. If it hadn’t been for theamnigh, and the pain he knew Orianna was in, Eclipse would’ve put it off for another month, or ten. Perhaps indefinitely. This was the absolute last place he wanted to be.
Soft hands curled over his cheeks, and he forced his eyes open, seeing Orianna for the first time since Penelope had sent him out of their room so she could tend to his female.
Hisamsouelotlooked absolutely stunning in the pale blue gown that covered her, the wide sleeves bunched up at her elbows as she kept her hands on his face. Her hair had been pulled up into some fancy do on top of her head. It was the first time he’d seen her with her hair up, and he found he liked it. Then again, she could’ve cut it all off and he would’ve been fine with that, too. Her beautiful visage was only the packaging; it was her inner strength that he had fallen in love with.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the small table and the two items resting atop it: the cheap alarm clock—the hands telling him they had roughly five minutes—and theJagdkommando dagger, the sharp blades catching the light. A shudder ran through him at the thought of what he had to do with that wicked sharp blade.
“It’s going to be okay,” Orianna said softly. “I’ve seen it, Eclipse.”
She’d seen herself lying on the cold floor, his body covering hers. But he knew she hadn’t seen him jamming that blade into her heart, nor had she felt the pain that would associate with a mortal wound.
The thought had him stumbling back, his throat closing as emotion threatened to take him to the floor. How could he possibly do this? Eclipse peered down at his hands, which were shaking so hard he wasn’t sure he could hold the dagger. How could they cause her pain? It was his ultimate vow to never forsake her, to always protect her. Yet he was the one who would end her life? Fucking irony, that was.
“I can’t,” he muttered, eyes closing. “Orianna. I don’t know how.”
Those soft hands were strong when they gripped his wrists, jerking him to attention. He forced his eyes open, met her pale blue ones.
“I love you,sezari,” he rasped, the words barely passing through to his lips. “I don’t know how to do this.”
“Yes, you do.” She stepped closer. “I love you, too, Eclipse. We’re stronger together. I know that, you know that.”
How could she be so fucking calm about this? So fucking stoic? In less than four minutes, she was going to die. He was going to plunge that silver dagger into her chest and stop her human heart. He would much rather the wound be inflicted upon him. He could handle that sort of agony. This … thinking about it was too much.
Sacrifice.
The word sounded in his head.
The ultimate sacrifice, warrior. It’s what’s required.
Michael.
The archangel was in his head and those words were oddly … soothing.
Know I’ll be here with her when you can’t be. She’ll be kept safe until she’s returned to you. And when she does, she’ll be yours forever.
He had never known Michael as a gentlemale. No, he was more of a smart-ass, an instigator.
Trust in your faith, warrior. Trust in your love.
Eclipse forced his eyes open. The hands on the clock were a minute out from where they would forever stop for Orianna’s human existence. It was now or never. With strength he hadn’t expected, Eclipse moved toward the dagger. He gripped it in his palm, shielding it behind his back because, fuck, no reason she should have to look at it too closely.
“Come here,sezari.”
Orianna came to him without hesitance, as though she was okay with this. He wasn’t sure he understood how that was even possible, but he was out of time for questioning it.
“I trust you, Eclipse. And I have faith in you and Him. If this wasn’t where I was meant to be, I wouldn’t be here.”
