Page 157 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

But I am only greeted by silence.

It’s as if I am shouting in a sea of nothingness, my voice swallowed by the dark.

“Cryssa Thurdred Pelleveron Avanos,” I yell, my voice breaking. “Answer me!”

“Viridian?”

I briefly close my eyes, tilting my head back. Comfort washes over me in waves, knowing she heard me. Knowing that she hasn’t drifted beyond my reach. “Cryssa!”

“Viridian! I’m here!”

“I’m coming, Little Fawn,” I promise her, moving toward her voice. I urge myself to go faster, and I do, flying through the nothingness like a falling star.

Then I see her.

And she’s as beautiful as the moment I first saw her, that night in Slyfell.

Only now, she shines like the sun, emitting magnificent, golden rays.

Her eyes go wide when she sees me, mouth twisted with happy sobs. Then we’re diving toward each other as fast as we can, our arms outstretched, two burning embers set to collide.

We crash into each other, swirling around each other like the eye of a storm. My arms wrap around her the moment she meets my chest, and she grips fistfuls of my shirt, as if she needs my closeness more than she needs anything in the entire universe.

Taking her face between both of my hands, I kiss her. Hard. She kisses me in return, her arms draped around my neck, pulling me closer.

“Viridian, how—”

“There’s no time. I’ll explain everything once we return.”

She scrunches her brows together, as if she can’t wrap her mind around how any of this is possible.

I take her hand, focusing my mind. Grounding myself, I find what I’m searching for: the tether that ties my soul to my body.

Gripping Cryssa tight, tighter than I ever have before, I pull her to my chest and circle my arms around her waist. Then, I dive, praying that we still have time. That out there, my heart still beats.

That I’m not too late.

The throne room comes back into sight as we approach.

Nemos nods to me when we pass through the ceiling, as if to say, “Well done.” Theelia bows her head, a warm smile taking shape on her face.

Still clinging to Cryssa, I don’t stop until I crash into both of our bodies.

Chapter Forty-Two

Cryssa

My eyes flash open. I’m gasping for breath.

I lurch upright, practically swallowing large gulps of air until my lungs no longer burn.

Beside me, Viridian does something similar. Wiping his mouth, disbelief clearly written all over his face, he places a hand on his chest and breathes in slowly.

I look down at myself, pressing my palm to my sternum. There’s still a tear in my clothes where the iron-tipped arrow pierced me, but it’s gone. And so is the hole in my chest.

Viridian snaps his head to face me, arms reaching out to me. He’s over me in an instant, clearly beside himself as his hands frantically search me for injuries.

“Are you hurt?” he asks, his forehead creasing with worry. He continues to scan my body, eyes wide.

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