Page 51 of Bound by Secret (The Queen's Consorts 2)

All at once the color returned to her face. The glowing gem seemed to almost vibrate. Pulsing with red and orange light before it shattered like glass into a million tiny pieces, scattering to the earth like sand.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Liana

Istood in the woods, looking up at a sky on the verge of breaking with dawn. I wasn’t sure how I’d got there. Or what I was doing all alone. It wasn’t the isle, that much I could tell. But—

A whimpering sob behind me and I spun, looking for an attacker. My heart froze solid in my chest. I was there, laying in the molting leaves on the earth. Pale—blood splattered over my skin as though it were canvas. And around me were males. One with wings sat with his head between his knees, staring at his own hands as though they held the answers to life.

Another winged one cried softly at my side. And yet another paced through the trees, his body shaking. And the last one knelt in absolute silence and stillness, staring at my corpse with something like acceptance, and maybe longing—as though he was in a nightmare, but would soon wake.

This is a strange dream.

And then it all came rushing back. I broke the surface of my memories, and with my first breath, it was all clear. My hand flew to cover my mouth. This wasn’t a dream at all. It was real. I had died.

I am dead.

But that wasn’t why I sobbed. They were alive.Allof them were alive. “I’m sorry,” I whispered to them, “I wish I could’ve stayed. I tried.” And I did. I had tried so hard to heal my broken body and stay conscious. But the darkness had pulled, and it was peaceful. Welcoming.

“It’s alright,” she said from behind me and I turned, knowing the voice in an instant, “Come,” Morgana said, and I rushed to her open arms. She embraced me as a mother would a daughter. A feeling I had never known. I cried harder. She hushed me, rocking gently back and forth.

And then I remembered. I pulled back from Morgana. If I was dead, then, “Where’s Aisling? Is she here, too?”

She shook her head, her long dark hair floating around her as though we were under water. “Do not worry, my child. You will see her again soon.”

I turned to behold my males. My warriors. My kings. Swallowed back the selfish thought that I would never touch them again. Never see them smile. “I’m sorry I failed you.” I hung my head.

She cupped my chin in her strong, soft hand. Lifted my gaze to hers, and I watched the color of her iris’ shift, just like mine, “It was a heavy burden to bare. You did well. I am proud. But no, Liana, you haven’t failed me—not yet.”

I didn’t understand. How could I still do what she asked of me?

It all made sense then. Why she Graced me with her power. Whynowthose Graces needed to be wielded. It was to destroy her father once and for all. But those Graces had died with me.

“You never took it off. My ring,” she said, and I looked to where it still adorned the finger of my lifeless body.

“You can go back if you wanted to. That ring will revive you. Or you can come with me and be at peace.Iwasn’t offered a choice when the Graces fell to me, and so I will not force the duty upon you.”

Looking at the faces of my warriors—I knew, and I think Morgana did too. I didn’t need to be asked. It was my duty to protect my court, if given the choice, I would have gone back for that reason alone. But forthem, I would set the world on fire. I would do anything.

I couldn’t go back, not yet. I still had so many questions for her. “Morgana,” I started, but then Alaric stood.

“Take me back,” he said, and the meaning of his words sunk into my skin like poison.

He wouldn’t.

“Take. Me. Back,” he said again.

“We finish this, tonight,” said Kade, his eyes glowing.

“We owe her that much,” Finn added.

And Tiernan nodded his ascent, and I thought I’d never seen so much anger—so much pain in someone’s eyes before.

“No,” I said, “They can’t. They’ll die.” I watched in a panic, wanting to stop them, but knowing on this side—the side of those who’d died, I could do nothing.

“They know,” Morgana said, “And yet they’ll go. It is what my own males would have done to avenge me, too.”

I barely heard her, I needed to get back.Now.

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