And that wasn’t something I was willing to allow.
Turning back to Val, I met her eyes and did my best to convey that I understood.
Pointing a finger at Robyn, I stated, “This is just the beginning,Thorntier.” Grabbing hold of my Right Hand, I added, “Let’s fly, Val.”
Tethering myself to a shadow nearby, I wielded us onto Ziana’s back before the Southern King could try to interfere. Materializing again, Val sitting before me in Ziana’s saddle, we took flight toward the battlefield.
Though as we headed forward to retreat, Icouldn’tignore the way Val stared backwards—right where Robyn stood—and where my twin had kneeled.
Chapter Forty
Iwas nothing, and it was bliss.
I had a vague recollection of Matea wielding us away—away from Byn, and away from Dimitri.
I could still feel the strain on myzirilium—the shocking amount of power I wasutilizing, of which Ididn’teven know I hadpossessed. Though after the darkness embraced me, my bodydidn’tfeel as though the very fibers of my being were ripping apart. It was a small, quick reprieve—before Matea let go of the shadows that had been holding us so gently.
And the agonizing pain returned, flooding each of my senses.
I fell to my knees instantly, unable to hold myself upright as I kept my fists clenched tight.
“Viva, let go!” Matea said, kneeling before me.
I managed to just barely shake my head in response.
“Dimitri is about to retreat, I promise. Letgo,” she tried again.
But for all I knew, that was what Dimi wanted us to think.
So instead, I held on.
I heard Matea curse before she wrapped her arms around my shaking body, holding me.
It was all she could offer, and Icouldn’thave been more appreciative.
Moments passed before the wordretreatspread across the battlefield like a wildfire.
And then, one by one, I could feel the weather wieldersI’dbeen grappling with slowly let go of their hold on theirzirilium. The storm overhead, which had been frozen in time, slowly dissipated as each wielder turned from their taskin order toretreat. With each wielder that stopped fighting my efforts, a small wave of relief was reintroduced to my body.With each wave, I became more and more aware of my body once again.
Now, I could feel the sweat coating my skin, the pressure and ache of my muscles, and the way I was shaking.
And as the last of the weather wielders let go, the holdI’dbeen keeping on myziriliumwent out like a doused torch.I collapsed into Matea’s embrace, breathing heavier than ever before.My hands felt numb from the strain of holding back so much power, and the reserveI’ddug myziriliumout of felt like a dried-up well in my core.
I was so focused on what I felt lacking, though, that I barely felt Byn approaching.
“Avi,” I heard. Then he was all I could focus on as his pride, hisawe,his amazement washed over me—throughme.
And he was feeling all of that aboutme,I realized with a start.
In the beat of a wing, I was passed from Matea’s arms to Byn’s as he murmured sweetencouragementsto me.
I may have been across the border fromCairnyland no longer welcome in Hollis, but in that moment—there in his arms—I knew I was home.
“Talk to me, my love. Are youalright?” Byn said, drawing back and cupping my face in his hands.
Peeling my eyes open, I was met with the forest green of his—and the immense concern and anxiety there.
Simply to ease his mind, I nodded, though when his browquirked, I could tell hedidn’tbelieve me.
