Page 117 of Beneath the Flames
“But…I…do.”It took every bit of strength to push the words past my lips.
Maren leaned back to fully look me in the eye, brows flying up her forehead.
“I do…love you.”Barely a whisper, barely even out in the world.
“Rhydian…” Nico’s warning was quiet but laced with panic.
The flaming petal was shuttering, swinging precariously, a breath away from falling.
The decision made itself in that moment, the words flooding to my tongue, freed at last.
I faced Maren, taking her hands in mine.A flutter flitted through my stomach, and I was surprised I was capable of feeling such a thing.
Her eyes drew me in, and despite the fear shining in them, I could see how she felt about me too.It was more than I deserved.Moons, I didn’t deserve her love at all.I never had.
Once I was freed, Maren would never love me again.
In fact, I was certain she would despise me.
The thought ripped my heart to pieces.I despised that this was my fate.My eyes combed over every part of her face, memorizing each inch for as long as I was able to remember them.
I brought her hands to my lips, pressing a kiss to them,committing the feel of her skin to memory.At least I had this final moment.It wasn’t long enough, but it was worth it.
Holding her hands between mine, I tucked them into my chest.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the petal fall.
Time slowed.
“I love you, Maren.”
The petal hit the stone table.
A boom shuddered out.
And everything went black.
Aviolent quake shook the castle.
I wasn’t sure if that meant the curse was broken, or if it meant the words had come too late and now Eroth was collapsing.The floor swayed beneath me, and I struggled to stay on my feet.Nico stood a few feet away, barely affected by the trembling castle.
“What’s happening?”I shouted over the din.
“You did it,” he murmured, eyes wide as he stared at Rhydian, who stood there swaying on his feet, looking moments from passing out.
A sudden crack rent the ceiling in two, raining dust and pebbles on the room.
Confusion twisted my insides.If the curse had been broken, why did it feel like the castle was about to crumble around us?My gut told me something was terribly wrong.
Before I could react, Rhydian collapsed to the ground,turning white as a sheet.
“Rhydian?”I cupped his face in my hands.His skin was freezing cold, clammy with sweat.“What’s wrong?”
His eyes remained closed.I lightly patted his cheek, trying to wake him up to no avail.
I looked to Nico.“What’s wrong with him?”
For a minute, he just blinked at Rhydian, all the fear I was feeling reflected in his eyes.But then he cocked his head, and it disappeared, replaced by a fierce determination I’d never seen on his face before.
