Page 117 of The Storm of the Empire

“Then we go together. I think with your storm power disturbing the fields and my foresight looking ahead, we could get in and out without being seen. We should be safe.”

“We can’t just bust into Kerani! We don’t know the first thing about it.”

“You could take Faolan,” Nyx suggested.

I spun and glared at him. “Don’t you get on board with this. It’s madness!”

Nyx shrugged.

Luka pulled me back to him. “If it fixes one thing in this whole mess, is it not at least worth trying?”

“You want me to agree to break into a place which is bound and determined to keep the rest of us out with you like this? You’re getting worse.”

“I’m not going to get better.” His words echoed something I’d already known, but him saying it out loud wrecked me.

“Please don’t say that.” My voice hitched.

Nyx cleared his throat. “You two stay here with Kol. I’m going to gather Jaxus and Faolan so we can see if we can work something out.”

I nodded, not taking my eyes off Luka, as I heard Nyx slip from the room

“We both have to face the fact that our days our limited, like anyone else,” Luka said. “Ours just maybe more limited than others.”

“Promise me you’ll hold on as long as you can,” I barely managed.

He searched my face. “I promise. I won’t leave you a second before I have to.”

I pressed my forehead to his. “I believe you.”

“I know you do.” He rubbed his nose over mine. “I’m not as bad when I’m with you.”

“I know. Why are the fates so cruel?” I asked, not ready to let go of him.

“What do you mean?” He cradled my face so I’d look at him.

“To give you to me only to take you away.” I tried to fight my tears, but they leaked down my cheeks.

“Whatever we are, our roots have always been connected. I feel that now. We are different bodies, but our roots are growing together. We grow together, we weather the storms together, and we change seasons together. Our magic comes from those roots. There is no separating them. No one and nothing could drag you away from me if they tried. Even if I lose myself to my visions, I remain yours.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.” He wiped my tears with his thumbs.

We stayed silent for a long moment.

“I’ll go,” I told him. I needed to do this for Alora, and I knew he’d go with or without me. His heart was too good to leave a wrong he could right.

“Okay,” he whispered. “And Hazel.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’m sticking around.”

I wanted to believe him.

THIRTY-EIGHT

LUKA

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