Page 119 of Ecliptic

Realization shredded my soul as the blood drained from my face. He would try without me.

“Keira, what’s wrong?” Rowen asked, his thick brows creasing.

Oh no.I couldn’t risk Rowen feeling my agony through our bond. Instead, I shoved all the hurt, anger, and fury away fromour connection. I thought I was in the clear when Madds suddenly doubled over and grunted as if he’d been punched in the gut.

Rowen’s gaze shot to Maddock. “Madds?” He asked, concern engulfing his voice, but the thief of my Light and bond stared at me, his nostrils flaring.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, his hooded eyes snapping to Rowen.

“Erovos called you a lord,” I said, taking the attention away from Maddock, who looked like he was about to be sick. “Even he knows you are the rightful heir of Viltarran.”

Rowen faltered and lowered the letter. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“You can,” I said, grabbing his hands that held the scroll. “I know your strength and compassion; your integrity and ability to care for others. I’ve seen your sketches and heard the love in your voice when you speak of where you came from. You could restore it all and make a better future for your people.”

“A future?” he asked as if remembering a dream from another lifetime. He’d been in survival mode for so long, living each day on the brink of life and death. There was hardly a moment to contemplate what lay beyond the war. “Leones made comments, but I never thought he was serious. And I told him I didn’t want it.”

“Those who do not seek power are those who deserve it most,” Rayal said, her eyes softening at Rowen’s confession. “Look at the false queen and my step-uncle, going to any lengths to rule, much to the detriment of their people. Their laws hurt everyone but themselves, and they line their pockets no matter the cost paid in blood and lives. Those who can easily gain such power are the ones who should never have it.”

Thaydril shot back through the curtain of sand, carrying our weapons. “Here you go,” he said as we grabbed our rightfulpieces. A sense of completeness washed over me as Mithrion returned to my grip.

In the distance, the sound of rioting grew closer.

Thaydril parted the curtain of sand with a practiced motion. Nestled through the arch like a painting was a lush forest, brimming with greenery, mist, and morning dew.

A Hara’dune sunset blazed at my back while a Wyn sunrise flickered on my face.

“Time to go,” Thaydril said urgently.

“Good luck with your war,” the princess said, her eyes filled with regret. “I wish to the spirits I could help you.”

Dyani took the princess’s hand and bowed, placing a kiss upon her wrist. “I hope to see you again one day,” she said before backing into her forest.

“Yes, would love that,” Maddock said, following after her. “As long as there is no sand involved.”

Thaydril kept the connection between forest and desert open as I stepped through the arch.

“Keira,” Rowen said, grabbing my hand to stop me. The way he said my name made my heart drop into my stomach. His dark expression was tortured yet set with determination. “I need to find what’s left of Viltarran. I can unite my people now. The warriors I once commanded under Lord Leones’ rule might help us. We need more numbers.” He turned to the man who first welcomed us into Hara’dune. “Thaydril, can you help me get there?”

The Keeper of the Arch noted my look of utter shock, then pivoted to Rowen and nodded. “I can, but we must hurry.”

“I can’t bear to be away from you,” Rowen said as he stood on golden sand and I upon moss. “You are my reason for living, the oxygen that keeps me breathing, and the fire that keeps me fighting. But I must?—”

“I know,” I said, our bodies standing a world apart yetclutching each other through the Eye of the Sun. “And I need to be here.”

“I will come back with help. I promise you,” he said before kissing me with an intensity that stole the breath from my lungs.

He pulled his lips from mine, the shadows in his eyes darkening. It looked as though he were pulling away from life itself. His green gaze shot to Maddock with a frightening intensity. “Take care of her.”

“You know I will,” Madds promised, his voice deep and resounding.

“Okay. It’s really time to go,” Thaydril urged, glancing over his shoulder at the approaching guards.

Rowen clutched my cheek and wiped a tear with his thumb. I didn’t even know I was crying. “I will bring armies to your feet,” he whispered to me. “Let’s get through this war, and I will rule cities with you, make a better world with you, and worship you like the goddess you are.”

For a heartbeat, I thought about telling him everything, but then, the Earth shook as I’d never felt it shake before. The ground trembled like the world was ripping apart.

“Erovos!” I cried, my and Rowen’s eyes locking onto each other. “He’ll go back to Indrasyl!”

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