Run, I whispered. Run, sweetheart. Run.
Silence fell, and regret threatened to overwhelm me.
We never had our chance. I’d chosen duty for too long. Arrogance had consumed me. An endless life of immortality. But sometimes fate plays tricks on us all.
Aflora...
My story was the punch line of a cruel joke. I took it all for granted. I should have known.
There’s so much… I would have done… This can’t be the end…
I choked, the last of my breaths escaping. I used it to breathe her name, my apology and regret whispered on the wind.
Leaving me alone with a withering soul and my dying crow.
Staring into the abyss.
Of a starless.
Everlasting.
Night.
I COULDN’T BREATHE.
I’d heard Kols in my head, begging me to forgive him, screaming for another chance. And telling me to run. But my limbs were frozen from the onslaught of his agony.
So much pain.
So much regret.
So much loneliness.
Tears dampened my cheeks, and my knees curled into my chest as I struggled to regain control of my lungs. But the severing of his life rendered me immobile.
/> He’s gone, I thought, feeling the last of his breath leave his body. He’s gone and I can’t even see him!
I screamed, not caring who heard, giving up on everyone around me, on life, on the world. The injustice! The incredible, horrible decision. And why? Because of a bond? One we’d created?
Earth Fae were all about life.
We valued vitality and sunshine and beautiful creatures. I longed for my leaves. My roots. My beautiful, adoring flowers.
This kingdom resembled death and misery.
They killed Kols.
Why?! I wanted to shout, my heart shattered. We weren’t done!
He was my mate. My rock. My chosen half.
The earth source shrieked at the loss, one I let loose through my own lungs, my soul in tatters. How could you?! I wanted to demand. What is wrong with you?!
He was just a man.
A royal.
A good fae.