Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,343

starting to return to her eyes and that gave me something small to hold onto. My gaze fell to the black handprint on her arm and my heart turned to dust.

“What has she done to you?” I dragged her closer, examining the mark, but Darcy reached for the wounds on my arms, sending healing magic out into my skin. Fear pressed in on me as I stared at her, not knowing what that vicious witch had done to her.

I just had to focus on the fact that she was alive, and here. Whatever curse had been put on her, I would break it. I vowed it on every constellation, every galaxy, the entire universe.

“I don’t know, but we have to get out of here.” She turned to look for her sister up in the stands, her eyes full of worry as a swarm of Nymphs raced towards us.

I readied myself for one last fight, sending healing magic through my veins, keeping her close as I moved to grab my sword.

I was exhausted and aching and running on fumes. But I would not give up. Clara may have been gone, but she was with the stars now. And I would grieve her later when this was done.

For now, I had to ensure no more of my loved ones were lost to our enemies.

M y mind was ablaze with visions of all the people I loved in this world falling prey to horrible twists of fate and my heartbeat thundered in my ears as the deep magic of this place seemed to drive its way right into my soul.

"Tell me," I growled. "What will it take to save them?"

"Sacrifice," the voice breathed, making the air around me tremble as countless runes illuminated on the walls surrounding me.

The hole in the rock suddenly released its grip on my arm and I stumbled back a few steps as I withdrew my bleeding hand. My magic returned to me as I stood panting before the huge stone and I felt like I’d run a marathon from whatever it had just done to me.

"Will you save them?" I demanded and a rustle moved through the room which almost sounded like distant laughter. My skin prickled as if a hundred eyes were on me but I couldn’t tear my gaze from the glowing stone before me.

"The life of a Fae means little to the stars. Fate changes, destiny isn't always set in stone. The gift on offer isn't life. It's freedom. A chance. A possibility to change the stars again."

I opened my mouth to ask what that meant as another vision filled my mind.

Roxy was fighting for my father, compelled to give everything she had in his defence by the bond he'd forced on her. But as I watched, she fell still, the Aries brand on her arm fading to nothing and her mind clearing of the bonds' control.

Her eyes flashed with power and vengeance, but the vision fell away before I could see that path play out. I was filled with one certainty though - if that happened then he wouldn't be able to stab her in the back, that possibility would be gone and her life would be saved. She would survive this day at least and right now I wasn’t sure how much more I could even hope for.

"One year," the voice breathed. "To love her like you ache to. To be the best of yourself. One year and no more."

"You want me to buy her life with my death?" I asked, my voice rough as I realised that was the price. That was what it would take to re-write the stars, save her life and release her from my Father's hold.

My heart pounded desperately within my chest as if I was standing looking my death in the eyes right now and a shiver of fear ran through me at the thought. I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. With her.

But if her fate was already decided and this was the only chance she had, then what other choice was there for me to make? If she died now, I may as well die anyway because I knew there was no joy in the world for me if she didn't exist anymore.

Solaria needed strong rulers, but Xavier could take my place on the Council. And she would have her sister after I was gone.

"All bonds?” I clarified as the visions of her dying pressed in on me again, warning me that time