Laesornysh, Death on the Wind.
And if someone didn’t stop this, then he would kill them all.
Essie straightened her shoulders. It was up to her. After all, she was immune to Farrendel’s magic. At least, small amounts of it. She wasn’t sure even Farrendel was immune to this much of his magic.
She tugged free of Edmund’s grip and dashed across the courtyard, hopping the fissures as she went.
When she was halfway across, Averett raced up to her and grabbed her arm. “Essie, no. You can’t go to him. It isn’t safe.”
“Of course it isn’t safe. But it’s a lot safer for me than anyone else.” Essie held Averett’s gaze, even as Weylind dashed up behind him. “I’m the only one who can snap him out of this.”
Averett’s grip tightened on her arm, as if he would refuse to let her go. “Essie...”
“He needs me, and if I don’t go to him, none of us are going to make it out of here.” Essie glanced from Averett to Weylind.
Weylind nodded, but his gaze swerved to Farrendel. “Averett Daresheni, she needs to go.”
Face twisting, Averett released her arm. He stepped forward, as if he planned to give Essie a hug, but Essie dodged him. She didn’t have time to waste. Nor was a hug goodbye necessary. Farrendel would never hurt her. Not even now. Of that she was certain.
Essie staggered across the uneven ground toward Farrendel. He was hunched on his knees under the force of all the magic. Blue bolts of power coursed beneath his skin.
Days ago, Essie had felt the immense power of Farrendel’s magic when it flowed through her. He usually only used as little of his magic as possible, fearful of what would happen if he released more than he could handle.
Apparently, he’d had good reason to worry.
The ground heaved, and Essie fell to her knees, scraping her hands on the rough stone. When she glanced over her shoulder, Weylind was hunched, roots springing from the ground to protect all three of Essie’s brothers. At the far end of the courtyard, the elven warriors held green shields over the Escarlish soldiers.
When Essie pushed to her feet and hurried forward again, pebbles crunched under her boots, and Farrendel’s head snapped up, his hand lifting as if to blast her with magic.
“Farrendel, it’s me.” Essie kept her voice even, calm. The crackle of magic against her skin escalated from a prickle to an uncomfortable scouring. Yet the magic didn’t tear her apart or disintegrate her where she stood.
“Essie.” Farrendel’s eyes were so filled with magic that the silver-blue of his eyes was no longer visible.
“It’s all right, Farrendel.” Essie knelt in front of him. After a moment, she reached out and rested her hands on his cheeks. Her skin prickled with magic, but it didn’t hurt.
“I cannot let them hurt anyone again.” Farrendel’s voice was strained. Sparks of power trickled down his cheek. “I cannot.”
“I know. But not like this.” Essie swiped away one of the magic sparks. It prickled against her finger but didn’t hurt. “You’re safe, and the trolls are defeated. It’s over.”
“I do not...I cannot...” Farrendel was trembling beneath her fingers. Magic lit his veins, glowing in the depths of his eyes.
Could Farrendel stop this? Was it possible he had unleashed so much magic, he could not rein it in?
This was too much for him to control by himself. But, perhaps, they could control it together.
“Then give it to me. Do whatever you did to pour your magic into the heart bond before. I don’t think I can wield your magic by myself, but I can hold a portion of it while you get the rest under control.” Essie tipped his chin so that he was looking at her, hard as it was to hold his magic-lit gaze. All this magic was fueled by his pain and anger after the torture he’d endured. He was stuck in that dungeon still, even though his body was free.
She needed to remind him of love. Happiness. The future they had together.
“It might hurt you.” Farrendel lifted a shaking hand, his fingers dripping bolts of magic. He stopped short of touching her.
She clasped his hand, a jolt of energy traveling through her. “It won’t.” She leaned her forehead against Farrendel’s. “Please. It’s time to come home.”
This time, Farrendel reached out and traced a hand over her cheek. Then, he leaned closer and kissed her.
Magic whirled about them, crackling through her hair and sparking in her chest. Or, perhaps, that was the kiss