Page 40 of Court of Twisted Angels

"I cannot heal her," she says simply.

"No, but you can bond us." I cradle Kyrie closer, feeling her pulse grow weaker. "I need you to do it. Now."

The Nashai's eyes narrow. "You would tether your soul to this mortal? The consequences-"

"I don't care about consequences." Magic crackles around us as my control slips. "She dies, I die. That's my choice."

The Praexa studies us for a long moment, her ancient power pressing against my shields. Finally, she raises her hands, golden light spilling from her fingertips. "This binding cannotbe undone," she warns, her hands hovering. "Your souls will be forever intertwined. Her fate becomes yours."

"Do it." My voice cracks on the words. "Please."

The Praexa begins the incantation, her wings spreading wide as she guides the magic. Golden threads of power weave between Kyrie and me, burning like fire where they touch skin.

My hand tightens around Kyrie's cold fingers as the first threads of magic pierce my chest. Pain explodes through my body - white-hot and all-consuming. Every nerve ignites as the binding magic burrows deep into my soul. I grit my teeth, wings trembling with the effort to remain standing.

I never thought it would be painful, but maybe when I'm dragging a dying soul back to life, it shouldn't surprise me.

The golden threads weave between us, creating an intricate lattice of light that connects our bodies. Each strand burns as it settles into place, marking my essence with an unbreakable seal. I feel the exact moment the magic reaches my core - a sensation like molten metal being poured directly into my heart.

Through the haze of agony, I sense something new stirring. A presence, weak but growing stronger. Kyrie's consciousness brushes against mine, her soul responding to the binding. The connection deepens with each passing second, until I can no longer tell where my essence ends and hers begins.

The magic crescendos, and I feel my soul stretch, expand, reshape itself to accommodate this new connection. It's excruciating and exhilarating all at once. Beneath my palm, Kyrie's heart begins to beat stronger. Her life force, now permanently tethered to mine, pulls from my strength. Color returns to her cheeks as the binding solidifies, creating an unbreakable bridge between our souls.

A mark burns itself into my chest, directly over my heart - an intricate pattern of interwoven lines that matches the oneappearing on Kyrie's skin. The physical manifestation of our bond, a visible reminder of the choice I've made.

The binding magic fades, leaving behind an ache in my chest and the constant awareness of another soul connected to mine. I gather Kyrie's still-unconscious form in my arms, wings spreading wide as I take flight once more.

Even though it is just a drop to the arena floor, it feels different now to move, to exist. Every beat of my wings sends ripples of sensation through our newly forged bond. Her presence in my mind is like a warm ember, growing stronger with each passing moment as my magic flows into her depleted body.

I land softly on the ground, kneeling with her in my arms. My hand finds its way to her cheek, thumb brushing across skin that's already losing its deathly pallor. Through our connection, I feel the exact moment my power begins to truly merge with hers.

Golden light dances beneath her skin, following the paths of her veins like liquid sunlight. The angry purple welts from the poisoned wind traps fade to nothing. Her breathing deepens, becomes stronger. The bond pulses between us, a steady rhythm that matches the beating of our hearts.

"Come on, little bird," I murmur. "Please come back to me."

23

KYRIE

Ijolt awake with a violent gasp, my body arching off rough wooden floorboards. The world spins, fragments of memories crashing through my mind like shattered glass. Pain radiates from my chest where Azrael's magic entered me, but it's different now - a steady pulse that thrums beneath my skin, foreign yet familiar.

My fingers tremble as I press them against my sternum. Warmth radiates outward, nothing like the icy burn of before. This feels... alive. Like drinking sunlight, or catching lightning in a bottle. The magic courses through my veins in steady waves, making my skin tingle and my breath catch.

"Gods above." I push myself to sitting, watching in wonder as faint blue wisps dance across my fingertips. The magic responds to my thoughts, curling and weaving between my fingers. My conduit - the metal band wrapped around my palm - pulses in sync with each beat of my heart.

I flex my fingers, watching the blue light ripple and flow. This must be how the xaphan feel all the time - connected to something vast and ancient and powerful.

But there's an edge to it, a wildness that makes my heart race. This isn't my magic. It's his. Azrael's power thrums through my body like a second heartbeat, dangerous and intoxicating.

"Little bird." His voice cuts through my wonder. "Breathe."

I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath, too caught up in the sensation of raw power coursing through my veins. The magic flares at the sound of his voice, recognizing its true master.

I push myself to standing, legs trembling but steadier than before. Azrael's magic pulses through me like liquid starlight, and though part of me wants to scream at him for forcing this power into my body without permission, I can't deny how it heightens every sense.

"The trial." My voice comes out stronger than expected. "How much time do I have left?"

"You're still breathing so the trial is still going." He steps closer, and the magic inside me surges in response. "Show me what you can do with it, little bird."

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