Page 24 of Queen of Stars and Shadows

“I’m not leaving without Zyren,” Sarielle snaps.

“If we die here, or are captured by Avonia, both Eldare and Valaron are forfeit, and then you’ll never figure out a way to help Zyren,” the man presses.

Sarielle’s gaze locks onto mine, her eyes burning. “Don’t do this. Come with us.”

I shake my head. “I will not forsake my brother.”

She looks heartbroken, but she nods. “I’ll find you again.”

And with that, she turns and disappears with her companions into the darkness.

Chapter Fourteen

Sarielle

When dawn breaks,I’m wide awake. We’d traveled several miles the night before, getting as far away from the battle as we could before setting up camp. Everyone else had been asleep for a couple of hours, but my mind has been in turmoil ever since I turned and walked away from Zyren.

It was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

The night before, after the invasion began, I’d run back to the barracks to find Lilette and the others, but they’d already escaped their cells. We’d run into each other near the main entrance, and that’s when I’d spotted Zyren crossing the field toward the palace. I’d convinced the others to let me try onceagain to get him to believe me, to leave Jonavus and Avonia. They’d agreed, even while a battle raged around us.

But I’d failed.

I’d been sure, for several perfect minutes that are seared into my mind, that he would come with me. That he’d realize who I was, and that he’d been lied to. He can feel the connection between us, Iknowhe does. He’d reacted to me, even if hesitant at first. He’d felt the magic that moves between us, the magic that we share. My heart fractured all over again when he refused to come with me.

For the first time, I must consider that he may be lost to me forever.

As if that isn’t devastating enough, now I have only four days left to reclaim my throne before the demon is set free from her prison. Four days, and I’m no closer to a solution. Not to mention Avonia has claimed Eldare now, in addition to Valaron. If I don’t stop her, the rest of Aureon will be next.

There’s still a small trail of smoke from the fire we’d made, spiraling up from the smoldering embers. It drifts into my eyes, making them water and mixing with the dried tears that linger there. Next to me, Lilette stirs and slowly shifts into an upright position. She blinks sleepily in the early morning light, and her gaze falls on mine.

“Did you sleep at all?”

I shake my head.

“It’s going to be okay,” she says softly, placing a hand over mine.

“Is it?”

“It has to be, because we’re together again now.”

I smile, in spite of everything, and squeeze her hand.

The others begin to awaken, and I go to collect some berries and mushrooms for a scant breakfast. When I return, I pass outa small serving to the others and we sit around the fire. There’s silence for several minutes as we contemplate our predicament.

“I’m not sure what to do,” I admit. “We have no army, and my magic is barely working.”

Owyn looks at me and Lilette. “Are there other armies in Eldare that can come to our aid?”

Lilette shakes her head. “Eldare has never had much of a military. With magic being so scarce, I don’t think anyone wants to come here. Plus, we’re at the far edge of Aureon, so we mostly keep to ourselves, and the other realms do the same.”

“What about beyond Eldare?” I ask, looking to Zara and Asher. “Do you have allies elsewhere? What about the City of Night?”

They exchange a look. “That’s what we discussed last night,” Asher says. “We think the best thing we can do to help is to cross the border and send for aid. We need to warn the rest of Aureon what’s coming. About Avonia and the nightmares.”

“You should come with us,” Zara adds. “There’s not much you can do here; we saw that last night. With the royal palace fallen, and nightmares swarming the countryside, it’s a dangerous place to be right now.”

I shake my head. “I can’t.”

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