Page 79 of An Honored Vow

Gerarda lifted her chin. “Then so be it. But at least I will live out the last of my days knowing I dideverythingI could to protect my people, to fight for their freedom, to fight for more than just myself to survive.” She swallowed and her dark eyes bore into mine, unwavering. “After all we have been through together, Keera, you owe me that. Don’t take my chance to do my best from me. Not again.”

A hot tear rolled down Gerarda’s cheek, and she was no longer the seasoned soldier I had come to respect and care for. She was a lost, lonely girl, trying to do everything she could to save her sister.

Fate had taken that from her.

I would not do the same.

“Yes.”

Gerarda fell back onto her heels. “Yes?” The warmth drained from her face as her jaw fell open.

“Having second thoughts, Vallaqar?”

Her black eyes narrowed. “Not at all.”

“Where do you want to do it?”

Gerarda waved her arms across the clearing. “Here is good enough for me.”

“You don’t want to fetch Elaran first?”

Gerarda gulped and she shook her head. “Nothing she would say would change my mind. And I would rather do it before the Elders get suspicious.”

I pulled a faebead from the inner pocket of my vest and cracked it with my boot. A large faelight bloomed beside us, and I threw my cloak over top of it. “Lay down.”

Gerarda undid her weapons belt and set it on the ground. She twisted her hands over and over again before letting her head fall back onto the makeshift bed. “I’m ready,” she said with a nod.

I called my gift forward. Gerarda’s black eyes widened for the last time as mine were lit with an auric glow. I reached out and placed my palm over the width of her forehead.

For a moment, nothing happened, as if Gerarda’s mind was fighting against the magic. But she took a deep breath, and all her defenses dropped. Her body went limp. Then the rush of my magic overwhelmed her, thick ribbons wrapping around her body like a cocoon.

The warmth faded away and I could breathe normally once more. I looked down at Gerarda, and when her eyes opened, they were gleaming orbs of amber.

I took a step back as Gerarda stood. A gasp ripped from my chest. Inky black shadows leaked from her limbs, twirling along the ground like dusty wisps of wind. Tendrils of darkness, just like Riven’s shadows had been.

“Are you in pain?” My voice shook with fear of what I had done to my friend.

Gerarda blinked. “No.” She laughed, a single pure note that sounded more like song than joy. “I feel incredible. Though this is not a new power.”

I shrugged. I didn’t understand the magic any more than she did.

Gerarda fluttered her fingers and strands of shadow shot from her fingertips. I burst into a fit of laughter that didn’t settle until Gerarda hurled a shadow at my face.

“Don’t lose control or you’ll have to train with Riven.”

Gerarda cursed under her breath.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

IWAS GRATEFUL THATno one followed me back to Myrelinth. Fyrel was sitting in the garden near the portal. She waved, covering her flushed cheeks when she saw me. Gwyn turned, her curls splayed across Fyrel’s lap as she lay in the sun, her amber eyes glinting under the golden hue of Sil’abar.

My throat went dry. Tomorrow Fyrel’s eyes would be just as amber.

I gave them a stiff nod and tossed a dried bulb into the portal to pass into the Dark Wood. Perhaps Syrra and Myrrah were right. The two of them had become inseparable since Gwyn had found her voice again. Fyrel would follow Gwyn to the front lines no matter what.

With magic or without it. Halfling or Fae.

It wouldn’t matter.

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