I close my eyes and go inward. Not to myself this time, but into them. Fragments of my self spread out through my magic, seeping into theirs.
With this oneness between the three of us, I begin to weave the threads of life together.
Like I thought, Rosalina’s light is dim, barely visible. Dayton shines like sunlight on a turquoise ocean. His magic is familiar to me: he gave it to me once before, on the field outside of Coppershire, when he fought by my side to protect my realm. This I shepherd into Rosalina, feeding her with wind and sea spray and strength.
Dayton’s magic will replenish when he returns to Castletree, so I take it all, every drop, every spark. He will be okay without such power; I will watch out for him, as he has done for me for so many years. The only thing that remains is the slumbering beast within him, for that is his alone.
Rosalina’s light brightens, fed by this magic. But it’s not enough.
Now, I must take blood and breath.
I grit my teeth, feeling my own body weaken under this channeling. But I can’t stop. Not yet.
I’m sorry, Day.
He’s strong, I know he is. And so is Rosalina. She has always flourished on so much less than others.
Dayton cries out beside me, but I don’t dare open my eyes or tear myself from this inner space. His light flickers, but hers is growing…
Blood and breath and bone and water. Fires within, one I stoke and one I dim.
Just a little more…
“S-stop.”
A weak voice, but one that sends my bond bouncing through my chest. I tear myself out of our inward space, blinking against the light.
Rosalina pushes herself up from Dayton’s lap. Her face is too pale, eyes rimmed with dark circles, but she’s herself again, awake and alert. Dayton wavers, all color has drained from his face, and his hands tremble.
“Dayton,” she breathes, falling off his lap and letting him collapse against her. She turns to me. “What did you do?”
“He stole Prince Dayton’s life for yours,” Wrenley whispers, staring down at us.
“Farron,” Rosalina says, “is this true?”
“Give me a minute,” Dayton groans. “I’ll be ready to kick ass as soon as I catch my breath.”
I give a shaky breath of relief. That was too fine a line to walk.
Rosalina touches my face. “You’re here.”
“Always.”
She smiles at me, then props up on her knees, looking deep within the tempest. “Ezryn? Ezryn!”
I grab her arm to stop her from running straight into the storm. “Rose, wait. What happened?”
“It’s Ezryn,” she cracks. “He’s my mate. And he’s fighting the breaking of his curse.”
83
Keldarion
Wind and debris tear at my hair and clothes as I take another step into the storm. The air spirals in a vicious circle around Ezryn. Pieces of the grove have been torn into the cyclone: logs, branches, rocks, and chunks of dirt fly through the air. I hold my hand up to shield my face.
“The storm’s too strong,” Kairyn grunts beside me. “We’ll never get close enough to him.”
I wrap an arm around Kairyn’s shoulder. Somehow, he’s become even taller than me. His black cape snaps in the wind, and a rock tings off his helmet. “Keep going. Ezryn needs us.”
We both take another shaky step forward, fighting the gale. Shrouded by the flying rubble, I can see to the eye of the storm. Ezryn sits on his knees, hands in the earth. What is happening inside of him to trigger this? He would never destroy his home on purpose. Never hurt Rosalina.
I grit my teeth at the thought. The only thing keeping me from rushing out of the storm and finding Rose is my trust in Farron. He is mate of my mate. I know he will do what he must.
And there is one other thing.
Ezryn may not be my blood brother, but he is still my family. He came for me in my darkest hour, when all hope had abandoned me. I will not let him suffer alone.
The wind screams in pain, a sound strangely familiar. Step after step, Kairyn and I fight through the storm. Each movement brings us into harsher winds. Little pieces of earth rip at my flesh, and warm blood streaks across my face. My clothes rip as sharp rocks snag fabric. But I don’t stop.
“It’s too much,” Kairyn cries. “We must turn back.”
I yank hard on his arm. “No!” This boy does not yet understand sacrifice, pain. He does not fully understand what is at stake.
“Together!” I roar. We move in unison, left foot raising, finding purchase, then the right.
I can barely open my eyes now; the wind is too strong, hail mixing with debris. A huge chunk smashes against my brow. I hiss in pain but take another step.