The scorned, p.21
The Scorned, page 21
The two men with Orion tended to the woman, hauling her up to her feet and pulling her away from the situation. Daelon and Cyrus fought in the sand, and I hurried over to them.
“Cyrus, stop,” I said. “He didn’t know what he was doing. It’s the poison,” I explained to all the witches standing there. This wasn’t Daelon; they had to understand that.
There was nothing but pure venom in Daelon’s eyes as Cyrus tried to wrestle him still. Cyrus took a punch, and Daelon was able to wriggle free and stand. He went to kick Cyrus in the ribs, and I pushed him backward with a simple flick of my hand.
Daelon’s head spun toward me. A vein in his forehead bulged and his arm muscles flexed. “You think you two are being sneaky? The whole island has seen you together, when you’re supposedly meditating for my cure,” he spat, his hands fisting at his sides. Paranoia bled through his shield, not the playful possessiveness I was accustomed to. This was far darker. “I’ve seen all kinds of things.” He pointed between me and Cyrus.
I took a step toward him, and Cyrus got to his feet. “He’s been training me in self-defense and hand-to-hand combat,” I quickly explained. “You needed your strength for training,” I said softly. “I also wanted to avoid something like this. Because you’re not yourself right now.”
Daelon fumed, confusion in his features for a moment as he looked all around. Orion had now slowly moved closer to us, assessing the situation. Cyrus had inched closer to Daelon. He was surrounded, and by the looks of it, he was reacting like a caged animal. I needed to calm him down and get him away from everyone else. After everything he’d done for this revolution, he didn’t deserve to have his image tarnished by Lucius’s nasty curse.
“Come on, Daelon. Let’s go get something to eat,” I tried. I steadied my breathing and stepped toward him.
“Áine, wait,” Cyrus said, and Daelon whipped his head around toward his voice. I silently cursed Cyrus for speaking. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“What do you mean, is she okay?” Daelon snapped, his voice too steady, too precise. Like a weapon raised to strike.
“Look, mate, you almost just killed someone. And if given the opportunity, you might’ve killed me too. So forgive me for making sure you aren’t going to take your rage out on her,” Cyrus said, anger spilling into his own voice.
Daelon looked away from Cyrus and back toward me, his face falling as the words penetrated through the madness of the poison. “I would never hurt Áine,” he said, and my heart broke.
I closed the distance between us and reached for him, but he pulled out of my grasp and started off toward Cyrus again. I cursed, trying to put myself in between the two men.
“Please stop, Daelon,” I begged. “Please.”
“I don’t want to fight you,” Cyrus said. Sweat beaded his forehead.
“Yes, you do. You’ve wanted to fight me since I first arrived. I think you were hoping Áine would show up alone, just like you’d found her in the castle. I think you’ve been trying to replace me ever since.” The soul bond flooded emotion and chaos that mixed with the black ice of poison in a cyclone of intensity. “I’m not even gone yet,” Daelon said, rawness crackling in his voice.
Those words shattered me.
I planted myself right in front of him, reaching for his arms even as he refused to look at me and struggled out of my hold. “Daelon, no one is going to replace you, damnit.”
He finally looked at me. Then something strange passed through his features, his eyes going vacant as he clutched my shoulders. Hard.
Before I’d even uttered an ow, Cyrus had him on the ground again and Orion was by my side. But then Daelon began to shake, a violent tremor rippling through his body.
He hadn’t grabbed me to hurt me. He’d grabbed me for stability.
“He’s seizing,” I said, my voice high and foreign to my own ears. “Get off of him, Cyrus.”
Cyrus moved away, and I hurried to Daelon’s side. I held his hand in mine as he trembled and writhed uncontrollably.
We were supposed to have more time, I said to Cyrus telepathically as panic sent my nervous system into overdrive. I’m nowhere near ready.
You are, Cyrus said. Because you have to be.
As Daelon stilled, Orion suddenly dropped to his knees, his eyes going white for a moment before shifting back to warm green. Tears poured down his face as he looked at me, reaching for my shoulder as he bowed his head.
