Page 122 of When Storms Ruin

My heart was torn in two as my magic filled me, pressing against my skin so forcefully that I felt as if I could hover over the ground with only the storm energy itself.

A sob wracked my body as that small piece of Nik from the binding ceremony became smaller and smaller inside of me until I couldn’t feel it at all anymore. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fell towards the cobblestone, my hands out before me to break my fall. My nails dug into the cobblestones so hard that they bled. A cry escaped me as the Noctani above him turned, retreating down the street.

I wanted to run after it, to run it through with my blade, but I couldn’t move.

Couldn’t breathe.

I could feel my heart shattering into a million fragmented pieces as Nik set his shoulders, cracking his neck. He moved to his feet, his head still hung before him, his face obscured. The rain stung my skin violently, each drop a knife against my skin.

We had only hadone week.

For one week, we werebound.

For one week, we werehappy.

For one week, I had pictured a life for us…together. After all of this.

And it only tookone momentfor all of those hopes and dreams to beshattered. Torn apart.

My magic was no longer under control, spiraling wildly as the storm above us raged with immense power.

The binding was broken.

I had no hope of controlling this storm now. The storm raged overhead, but it wasn’t mine any longer. The storm magic filled me to the brim, my vision going white as I tried to hold it in. I didn’t want to hurt anyone else. I couldn’t. I wasn’t in control.

Nik’s lips curved into a sinister smile as he lifted his head. My heart was in my throat, the overwhelming need to retch filling my every thought.

Nik’s skin was a glass-like milky white, chalky and colorless. His lips were turned into a smile around his sharp white fangs, his gaze finding mine.

A gasp escaped me as I realized the striking blue color was gone.

In its place was endless, lifeless black.

My nails were scratched bloody, my heart shattered and fragmented. I was covered in ichor, the storm around us raging without mercy.

Nik was Noctani.

As the rain fell violently around us, a sob tore through me.

My magic detonated, and the last thing I saw was Nik’s black, lifeless eyes as the world went white.

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