Page 92 of The Eternal Mirror
“How long until he wakes?” I ask, nudging Killian with my toe.
She whispers some words, and his eyes blink open; a moment later, Killian is back.
He shakes himself. “What the fuck just happened?”
“You met Khaosti’s dad. Nice guy, isn’t he?”
A shudder runs through him. “It felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside out.”
“Are you okay now? Can you walk?”
He pushes himself to his feet. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Good.” I turn to Sheela. “We’re fifteen minutes out. Can they make it?”
“If we go slowly.”
We can do that. “Okay then, let’s go...home?”
I suppose it is our home, at least for the foreseeable future. Though we’re going to have to make some decisions about what to do next.
Killian bends down to pick up his witch again. But I know she didn’t make it—that there was never really a chance. You can’t save everyone. I’m sure someone said that to me once, but I obviously didn’t take it to heart. As he straightens, I look at him and shake my head; his eyes go bleak, but he tightens his grip. At least we can give her a decent burial, lay her to rest. I always thought that was a strange saying. But I suppose it will be a rest after everything she’s been through for so long.
Khaosti is carrying his witch again. He falls in behind me as I set off. I can feel his eyes burning into my shoulder blades. I can sense his...concern maybe, through the bond. He’s probably picking up my guilt and wondering what it is I feel so guilty about. I should have just told him I love him back. It’s true. I’m just not sure I want to love him. I’m emotionally drained. I realize that. And maybe I’ll feel different if I wait long enough. Like a thousand years.
I think of everyone I’ve lost: Khendril, Hecate, my father and mother—because I did lose them. They were taken from me. What would I be like if Khronus had never done his cruel spell? Fury… Awave of sadness washes over me as I think of Fury. So brave, fierce, and damaged. Like Khaosti. Like me.
I wish I could be a better person for him. That I could help him mend, but I’m as broken as he is. Maybe more so.
Suddenly, I’m filled with a sense of restlessness. I need to move. I need the freedom that comes with flight. I turn to Khaos. “I’m going to go ahead. Warn them we’re coming in.”
I think he’s going to argue, but he must see something in my face because he gives a quick nod.
I reach inside myself and find my alicorn. She awakens. She’s in a frenzy herself, wanting to be free.
Frenzy. I’m going to call her Frenzy.
I relax and let the shift flow over me. Moments later, I’m launching myself into the sky. I hear gasps behind me, but I don’t look back. I just head up and up. I wonder how far I could fly, whether I could reach the stars.
I’m so tempted.
Maybe one day. But right now, I can see the lights of the encampment up ahead, partly hidden behind a low range of hills.
I circle the camp once, hearing the shout below as someone looks up and spots me. Then more cries. I don’t think they’ll shoot at me. At least I hope they won’t. I’ll be pretty pissed off if they do.
I fly lower, spot a place in the center of the camp, and come in to land. Within seconds, there’s a circle around me. Then, as one, they fall to their knees.
Well, not all of them. There are a few left standing. I see Zayne, smirking. He knows how much I love to be worshiped. I stamp myhoof and toss my head, my pretty pointy horn flashing in the lights from the fires. Then I will the shift over me, and I’m back.
Something hurtles through the kneeling crowd, and Josh hurls himself at me. I wrap my arms around him and hug him close. I touch something hard and realize Grimlet is on his shoulder, and I hug him as well.
Zayne walks toward me, coming to a halt a foot away. “Did you miss me?” I ask.
“Not for a moment.”
I search his face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m better.”
