Page 28 of A World of Ruins

A half-smile adorns his lips, and something immediately pulls at my stomach. He looks like the same handsome shifter I fell in love with, dressed in a black jacket threaded with gold decorations and a shirt underneath it, yet strangely nothing, no scratch or sign of injury, is visible on him.

‘Now, who might you be?’ Darius murmurs and my heart cleaves in two.

Time seems to stutter, and the world around me blurs. His gaze, once filled with love and recognition, is now devoid of the familiarity we once shared.

I try to speak; I try to move, but he acts fast as his expression turns cold and his smile fades into something cruel. His hand clutches my throat and I yelp, dropping the sword as I reach for his hold on me.

‘Darius,’ I gasp, my fingers clawing at his hand to free myself. ‘It’s me!’

He doesn’t loosen his grip, no matter the struggle, no matter the fear I have on my face as I plead with my eyes for him to let me go. He sees me as a threat and stares at me relentlessly, his eyes burning with a look of rage that I only ever witnessed when someone did him wrong . . . when someone would hurtmelike he is doing right now.

‘Darius!’ I cry again, this time tearfully. My eyes blur in a tumult of confusion and heartache as I desperately hold on to him.

The air seems to thin, draining me of all strength just as I feel his grip on my neck finally loosen and he collapses onto the floor, unconscious.

Gasping for air, I press my hands to my throat as the precious taste of oxygen fills my lungs back up, and I face Freya. She is panting and staring down at Darius with her mouth agape aspurple flames of magic dance around her outstretched palm. The violet gleam in her eyes soon fades as she looks up at me and asks, ‘Are you okay?’ while holding on to a small wooden chest with her other arm.

It is the stones I asked her to go in search of while we distracted Aurum.

From behind Freya, the swift footfalls of my brothers echo as they race towards us, their momentum halting abruptly as they take in the gravity of the situation. My gaze then drops to where Darius lies, and a collision of emotions barrels into me, disorienting my reality.

I don’t nod; I don’t say if I am okay. I simply lift my eyes and steady myself because I need to – because I can’t afford to waste time.

‘Let’s get him out of here.’ I cannot tell if I am even speaking. I’m still too dazed, but without hesitation, my brothers spring into action.

Idris and Iker seize Darius’s arms and begin dragging him away from the castle’s onslaught. I bring my thumb and forefinger to my mouth, a sharp whistle piercing the air as I aim it at Gus. He swivels his head, acknowledging me before his gaze slips to Darius, and he freezes.

The familiar ache I sensed mirrors across his countenance. His brows draw together in pained unity, and hesitation lingers on the corners of his lips before he averts his gaze, instructing the shifters to withdraw.

Surveying the crumbling surroundings, I search for Link and Rydan amidst the falling pillars and collapsing roof. Suddenly, a hand clamps on to my arm, instinctively prompting me to twist away, ready to deliver a defensive strike. It’s only when I recognise it is Rydan with Link behind him that relief washes over me. Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I follow his lead as he guides me towards the exit doors.

I cast a final glance over my shoulder just in time to witness Aurum by the throne chair, extending his index finger towards me. A sinister grin spreads across his face, making it a promise and a threat that this is far from over. And as the doors to Aurum’s castle seal shut behind us, I accept it, knowing that, at least right now, the stones are in my possession.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

‘Now, who might you be?’

I zone in and out of focus as Hira speaks from her throne. I watch as her lips move, as her fire eyes flame from anger and I do nothing to fix it.

‘Now, who might you be?’

My head slants to the side as another phoenix named Col, seated beside Hira on a winged throne, shakes her head in disapproval.

‘Now, who might you be?’

The third phoenix, Ara, can’t even look at me.

‘You disobeyed a direct order!’ Hira slams her staff against the marbled flooring, and I think she expects me to flinch, to react, to at least show how worried I should be. ‘Do you realise the dangers thatmypeople face now that you have the stones?’

Col scoffs. ‘Aurum won’t show mercy; he will come here, swords at the ready, to take back those stones and his nephew, and when he does, you know we cannot take any more responsibility. We’ve already risked too much by letting Hira take so many of you into our land.’

I bite the inside of my cheek. The thought has already crossed my mind one too many times. ‘The treaty no longer exists. If you choose not to fight, then you are no better than Aurum,’ I say, and I notice Hira shake her head at me.

‘You should never sacrifice yourself for love, Nara. It does not end well.’

What she says sparks something rageful inside of me, and I cannot tamp it down in time. ‘I didn’t just do it for love,’ I snap. ‘I did it for everyone.’

Hira’s steely gaze does not falter as I march towards the three Aerians seated in place.

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