“No, no,” he said. “I can’t bear for you to feel this pain. This grief.”
Wait. Grief? What did it mean that Orion was prophesying future grief if Lucius was going to save Daelon’s life?
We have to leave. Tonight, I hurried into Cyrus’s mind. It’ll all just have to be enough.
Orion clutched his own heart. “There is so much pain awaiting you, and I don’t know how to stop it,” he said.
“I’m going to be okay, Orion,” I said, reaching for his hand as he met my eyes. “I can handle it. I’m strong like you. No matter how dark things get, I will always find my way back to the light. You have to believe that, okay?”
He let out a long breath, and I could tell he’d partially shut off the psychic channel. “I’m sorry she scared you, Áine. The display of magick in the ocean was as much of a spiritual experience for some of my people as it was a massive trigger. She had a lapse, but she’ll get back on track. I’m so sorry. I never wanted you to feel unsafe around any of us.”
I shook my head. “Don’t worry about that, just promise me that you believe that I can survive the pain you just saw. No matter what I have to go through, promise me you will be there on the other side to help me back to who I am. I’m going to need you to do that for me, okay?”
Orion couldn’t relapse when I left. He had to stay strong. I didn’t know what effect my leaving would have on him or his people. I had to add it to the very long list of consequences and collateral.
“I promise,” he said. “I told you I would never leave you again. I will always be here, whatever you need.” He studied me carefully. “Is there something else…”
“Áine?” Daelon mumbled.
My eyes quickly darted to Daelon’s, and all other thoughts left my mind. “You just had a seizure. How are you feeling?”
“I don’t remember it.” He rubbed his head. “We were in the hammock?”
Ali, Skye, Meredith, and Prairie had found us, horror in their faces when they saw us all gathered around Daelon.
“Is he okay?” Prairie asked.
“Seizure,” I said. “Do you feel strong enough to stand?” I asked him.
He nodded. Cyrus and I helped him to his feet, but when he struggled to walk, Skye took my place.
Daelon looked at me helplessly as he tried and failed to walk normally, his arms draped around both men for support.
The poison was in his brain now.
And I wouldn’t risk it traveling to his heart.
Chapter 22
“We were supposed to have more time,” Daelon said to me as we sat together on the couch. Thankfully, he’d regained his ability to walk, but occasionally, he’d have flashes of strange neurological symptoms. “What do we have now? A couple days?”
I nodded. I felt like the worst person in the entire world. In every world, actually.
Our friends had given us space, and I’d told them we would meet them on the beach tonight. They deserved a last night with us before I took Daelon and ran.
“I see children now, in that vision of a cottage by the sea,” Daelon said. “Ever since we talked about it, I’ve seen them running around the house. One of them is a healer, and she has your eyes. Another is a shield, just like me and my father.”
I was so tired of crying that my entire face just hurt. “I’ve seen them too. The little girl has your dark hair. The boy has mine and Orion’s.”
Daelon smiled. He reached for my face. “I won’t say it all, not yet. But I need to say a few things right now, just so I don’t forget.”
I nodded, bracing myself.
“I am so grateful for the time we’ve had.” He held my face in his hands. “You’ve made me the best version of myself. You saved me from the castle, and for that I can never repay you. Being free with you, out here where witches are preparing to take back the realm, is exactly where I want to be. We might not get our cottage by the sea here in the physical, but I don’t care what kind of spirit ass I have to kick to make sure my soul is still around, still in the etheric for you to reach when you need to. If instead I end up with my parents,” he faltered, fighting through a sob. “Then I will wait for you there, with your family and the rest of our coven. If we end up separated, and our souls need to incarnate again, so be it. Because my soul will find yours in any lifetime, in any dimension, no matter if we’re worlds apart. I will find you and protect you all over again until my dying breath.”
“And I would do the same for you.” My fingers traced the curve of his jaw. “I love you more than I thought possible,” I said through sobs. “You don’t deserve what life has given you. You have made our family so proud, and you’ve been the best partner and friend and revolutionary leader any of us could have asked for. You’ve brightened the lives of everyone we’ve encountered since our escape, and I have never been more proud to call you my soulmate. You’ve done so much hard work to overcome your past trauma and mistakes, and your strength has been nothing short of a miracle. I admire you. I wish I had even an ounce of your resilience.”
