Page 163 of Of Blood & Stone

Distrathrus’ yellow eyes flickered as he fell to his knees, reaching for her. “But…” he gasped, his fingers catching her clothes, “But you weremine,Sylzenya.”

“No,” Sylzenya said through stray tears. “I belong to no one.”

A contorted grimace took over his face, a strange laugh leaving his lips. Sylzenya backed away, a shiver running down her spine.

“It’s too late for this land,” he croaked, his laughter growing louder, “My sister’s blood will be consumed by my dying heart thanks to the power you’ve already given it. All you humans will die with me and my creation. If I can’t have you or this world, thenno one can.”

Sylzenya dropped the sword, turning back towards the pedestal.

Impossible.

The large heart’s rhythm had slowed, but it continued to absorb Aretta’s golden blood. The Kreenas surrounding the altar started screaming again, their bodies shriveling as their bodies continued to drain of blood.

Sylzenya looked at her hands, her power still dormant, his blood still controlling her.

No more of this.

Climbing onto the altar, Sylzenya fell to her knees, Distrathrus’ heart squelching underneath her weight. Ignoring the stench, she dug her fingers into its flesh.

“What are you doing, Sylzenya?” Distrathrus gasped.

Her neck twitched remembering Distrathrus’ words to Elnok,you thought she could be yours, but you knew from the moment we met she would always be mine.

Curling her fingers, she pushed past his damn blood, a crack rupturing in the barrier of her mind.

You must prove yourself ready, and so far, you’ve only proven how far from it you are.

Gold light circled her arms, her torso, her entire self as she commanded more of Aretta’s power through her body. Distrathrus’ barrier cracked more, power pushing through.

“Sylzenya!” he screeched.

Your parents proved who they were—who we always knew them to be—delirious, selfish, and hostile. Wasn’t it I who told you these very things?

Gritting her teeth, she leaned forward, Distrathrus’ heart thrumming against her skin as if it were frightened of her.

After all these years, why are you choosing to doubt me now, Sylzenya?

She cried out as pain sliced through her back, golden power dragging along her skin, passing into Distrathrus’ heart—both of them seeping warm blood down the altar.

A looming silence fell on her.

You’re mine.

Sylzenya clenched her jaw. “Not anymore.”

The barrier shattered into a million pieces. Gold power consumed her, a scream pushing out of her throat, tears streaming down her face.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Distrathrus’ blood fled from her body. Freedom filled her lungs.

Bright golden light flashed under her palms. She thought of Druenia, all she and her people had taken from them. She thought of Elnok, his half-smile and pale green eyes bringing a smile to her lips.

No matter what she did, she’d always been enough, with and without her power. She’d loved, she’d cared, and she’d destroyed. Digging deep into her nerves, she called on that power that had killed so many, transforming it into something different—something that could heal.

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