Chapter 27
Aimee
Theclimbbacktothe surface was much shorter and completely uneventful. We walked in tense silence, Killian glancing over his shoulder at me from time to time, as if to reassure himself that I would not vanish from his grasp.
What I said inside the sanctuary must have rattled him. Regret coats my tongue like a heavy layer of lead. It was not my intention to doubt his affections, to doubtus.But the idea of a fated soulmate, the lack of choice in who you fall for, does not sit well with me. I need to know my choices are my own, and not predetermined by who we were in our previous lives.
Who am I kidding, though? It wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. Even if Ereshkygall’s answer would have been different, he’s too ingrained in every fiber of my being, nestled too deep in the crevices of my soul, for it to matter.
I love him. It’s as simple as that.
He glances back at me again, just as the blinding light of the outside world overwhelms us, and the silence of the tunnels shatters in the raging blizzard.
“I’m right here, Killian. I’ll always be,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips as I reach for his stiff hand and wrap it in my warmth. His rigid posture slackens as he releases a breath Gods know for how long he was holding in.
There are no Gods. The realization hits me hard once again; the thought playing loops in my head since Ereshkygall’s admission. All this time I held a burning grudge against the deities, blaming their lack of concern for my many misfortunes. The truth was starker than that.
It wasn’t that they didn’t care about their subjects. They just were not real.
Another lie thrust upon us by those in power as a means to retain their positions at whatever cost. Through the blood, sweat, and tears of others. Never their own.
This realm has suffered for far too long. This has become about much more than defeating my sister. My tormentor.
Losing was never an option, but even less so now.
My steps falter just before stepping out of the mouth of the cave, as K’haram’s presence embraces me with familiarity.
My bonded.
Not my ancestor’s.
Mine.
“Omri.”His voice washes over me with longing and regret, and I finally understand the calling of my soul.
The final puzzle piece is in place, and it paints a devastating picture.
“So many secrets, K’haram.”
“My insides corroded from the truth withheld, Omri. A physical ache I could not extinguish, but the oath I made to you as Aeon was above my will.”
“I understand, dear friend,”I answer soothingly. “It’s time you released that guilt you’re carrying around like a festering wound.”
“Only fixing what was broken will redeem my worth, Omri. I have failed you, and that is the worst offence my kind can garner.”
“You did what was asked of you, for better or worse. The burden of the outcome is not upon you, K’haram. We all failed Imiryion, but we were given a second chance.”
“Mmm,”his grave voice rumbles through my head. “I shall not squander this opportunity, my Omri. I vow to you this.”
Killian’s gentle grasp on my waist pulls me out of my mind, and I feel the connection fading as I tell my dragon to wait for us to return to the castle. Preparations are due for the humans’ arrival in Wrahta, and we can’t lose any more time.
“Where did you go, umbra?” Killian asks, adjusting my leathers to keep the frigid air from seeping into my bones. Without the discarded cape, the blizzard’s bite threatens to engulf me in numbness.
“Spoke to K’haram.”
“You know, I’m almost jealous of the lizard for having conversations with you I’m not privy to,” he chuckles wholeheartedly.
“Killian!” I admonish him, but I can’t help the smile forming on my lips.
