and send him flying. It's as if everything's moving in slow motion. The guards fight as Kane attempts to push through them, yelling my name. My eyes stay on Drogaem, my footsteps are careful and slow. I grip the handle of my dagger tightly and stand before him.

"Your reign of terror is over. You will never rule these lands or any other. I wish I could say I was sending you to hell, but where you're going is a void so deep and dark that your existence will cease."

I put one hand on his shoulder and hold the dagger up. His eyes shift to mine as I slam the blade down into his chest, sending rays of energy bursting everywhere. A wall of light radiates from us, spiraling outward and knocking everyone to the floor. I step back, watching Drogaem's face with pleasure as he gasps for his last breath of air.

A slight groan comes from him, and he forces his bloody lips into a smile. "I'll see you there."

With that, he dies.

I stand there a moment, dizziness swirling through my head. The energy within me begins to deplete, and I wonder what he means by what he said.

I turn to look at the soldiers who are picking themselves up from the ground, Drogaem's Huntsmen dropping their swords in surrender. Kane pushes through, stumbling forward but stopping in his tracks. I smile at him, and he smiles at me, but his look quickly fades, and his eyes drop to my stomach.

I feel the pressure in my chest increase, and I slowly look down, finding Drogaem's sword plunged through my stomach. It's strange. There's a shimmer of my magic flowing around the handle, and I cannot feel the pain that should be radiating through me. I can taste the metallic blood in my mouth, and I watch as a drop falls to the stone floors.

I grip the handle of the sword and slowly pull it out, feeling the pain rush straight to me. My hand releases it, and it bounces across the floor as my knees weaken. I can see nothing but Kane's face, everything else is blurry. He runs toward me, catching me just as my legs give out. He falls to the floor with me, cradling me in his lap.

I see despair and sadness in Kane I've never seen before. I reach up, running my bloody fingers across his cheek. A tear rolls from the corner of my eye down my face, and I muster a smile.

"We did it."

Chapter 24

Kane

"Briar," I whisper as her hand falls to her side. "Stay with me. I'll help you. You can't leave me. We've just begun."

I'm helpless.

I press my hand over the wound, and I can feel the warmth of her blood in my lap. I look up at my mother, pleading in my eyes. "Help her. Save her."

Desona looks uncomfortable, the remnants of the fight across her cheeks. She shakes her head. "Kane, let mortals die as they are supposed to. It's a natural thing. They are not meant to live forever. Briar has done a valiant and brave thing, and it is in her fate to die."

"No!" I growl, my voice echoing through the silent room. "She is not just a human. She is the descendent of Lux. She is my wife. Please. You've never looked out for me the way you should have. This is your chance. The humans see you as a true Goddess of love and light. Don't let them be mistaken."

Her eyes narrow, and she stares at me, watching the agony writhe on my face. Briar coughs, and I look down at her. She smiles at me, blood smeared across her chin. "It's okay. I…it's all okay. I have released you…the bond that you had with me. You…will go on. I love you…"

Her voice lowers to a whisper, and her eyes shift up to the ceiling, slowly closing. Desona drops to her knees and immediately puts out her hands, searching for Briar's life force. "I'm sorry, Kane, I didn't realize…" She looks up at me. "I didn't understand your despair until this moment."

I watch her, my hand still pressed against Briar's wound as she runs her hands up and down, trying to help her. After several moments though, her face curls and her hands stop. I know what this means. I shake my head, pushing my mother away. "No. This is not her end."

I lean down toward Briar's face, brushing my nose over hers. Her skin grows cold, and no breath pumps from her chest. I grip onto her and pull her body up to mine, hugging it tightly against me. I shake my head in agony, feeling as if something has burrowed a hole in my soul. "No! No! Briar, please!"

The entirety of the room stands still, and my mother stands up, wrapping her arms around her waist. They watch me in agony, shaking my bride, trying to get her to wake.

I will not accept this.

This is not her end.

"Kane," Aiden says quietly. "She's gone. But you are still here, and your kingdom is still here."

I sniff, standing and looking out at the soldiers staring back at me. "My kingdom is still here because of her. This human that everyone looks down on, she gave her life for all of you." I gaze down at her body and shake my head. "No. I will take her to the Blood Well. It has revived powerful beings in the past."

Reaching down, I scoop her into my arms and walk swiftly through the crowd of soldiers who part as I approach. Aiden hurries after me. "Kane, the Blood Well hasn't brought anyone back for hundreds of years, and there are repercussions."

"I don't care! I will risk anything for her."

I continue to walk, leaving behind the masses, Willem's body, and even Aiden who watches me leave. I head out of the castle and down the steps. The Blood Well hasn't been opened in a very long time, but I

Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

0

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату