Page 222 of Blood Feast

Dame didn’t move. Lio patted her. “Go be a dog.Soor obett.”

When he said the words, his familiar dashed off for a game of chase with Knight. They raced and tussled along the side of the stream. A little bubble of light seemed to fill Lio’s chest, . His guilt snuffed it out.

Cassia held out her hand to him, a question in her eyes. His hand felt dirty. But if she wanted his touch, he would give it. He slid his hand in hers, and she held on tight.

She led him onward, moving with purpose. They wandered far, the dogs’ happy yips echoing after them. The deeper they went, the thicker her magic grew around them. When the passage opened into another cavern, Lio looked around them in astonishment.

“This is the heart of the letting site.” Cassia’s voice was hushed.

The stream ended in a pool that glittered under starry spell lights. The Lustra magic was so thick here that he felt like they were swimming in it. Every current that flowed around him pulsed with Cassia’s blood magic, immersing him in her dual power.

Some ancient hand had carved the inside of the cave into curving walls, graceful arches, and pillars like standing stones.Cracks marred the runes carved on every surface, and chunks of the megaliths had fallen to the ground. But everywhere this sacred place had almost collapsed, black roses now grew, filling and bracing the damage.

The sconces were blackened, as if they had once burned with magefire. Lio ran his fingers through the nearest spell light and started. “This is my magic.”

“You’re a part of this place now, too. Let me show you.”

Borne on the currents of magic and emotion swirling between them, Lio sank into their Union. Spells ran out from this place in countless veins, and Cassia was their heart. She guided his mind through the patterns to the threshold of the only door that still stood. Her blood and his light traced the runes on the portal.

He opened his eyes to find his arms around her, her mouth a hair’s breadth from his. He gazed down at her, more in awe of his Grace than ever. “You did it, Cassia. You healed the third door.”

She traced his brow, then his cheek. “My power can save us, just as you always believed. I’m the only one who has a hope of stopping Kallikrates. But I can’t do it without you.”

“Everything I have to give is yours, now and always. But I won’t push you ever again. I’m sorry I made this harder for you.”

She shook her head. “You weren’t pushing me. You were fighting for me. That’s what I needed.”

The weight of his sins lightened. He had made so many mistakes, but not this. He had still understood what his Grace needed.

She rested her face on his chest. “You were right. My fear almost cost me something even more important than my magic. My power. I spent my whole mortal life afraid to act because of what the king might do. It would be so much worse to sacrifice my power for eternity because of Kallikrates.”

“Then I will keep fighting for eternity.”

“Please. If it’s not too much to ask of you, keep fighting. Even when I stop fighting for myself. I was losing a part of myself because of my fear. Hold onto that part of me when it’s slipping from my grasp.”

He held her more tightly. “I’ll never let go, my Grace.”

She wrapped her arms around him. Despite his promise, he felt as if she were holding the pieces of him together.

“In the temple…” He had to take another breath to go on. “Thank you for stopping me.”

She stroked his back, saying nothing. He was glad she simply let him get his words out.

“You saved those men from what I would have done to them.”

“I did it to save you.”

“I know.” He pressed his face to her hair.

When she spoke again, her voice was thick. “I didn’t stop you soon enough to spare you this guilt. I’m so sorry.”

“The consequences are mine to carry.”

“No.” Her hands tightened on his back. “We carry everything together now. Promise me.”

When he didn’t reply, she looked up at him, her gaze fierce. “I will never judge you or be ashamed of you. Not after how you’ve accepted me. I’m here to bear your burdens with you and hold you while you heal.”

A sigh slipped out of him. “Goddess, what did I do to be blessed with you?”

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