He sucked in a pained breath. “I’m well aware of who she drains.”
My heart shattered.
“My love.” I sighed, tucking a strand of his hair behind his pointed ear. “You must fight back. You know and see too much to allow this to continue.” I bent to gently kiss the unique patch of freckles in the shape of acrescent moon at the nape of his neck, hidden beneath his mesh of hair.
“I’ve stayed alive.”
“But you’ve said it yourself, existing is not living.” I paused as he looked up at me with tears in his eyes. “Fight. You must fight!”
“On one condition,” he countered with an even tone. “You… must fight as well, Stark. Fight to make it out alive and return to me.”
“It’s a bargain.”
I gave him a curt nod as I took one step back. Forcing myself to place distance between us, or else, I might never let him go. Despite my reservations, I knew this wasn’t goodbye. Even if I died in the chasm below the palace, a piece of me would always remain with him.
I silently prayed the Gods would allow me to watch over him. To wait for him until our time together could finally begin. In this life or the next.
“I have to go,” I said with a quivering voice, desperately reaching out to pull him toward me to kiss him, one last time. Savoring every ounce of him I could.
“I promise to fight, Stark,” he said as I severed our kiss and forced myself to turn away. “For you.Always, for you.”
“I know you will,” I answered, my heart shattering as I marched toward my fate.
Chapter One
Skylar Cathal
Time was never an ally.
After healing the wounded and lending aid where I could, I retreated to the library in desperate need of solitude and rest.
The second I opened the doors leading to Daxton’s personal collection, my rage morphed into a hollowed depth of sorrow that swallowed me whole. My footsteps heaved as I mustered my remaining threads of strength to scale the familiar steps I once cherished, seeking the chaise on the second floor, tucked away near the corner window.
The others tried to follow me, but Idris wisely stood in their path, telling them to give me a minute alone. The warning glare I caught from Castor before I disappeared served as a stark reminder of the true cost of these fleeting moments. His expression silently relayed what we dared not speak aloud.
Daxton was gone.
Imprisoned in a living state of his nightmares, held hostage under Queen Minaeve until I retrieved the third key and unlocked the location of the Heart of Valdor.Daxton was a pawn in her scheme to ensure my return, but this was all part of his plan.
I collapsed onto the chaise, burying my face in the pillows, desperate to hide my falling tears. I knew I had to pull myself together, but for a moment, I allowed myself to feel the chasm of pain ripping through my chest.
I wouldneverhave enough time with Daxton.
“I will find you,” I vowed to the cherished books adorning the library’s collection, refusing to acknowledge an alternative fate.
A wave of stubborn determination settled in my chest as my animal sparked to life. I had to be strong. Crying about losing Daxton would not bring him back. I lifted my face from the pillow and closed my eyes, inhaling a deep breath of pine and mountain air, recognizing the scent of my mate that lingered in every corner of this palace, with the strongest essence of him emanating from this spot.
I recalled the nights we shared here. Before he confessed our bond, before I mustered the courage to tell him I loved him. He held me through my restless nights after the labyrinth, reassuring me with silent gestures of strength and comfort that I was safe and never alone.
“Skylar.” Castor’s voice crept through the outskirts of my thoughts. “Do you—”
“Tell me again,” I said quickly. “Tell me the plan again. I… I... need you to tell me.” I couldn’t bear to look at him, keeping my eyes shut and clinging to the vivid memories of Daxton that grounded me like a lifeline.
Castor sighed, unhappy with my request. Even though he didn’t admit it aloud, I knew his own guilt about allowing Daxton to be captured by Minaeve was eating him alive. “From the beginning, I assume?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t listen carefully enough the first time?”