“You do, Áine. You have enough strength to heal the whole world. I beg of you not to let my death prevent you from doing what you were always meant to do. Take your time coming back to me,” he said. “Please.”
I nodded, a wordless promise in my eyes. Maybe I was more of my shadow than I’d thought—if I could sit here and continue lying to the love of my life when he thought he was on the verge of death.
“As much as it hurts that it won’t be me, I know you have so many people here that will protect you almost as violently as I would,” he said, and we both smiled sadly at each other. “Feel that grief, but don’t let it drown you. You’re letting me go so that you never become anything close to what he wants you to become. You have to remember that no matter what. Don’t let my loss be in vain. You’re going to have to fight an internal battle before you’ll be ready on the real battlefield. And I promise I’ll be there by your side through it all, lending you strength that you cannot see.”
“I will never be like him,” I said. “No matter how dark things get, I will always keep the door open. If only just a crack. I’ll find my way back no matter what.”
Do you hear that? Just a crack, I begged my shadow. She was already ready to whisk me away from this heartbreaking conversation, determined to shut my emotions off and escape somewhere crisp and golden, a perfect blend of sharp and sweet. Do whatever you want, but don’t kill me off. Don’t let the light die out.
“Good girl,” he said. “You’re going to get your revenge. Don’t burn out before you can set his castle aflame.”
“Never.” I lay my head on his chest, curling into his body as he brushed his fingers through my hair.
I wanted to tell him it was still us against the world. I wanted to tell him everything. I still wanted a third choice, one that made more sense than the two horrible ones that were given to us.
How do I know that you’ll really save his life? I asked Lucius, forcing my way into his mind. I somehow knew that he was in the throne room. I nearly heard the voices of the court swirling all around, tasted the sweet release of elixir on their tongues.
I knew you’d make the right choice, he purred.
I wanted to shove another dagger through his heart and let him bleed out for real this time.
Sheesh. I wish I could see that adorably murderous face right now.
How, Lucius? I hissed.
I don’t lie to you, Áine. But we will do a traditional blood oath first, if you’d prefer. Breaking a blood oath means obliteration, so it will not be broken, he said. Which is a courtesy I’m only affording you because we’re bonded. Technically I hold all the power, and I could make you beg me to hold true to my word instead.
How sweet and romantic of you, I said bitterly.
How soon can I expect you?
Tonight.
We meet where my coronation took place for the oath and the healing. But your coronation will happen tomorrow night, so preparations can be made, he said. His voice was neutral, but he couldn’t hide the satisfaction and eagerness that reached through the bond like a caress against my mind. Be careful. See you soon.
I didn’t care what I had to do or how painful it would be. I would destroy Lucius, accursed bond or not, and I would make it hurt far worse than the pain he’d inflicted on Daelon.
I was going to ruin him.
I knew the energy was off as soon as we arrived at the beach. At first, I thought I was just being paranoid, and I wanted us to have one last good night with our friends so badly that I was willing to ignore it. I’d been selfish, dishonest, and distant with them for weeks now. I missed them terribly, and I hoped that I could have one more memory to call on in the castle to remind me what I was fighting for. I needed them to believe that I was still me, in my right mind, and the decisions I’d made were for everyone’s best interests.
Witches gathered around a bonfire in the sand, and I immediately spotted Wren, Jesco, the shamans, and Orion standing very close together, their voices hushed. As if sensing my presence, they dispersed.
Mer, Ali, Skye, and Prairie came to us, trailed by Susie Lynn and Becca.
I hugged both girls. “I haven’t seen you all much lately.” I looked at Becca. “I’ve been meaning to ask about the cute boy that’s always following you around…”
Susie Lynn groaned and looked up at the stars, and Becca crossed her arms and gave her best nonchalant shrug. Becca was wearing a bright yellow sundress, and everything about her screamed Teen Vogue as usual. She even had cat eye sunglasses perched on the top of her head though the sun had long descended.
