Just as it made his winter powers stronger, it granted you the ability to give life instead of only death.”
“Cecile.” The connection clicks in my mind. “She has the same talent. Giving life.”
“Also from your shared mother, yes.”
I shake my head, then cut my eyes to the still-dancing magic. “You just made a deal with me knowing all the while that I didn’t have to make it!”
It shrugs then shimmies.
“I tried to warn you.” Delantis sighs. “Magic is wily.” Her white light glows brighter, her fingertips almost translucent. “It’s time for me to go and be with the Ancestors. Time for a rest.”
I hug her hard. “Thank you for everything.”
She strokes my hair. “I go to the Glowing Lands, but I’ll see you again.” Reaching behind her neck, she unfastens her soulstone and holds it out to me.
“I can’t take that.”
“It is mine to give.” She fastens it around my neck. “Wear it well, and remember me.” She presses her forehead to mine then backs away and begins to shine, her gryphon form emerging as she disappears in a bright flash of white.
I stroke the stone and swallow my tears for Delantis. She’s right. I will see her again. I can feel it in my heart. But right now, I have work to do.
I square my shoulders and face the magic. “Tell me how to get back. Do I just climb the rope?”
It stops dancing and motions me closer. “Come here, winter queen, and I’ll tell you a secret about the child of many worlds.”
I lean toward it, and the magic cups its hands next to my ear and whispers.
18
Leander
I hold her.
The walls quake with the ice of my fury and loss.
I hold her.
The ceiling cracks and falls in chunks, obliterating soldiers as my Phalanx jumps out of the way.
I hold her.
“Leander.” Beth rushes to my side, her wide eyes focused on my beloved. “She isn’t … Is she? Is she dead?” She takes Taylor’s hand and moans, her eyes filling with tears.
“We have to get out of here.” Valen wakes, his voice weak. “The mountain top is caving in.” He casts a glance up the stairs. “Shathinor is dead. It’s time to go.”
“Go.” I stroke Taylor’s cheek, wiping away the last of her tears.
“Leander, come—”
“Go, I said.” I don’t raise my voice. I don’t move to leave. I don’t do anything, except …
I hold her.
My love, my mate, my heart, my soul. Her end is also mine. I will go to the Ancestors with her. It’s not a road she should walk alone.
Gareth runs up, bloodied and battered, but alive. “Leander, if we stay here, we die.”
I look up at him, my hollow heart beating a funeral march. “Don’t you see? I’m already dead.”
“No.” He holds his hand out for me.
I don’t take it. “All of you go, leave this place now before it’s too late.”
Brannon and Thorn walk up the steps, both of them covered in gore with an injured Gray held between them. “We’re not leaving—”
“I command you as your king to leave me here. Go back to the winter realm. Choose a new king.”
“No.” Gareth reaches for me again. “You are not going to die here.”
“Did you not hear me, old friend?” I shake my head, and my loss is reflected in his barren face. “I’m already dead. Now, go. I command it. Your oath to me demands obedience.”
Beth wails and hugs Taylor tight, her heaving sobs telling of a loss almost as great as my own. And I suppose losing the only friend you ever had can break you almost as badly as losing a mate.
Gareth struggles to my side and sits on the stair next to me. “Go, friends. I will see our king to the Ancestors.”
“No, you won’t.” I jerk my chin at Beth. “This one needs your protection. Take her with you.”
“What will you do?” Gray asks as a hunk of ceiling shatters behind them, the mountain top shaking more violently.
I stroke Taylor’s face. “I will hold her. Now go. I demand it as your king, and I call on your sacred oaths to obey me.”
The tang of magic coats the air, and the oath takes hold. Gareth grits his teeth, but he rises, a trickle of blood flowing from his nose as he tries to fight his promise. But it’s too strong. The old magic binds us, enforcing his vow no matter how he wants to disobey.
“Leander.” His anguish should move me. It would have, before. But now? I can feel