Her name in my thoughts produces an arrow of emotion, spiraling through my wall. She’s getting closer to the sword. Closer to her ruin. Closer to her death ...
I quickly snuff the thoughts and feelings out.
A loud crack reaches me. That’s ... new. It must be a trap we didn’t see before. One we didn’t account for.
I look over my shoulder, telling myself I only care about the sword being claimed. The curse being broken.
That’s when I see the dragon isn’t chasing me anymore.
No. It’s hurtling back toward the cave.
Towardher.
And I run. I run faster than I did when I was being chased, I run towardher, still telling myself that I am simply ensuring the plan works, simply playing my role.
She’s almost there. She’s right in front of the pile of treasure, leaning toward the sword, oblivious to the dragon that has reached the entrance.
The dragon roars.
Fire follows.
No.
No.
No wall in this world could keep my emotions in check, at seeing the fire race to engulf her. No wall could stand between me and her, could remain steady between our souls.
I am lying to myself if I think I could ever live without her.
Time seems to stand still, as I watch flames fill the cave. As I watch them inch toward my heart. My life. The only person who has ever seen who I am beyond the blood on my hands, the only person who has dragged me back from the abyss, the only person I would want by my side until the end of time.
The walls around my emotions turn to ash as my feelings for her overtake them.
My shadows lash out, suffocating the flames, shielding her, protecting her,choosingher.
And, as it senses my powers, the sword vanishes.
I don’t care. I don’t even look for it. I just look at her, standing there. We stare at each other, eyes wide, as the dragon bellows, and I portal us away.
I leave her in her room without another word. I need to clear my head. I need to see if I might feel any ounce of regret.
But I don’t.
What have I done?
Exactly what I knew I would.
Exactly what I thought I was strong enough to avoid.
I chose her. Over my people. Over everything I have been taught to care about. Over myself.
I think I chose her a long time ago. It wasn’t until now that I actually admitted it. My realm will die.Iwill die.
But she won’t.
And the world will be better for it.
I feel shame. I feel fear.
