From the moment they realized a sacrifice was necessary, he knew it would be him. It was never a question. He would offer his life as he had already offered every other part of himself, and he would do so gladly. Death did not frighten him. What did terrify him was how losing her daughter would extinguish the very flame that made Alissa the woman he adored. If givinghis life could ensure her happiness, if it could prevent her from surrendering to life’s tragedies, then so be it.
From the way his pupils darted frantically, scanning her face, Alissa knew his mind was racing a million miles an hour. She almost begged him to share the thoughts he kept so hidden, but the tenderness with which he pulled her onto his lap and the smile that appeared on his lips stole every word from her.
“Because I love you, Alissa.”
It took him a moment to realize her lips moved against his once again. This kiss was nothing like the gentle ones they had shared before. This time, she kissed him passionately, deeply like her life depended on it, as if she would lose him, and he reciprocated it with the same intensity—because she would indeed. Their tears blended, and their hearts beat in the same racing pace.
She had been afraid of this moment when Eldric would voice the fear that had been eating at her heart since leaving Golheim. It was not fair that to save Dhalia, the one she had crossed the walls of Bryniard for and been through hell to save, she would have to kill the man who had shown her what true love felt like. Alissa feared that losing anyone else would be the beginning of a path where she would unavoidably lose herself in the end.
How many people she loved would be fated to die in her hands?
7 DAYS UNTIL DHALIA’S DEATH DATE.
“I love watching you summon your magic,” Eldric said, the corner of his lips turned up a little. “You look like a goddess.”
Alissa turned around to look at him, and her cheeks blushed. How long had he been watching her?
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not.” He walked toward her, his fingers touching her hips. “The day you rescued me in Golheim… I have never seen anything like that, Alissa.” Eldric’s gaze moved up, recollecting the events of that night. “Even at that moment when I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating, I couldn’t believe what I saw.” He took a deep breath. “I wish you could see how incredible you were, Alissa. How incredible you are.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him, their eyes met, and all she saw there was love. Alissa had never believed she was worthy of a love so fierce. “Don’t say that, you’ll make me cry again.”
“I’m sorry, I needed you to know before—” Eldric shook his head, clearing his throat to change the subject. “How is practice going?”
“Well, I feel more attuned to the roots of the power now, I barely feel the pain anymore, and it answers to my call almost instinctively.” She bit her lower lip. “I even dare say I could hold more than one person with the magic grip at the same time now.”
Eldric raised his eyebrows. “That’s great! Do you think you had enough practice to end the curse?”
Although exhausted, Alissa had taken every opportunity she could get in their tight schedule to return to Bryniard to improve her abilities. She sacrificed her sleep too many times for that purpose. They were only a week away from Bryniard, but with no means to test the spell, she could only hope that when the time came, her magic wouldn’t let her down.
“Only time will tell. I’ve memorized the words to break the curse and felt my magic react to them, but there’s no way to know if it would work. Not until we reach Dhalia.”
Eldric nodded, kissing the top of her head. Alissa welcomed the warmth of his embrace as he held her close. Being there with him brought to the surface every fear she carried. “I’m worried, Eldric.”
“Don’t be scared, darling. You must believe in yourself just as I believe in you. You will end this curse, I am sure of it!”
She pulled away a little so their gazes met. “It’s not just that. I expected the Iron Claws to be hunting us down across the country. I mean… they know we have escaped, Eldric. How is it that we have come so close to Bryniard without anyone crossing our path?”
A muscle in Eldric’s jaw twitched, and from this reaction, Alissa knew this had been on his mind, too. The Iron Claws wouldn’t simply forget about them and let go of the biggest threat they had ever faced; something was going on.
“I know. I can’t pull my head around it either.” His fingers tightened around her waist. Noticing her apprehension, Eldric felt the need to soothe some of her concerns. “Maybe we should be grateful for now, for having had a peaceful return. We’ve had enough obstacles as it is.”
A sad smile appeared on her lips. “Maybe you’re right.”
“One way or another, it’s almost over,” he murmured.
Alissa didn’t say anything else. Knowing the end was coming, no matter what it would be, made her stomach turn, and her chest tightened. Instead, she pulled him closer, her head resting on his chest, finding her calm in his racing heartbeat.
Chapter 38
The Final Countdown
Thirty hours separated Alissa and Eldric from Bryniard.
Thirty-one hours separated Dhalia from death.
They had been able to shorten the one-week gap they had when leaving the capital by making very few stops along the way to rest. Luckily, they could also save the time they would have spent hunting now that Alissa could fabricate flesh from her own hands. Exhaustion was taking a toll on them, and even with all their effort, they still ran against the clock.