Page 186 of Visions & Shadows

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “You’re not alone.”

His eyes flutter closed, and I choke on a sob as I look up to where Thana is on fire.

A cry rips from me, and Raighne’s warmth engulfs me until my skin starts to shine as if a light is trying to break free from me.

“I love you,”Raighne whispers, his tone hoarse with heartache.

“I love you so much,”I sob.“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let them die.”

“I understand.”

“I wish…I wish…”I’m crying too hard to form a coherent thought.

“I’ll be with you until the end. I’m here. I love you, my little dreamer.”

Hearing his words makes me realize Raighne will die with me, and it fills me with unthinkable fear.

“No!”My eyes widen, and Phoenix’s body slips out of my arms.

I climb to my feet, and lifting my head, I stare up at the destruction bearing down on me. With every ounce of strength I have, I try to force Raighne out of my mind.

“I reject our bond.”

“Don’t, Alchera!”he shouts and I swear I hear his words echo in the wind around me.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Be happy, Raighne.”

I close my eyes, and it takes everything I am as I let out a scream while trying to sever our bond.

I can feel Raighne fighting me, and desperate because I’m out of time, I cry, “Awo, spare him. Please!”

When I open my eyes, the asteroid’s shadow is all I can see as the sand and rocks lift from the ground and pressure squeezes the air from my lungs.

It will disintegrate Earth on impact. There will be nothing left of this world I once called home.

Sobs shudder through my body as I beg one last time, “Awo, save Raighne.”

Heat scorches my skin, and unable to suck in another breath, I feel a weird calmness settle over me.

This is where I belong.

Just as everything explodes around me and the Earth shudders and roars, everything lights up so bright I have to shut my eyes.

“Alchera,”I hear Raighne groan, sounding a million miles away from me.

And as I face my end, I whisper, “Ilove you, Raighne.”

Raighne

On my knees in the middle of the castle’s foyer, I focus everything I am to hold onto Alchera.

Brenna’s holding their mother, who’s sobbing as they stare at me, and Finian stands beside them, his face pale.

“Raighne,” Brenna whispers, her tone drenched in heartache while she stares at me in horror.

I glance down and see the essence of my soul shining through the cracks in my skin.

Alchera is dying.

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