Page 41 of Urn My Love

August

I crumpled the paper and tossed it on the bed, then thought better of it and smoothed the paper. This was a letter I would probably reread hundreds of times.

Tears leaked down my cheeks. He had truly left this time, and he’d done it without giving me a chance to say goodbye.

“Because he knew you could convince him to stay.” Jazriel pulled me to my feet and hugged me.

I would have time to grieve this loss later, but it was time to focus on my job. Closing my eyes, I called on the magic that the first phoenix had used to create me—for the sole purpose of protecting those who relied on me and keeping Cucalas safe.

I’d never failed, and tonight would be no exception.

Wiping my eyes, I straightened my spine and drew my royalty around me.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Opening the glass balcony door, we stepped outside and spread our wings. I needed to be away from prying eyes and distractions. With a nod, we took to the cool night sky.

I kneeled in damp forest floor in a small meadow. Towering trees circled us, and looking up, I could see a star-studded sky.

“How can I help you without getting in your way?” Jazriel asked.

I pulled off my shirt. “Put your hands on my shoulders. The skin-to-skin contact should make it easier for me to pull the energy I need.”

Without questioning me, Jazriel rested his palms on my shoulders. “I’m going to start drawing energy from the flares. Are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, I released it, along with all my doubts and tension. “I’m ready.”

Clearing my thoughts, I buried my fingers in the dirt. I called my magic, letting it build in my chest, but not releasing it. My skin began to glow as my body struggled to hold on to the ball of energy.

With a shout, I released the magic. It spread out from me like ripples around a stone dropped in a pond. The veil wobbled dangerously, and my stomach clenched when I realized how close we were cutting it.

Once my magic connected with the veil between the world I ruled and the world I was currently in, I began pouring my magic into it. The veil soaked up the energy like a plant in a drought.

Digging deep, I continued to send magic surging into it. Fire spread across my skin as my temperature climbed and I blinked away the sweat burning my eyes.

I was giving my all, but it was a drop in the bucket of what I needed. It was time to accept my mate’s help.

Finding our bond, I opened myself fully to him. Untamed energy blasted into me, ricochetting around inside my body and burning what it touched. The sudden shock of pain caused me to lose focus, and the veil began to wobble.

No, no, no!

I refused to lose the progress I’d made. Ignoring the searing pain, I focused on letting Jazriel’s magic surge straight through me and into the veil. This worked, and the steady flow of powerful energy began weaving through the very fabric of the veil.

I was so thrilled I barely paid attention to the scent of smoke in my nose and the way my lungs struggled to inflate. Fire had never been a danger for me, but this level of pure solar energy was unlike any power I’d touched before.

A knife sliced across my arm, and I hissed in pain. A heartbeat later, it sliced my cheek, and then my bare stomach. Looking down, I stared in confusion at the trickle of blood dripping down my abdomen.

“Something is here. It bears the mark of your magic, but beneath that, it is pure malevolence,” Jazriel whispered.

“Azurea,” I said through clenched teeth, still trying to keep focused so the flow of magic wouldn’t be disrupted. “I thought she might come, but I didn’t think she would have found enough energy to launch a physical attack.”

Azurea’s invisible nails sliced into my thigh, and a moment later raked across my breasts. I could fight her, but that would mean losing focus on the veil and possibly undoing the work that had been done.

“I can’t direct my power at her while funneling energy from the sun or I could destroy this entire state. What do you want me to do?” Jazriel asked, his voice strained.

“Focus on the energy and ignore her.” Clenching my jaw to keep from crying out, I let the soulless phoenix continue to tear at my flesh.

I could heal myself later. It was more important that I fixed the veil.

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