“He’s obsessed with me, obviously,” she said.
I laughed, and Ali grinned. “Still, I mean what I said,” Ali said. “If he ever hurts your feelings or makes you feel uncomfortable—”
“Please stop,” Becca groaned, rolling her eyes. She then looked from me to Daelon, and she expertly shielded me from her aura’s growing emotions. I still had no clue how she’d learned to do that. She knew I could read her, and she didn’t want me to see her pity.
I smiled at her. “Thanks for all the clothes, Becca.” She’d been leaving new pieces by my door the whole time we’d been there, without a single word about it.
“Couldn’t let you wear just whatever they had lying around. Style is lost on many,” she said, her eyes flickering to Prairie, who raised a brow. Her messy bun was loose on the top of her head, and she was wearing flowy, bright, geometric pants and a gray tank top. “But I knew you would actually suffer if I abandoned you now.”
Daelon chuckled, kissing the side of my head. I leaned into him.
“Becca is leaving out the part about her working day and night to help make more clothes for future arrivals,” Mer said.
Becca shrugged again. “It’s what I do.”
“Can I get you guys something to drink?” Skye asked Daelon and me. “I’m headed over there anyway.” He tilted his head in the direction of the food and drinks station higher on the beach.
Before I could answer, Cyrus appeared. He was scanning the area, his eyes darting all across the beach, and my stomach dropped at the danger reflected in his eyes.
Something’s off. I think they know about our plan. I swear I haven’t said a word, Áine. One look at his aura and I knew he was telling me the truth.
I mentally let out a slew of curses, Cyrus echoing the sentiment. How did they find out? Wren said he was on my side. Would he have really lied to me? Did everyone standing with us know? My eyes darted around each of my friends, parsing through their body language and auras and coming up blank. I stopped when their collective grief threatened to distract me.
“I’m sorry, Cyrus,” Daelon said. “I still don’t remember exactly what happened, but I have the overwhelming feeling that it wasn’t good. And if you were there, I’m guessing I wasn’t very kind to you.” Skye clamped a hand down on Daelon’s shoulder in a masculine show of support before dropping his arm back to his side.
Cyrus shook his head. “Seriously, no apology necessary.”
I hadn’t even begun to unpack what Daelon had said about Cyrus and his motives with me. I was grateful Cyrus just let it all roll off of him.
Prairie changed the subject to talk of Beltane planning, and Susie Lynn and Becca silently disappeared.
I know you wanted tonight to be special. I know you wanted more time to prepare. But I feel in my gut that we need to move. Now, Cyrus said, intensity in his voice.
I was paralyzed for a moment. Everyone on this beach was about to think I was betraying them to save Daelon’s life, and Cyrus and Wren were supposed to be the ones to convince them afterward that this was the right move for the revolution.
You have to convince them this was the right choice. I’m going to be able to help from the inside, when the time is right, and I’ll—
Áine, I will fulfill my purpose, Cyrus said. We have everything we need. I believe in you. You’re going to be exactly where we need you to be, just as the Goddess always planned. Now is the time for faith, okay? You’re going to need a lot of power to travel such a great distance, so I need you to start moving and clear your mind so you can channel.
Thank you for being my friend.
I’ll see you before you know it. I believe in you, he repeated one last time.
“Drinks?” Skye repeated, taking us back to his inquiry before Cyrus had arrived.
“Daelon and I will join you in just a minute,” I said, and they all seemed to get the message. Mer smiled, and I memorized the softness of her features, her full lips and her gray eyes, the gentle waves of her dark hair. I wanted to tell her I loved her. I wanted to thank Skye for being such a great friend to Daelon. I wanted to tackle Ali with the biggest hug. I wanted to do all the things I hadn’t been doing the past few weeks, because just like Wren had said since the beginning, I was always putting up walls to lessen the pain of loss. All I’d ever learned was that no one was going to be there for me forever. I always had to leave them, or they always had to leave me.
