Page 61 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Ashlyn nodded vehemently through a watery smile. “Yes. I do. Can you help him?”

Lytha's expression turned grave. "His body is healed. Only his mind remains out of reach. Sometimes we get lost on the other side of the veil.”

“The veil?”

“Yes. That is what we call the place we go when we leave our bodies, as Zade has done. We will try to help him find his way back.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You can speak to him. Call him back to you. Give him a reason to fight his way home.”

Ashlyn straightened her shoulders, stiffened her spine. She could do that. She’d already been doing that in her mind. Taking his hand in hers once again, she began talking to Zade. Anything was better than sitting there, helpless. Terrified.

Lytha got up, threw a few herbs into a steaming pot of water at Zade’s feet, then walked around to where Zade’s head rested on a thin pillow, sat back down and pressed two fingers to eachof his temples. She began to sway in sync with the others, and after a few minutes, added her voice to the chant.

All night long they chanted. Ashlyn talked, the candles burned, and the water fell, ever vigilant, until the morning sun shone brightly through the windows.

Without warning, Zade’s grandmother stopped, her shoulders slumped in defeat. A single tear slid down her withered cheek. She opened weary eyes and turned to Ashlyn. “Now it is I who am sorry, child. I’m afraid he is too far away, even for me, to reach.”

Pain, denial, fear, all swept through Ashlyn in a tidal wave of grief.No. This can’t be happening. They’re supposed to save him. He’s supposed to wake up. He has to wake up.

Gut wrenching pain tore through her, shredded her soul. “No. No. No,” she sobbed, over and over. “Please, no! We can’t quit! We can’t!”

She cried until there was nothing left in her. Nothing but a deep, empty void. She refused to leave with the others, insisting she stay with Zade’s body. Only Lytha remained.

“There is another way,” a deep, compelling voice echoed in the silence.

Startled, Ashlyn’s head snapped up. “Bren?”

From the corner of the room, Bren appeared, his face ashen. “I have known Zade since his birth. He does not give up. There is another way.”

“What is it? Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

Bren hesitated. “There is a way, but it is dangerous—for both Zade and you."

Rachel leaned forward, her voice tense. "What do you mean? What kind of danger?"

Lytha rose to her feet, her robes rustling with movement. Her bare feet made slapping noises as she stomped over to him. "Itis good to see you, old friend. I know what you’re thinking.” She jabbed his chest with her index finger. “No.”

“She could save him,” Bren countered softly.

“I know he is like a son to you, Brennar, but you don’t want him to live any more than I do. He is my only grandson. This girl is human. She would die a painful death, and we, responsible.”

Brennar bowed his head. “You are right, of course.”

Lytha patted his chest. “Loss is always painful. You know that better than most, which means you also know it cannot be avoided.”

“Wait,” Ashlyn begged. “What is he talking about? If I can save Zade, shouldn’t I get a say in whether or not I want to risk my life?”

Bren sidestepped around Lytha and stared directly into Ashlyn’s eyes, his own full of pain. “Yes. No one can make the decision but you.”

“No! It cannot be done!” Lytha exclaimed, facing Ashlyn. “You will both die. Is that what you want, child? To die alongside my grandson? Do you think I would not trade places with him if I could?”

Ashlyn kept her gaze fixed on Bren. “I know what you’re talking about. At least, I think I do. You link two people in some way with Lumerian technology. They live together or die together. There is not one without the other. But I’m human. Completely human. Can it be done?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard rumors of a human woman and a Caldorian king…” he said cautiously, looking meaningfully toward the door, then back to Ashlyn. “You tell me, can it be done?”

Ashlyn's heart sank, remembering all too well nearly losing Sasha. It was the reason she’d sworn off dating any Caldorians. "I don’t know," she whispered, heartbroken. "I don’t think so.She almost died, and she wasn’t..." Ashlyn paused, not sure how much she could reveal.

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