And then heroared.
Like waves crashing against rocks, the sound went on and on and on.
Tinged with grief and despair and anguish, Ryker’s cry wrapped around Brynleigh’s heart and squeezed like a vise.
She had caused this. Once again, she’d brought him pain. How many more times would they hurt each other?
The ocean between them expanded until it seemed like it would swallow her whole. She would drown in her grief, forever lamenting the love they’d once shared.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before he fell silent, but eventually, his voice cracked and then stopped.
The silence was louder than his roar.
Ryker’s arms fell to his sides, and he drew his power towards him. The storm clouds receded, the lightning stopped, the mist disappeared, and the traces of magic vanished.
He straightened, throwing back his shoulders.
Brynleigh’s heart raced as Ryker turned. Even though there were no visible weapons on his person, she was sure he was armed.
His face was blank as if he hadn’t just been on the brink of losing control.
“Ready?” His voice was hoarse, and his eyes were dark with the same clouds that had been swirling overhead.
Apparently, they were going to ignore his storm. That worked for her—she had enough on her mind already.
Brynleigh checked the wall around her heart—it was still in one piece, thank Isvana—and nodded. “Yes. Let’s get this over with.”
Closing the distance between them, she stopped a few feet from the captain. The sooner she did this job, the better.
“Moving through shadows can make some people feel sick,” she warned. “Don’t let go.”
She wasn’t entirely certain what would happen to Ryker in the Void if she wasn’t holding onto him, but instinct told her it would be bad.
“I won’t.”
Ryker didn’t move, though.
Awkward. This was so gods-damned awkward.
Wishing for the ease that had existed between them during the Choosing, Brynleigh raised her hand.
“We… We have to be touching.” She swallowed past the dryness that had suddenly appeared in her throat. “For this to work.”
His gaze dropped to her outstretched hand, and he clenched his jaw.
Had he not known contact was required?
Brynleigh had realized it the moment he declared he was coming with her.
They hadn’t touched yet. Not really.
She could still remember the world-altering impact of their first touch, and she was equally excited and petrified to see if that spark remained between them after… everything.
Ryker inhaled, and his face hardened as though he was preparing himself. After several long moments, he finally moved.
It seemed to take him ages to cross the divide between them and put his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together.
Brynleigh’s heart seized at the familiarity of the gesture. Ryker was warm, whereas she was cold. Calloused where she was soft. His hand enveloped hers, and…