Page 102 of Heir to His Court

They are gone.

Juliette is dead.

Juliette.

I scream and scream and break and break because this istoo much

Just when I was beginning to forgive to hope to breathe

to grasp the tenuous strands of love and reweave what I had assumed would be a long bloody future

This is too much

No one is made to endure this

Another voice deep and calm and edged with a snarl But I’m not the one hurt not physically I will make everyone pay Everyone will share my pain Everyone will

Aerinne

Darkness I cannot be allowed to remain awake in this state

I understand why the Old Ones sleep

He calls me slowly painstakingly slowly to consciousness I don’t know how much time has passed only that in those terrible seconds I touched on a power more terrible than I’d ever imagined possessing

I’d been moments from flinging it across the city in my anguished rage

Anguished anew I sink back into sleep

I keep trying but

I’ve failed so so many times

This is too much

Raniel is singing but I

I am locked inside my sorrow

I consume it

Raniel is still singing

His voice is sunlight and birdsong and summer storms at sea

Waves crashing against the shore and the moonlight reflecting off the stillness

Of the Lake

Voices call my name plead for me to walk back into the light

But darkness offers sanctuary

I cannot wash her blood off my hands

Strong pale hands reach out enemy hands He will steal my numbness

THIEF

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