Page 109 of The Bones of the Cursed
I give them a nod, and with a few muttered words, a glowing golden ring forms around us. One by one, each God and Goddess mutters a chant, a golden line of light shooting from them to me.I feel each thread as if it’s physically tied to my heart. A tight, pulling sensation emanates from my chest, like the tug and pull of a corset drawing tied.
I feel the bond between me and Malakai, deeper than I have ever felt it before. But another dull tug pulls at my chest. I just can’t pinpoint what it is. Malakai roars, breathing flame over every enemy that still remains. I’m not sure where Iclas has been through all of this. With my sacrifice, he will be so severely weakened that he can easily be killed. He will be nothing but mortal, and that alone grants me a sense of peace.
“I love you more than anything in this world. Tell Kailu how much I love him. I’m sorry we didn’t have more time. Forgive me. Kill Levi. Kill Iclas. Save this land.”
With my final words to Malakai, I focus everything on death. Ryta is chanting, the final Goddess to tie her bond to me. We have finally reached the end.
The ground shakes so hard I swear the temple may crack in half.
“ALANIS!” Malakai screams my name. My gaze latches on his, back in his human form. Kailu is fighting to get through the cracks in my spell using his powers, sword, and even fists, but by the time he does it will be too late.
Ryta connects to me, the golden thread tying to my chest. My body seizes. Instead of falling, my body is lifted from the ground. Pain radiates in every part of me. I’m unsure what is my pain and what is Mal’s, but I can hear him screaming my name even as it grows distant.
The deities’ murmurs grow until it becomes so loud it is just a hum in my ears. Stones crash from the ceiling. My father steps into the golden circle, placing a hand on my chest, right over my heart. His hand glows. Each deity steps forward one at a time, creating a cocoon around my body. When Ryta touches me, everything instantly fades to black.
No pain, no light.
Malakai’s screams fade. Kailu’s frantic shouts of my name go silent.
I no longer feel Mal.
I no longer feel fear.
A sense of peace washes over me.
- KAILU -
My body doesn’t feel like my own. I watch as Alanis is lifted into the air, golden tethers connecting her to the Gods and Goddesses.
My heart splinters in my chest. I try everything I can to get the shield she has over the temple to drop, but my efforts are in vain. No matter what I do, the thing won’t dissolve.
A pang resonates in my chest, this deep pull that ends with a sharp tug. I turn horror-filled eyes to Alanis.
No…
I felt it. It was only an instant, but I felt it. This tug pulling me towards her.
A mating bond.
I roar, doubling my efforts to get through the shield.
Malakai is lost in his grief, but she isn’t gone yet. We can still save her.
The tug disappears and fear slithers up my spine. Malakai is screaming and I can no longer hold myself up. I fall to my knees.
41
- MALAKAI -
THE LOOPHOLE
Iscream her name until my voice dies out. Pain radiates in every nerve of my body. It hurts to move. To breathe. To even think.
Listless, I watch the Gods and Goddesses disappear, her body limp and lifeless on the floor.
Only her father remains.
He glances up, his face completely devoid of any emotions. I feel the barrier I have been fighting all damn day fade away.
