“I am so sorry, Aizel. I immediately started back toward the mountains, but General Gautho accosted me a few hours after we separated. Knowing now that he was on Gareth’s side in all this, he was probably tracking us to make sure that everything went according to their plan. He dragged me back as a prisoner. I promise.”
“I thought you’d betrayed me.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“I will never betray you,” he promised. He wanted to pull her into a hug, to reassure her that he would always be there for her. But this was not the right moment.
Her eyes searched his.
“I promise,” he said.
Her face relaxed. “I want to believe you.”
“Is it really that horrible?” he asked.
“What?”
“The gray uniform?” He wanted to make her smile.
“Yes!” Her face lit up. “It’s awful. It makes you all stiff and overbearing.”
“I’ve always hated that thing and I’m so glad someone finally agrees with me.” He smiled up at her beautiful face. “You’re positive I’m not dead?”
“No, silly, you’re not dead.” Her beautiful red hair was all braided up. It fell over her shoulder and dangled in front of his face. “Although you should be. And I’m so happy that you’re not that I could kiss you.”
“Do,” Erich responded instantly. Although if she was volunteering to kiss him, maybe he was dreaming.
Aizel leaned over him, her braid brushing his cheek as she drew nearer. Then, her lips pressed against his. They were softer than he’d ever imagined and his whole body jumped to life.
He was most definitely alive and awake.
She lifted her head, a small smile dancing in her green eyes.
Reaching his hands up, Erich slipped them behind her neck and gently nudged her face back toward his.
She laughed and kissed him again.
A content sigh escaped Erich’s mouth when she finally pulled away. As he pushed himself up from the ground, the whole world shifted into place below him. “I’m dead,” he announced. “I’m dead. I’m dead. I’m dead.”
“You saved my sister’s life,” Aizel said. “So, I returned the favor by saving yours. Again.”
“Your sister?” Erich asked, looking around for the little Majis girl with brown hair. “That was your sister?”
“Celesta,” Aizel said, moving her hands in an arc over her head as she spoke.
“Where is she?” Erich asked, suddenly alarmed. They were in a small pocket of the mountainous forest and it was quite empty. “Is she alright? Did she find safety?”
“Yes,” Aizel reached her hands out toward him. “Thanks to you. And me. And Robin.”
“You found Robin of Lockwood?” Erich looked around the empty clearing once more.
Aizel nodded. “She’ll be here shortly. Hopefully. Peter and Celesta went to watch for her.” Aizel glanced to her right, worry creeping into her face.
Erich grabbed her extended hands with one of his and reached up to tentatively stroke her cheek with the other. His heart fell as he recalled the last time he had seen her. He’d thrown himself at the hooded men who were hurting her with Quotidian magic, but the king’s guards had removed him from the room. “Are you alright?”
The smile she gave him was more brilliant than her sparkling hair. “Yes. I used my magic to make hundreds of people fall asleep all at once. I love using my voice and I’m never going to let anyone silence me again. Celesta is safe, for now, and I’ll never leave her side again. And you kept your word. Although... why did you come back to the marble palace?”
“I was dragged back. I promise you. I ran into my general and he was in on Gareth’s plan. I never once doubted you.” He gazed at her with all the sincerity in his heart.
“I believe you.” She squeezed his hand.
