Page 235 of Emylia

I managed two words. “Fiery death.”

Her eyes went wide. “You could die?”

“It’s okay,” I said softly, reaching for calm I didn’t feel. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

She didn’t look convinced.

Honestly? None of us were.

“Stay here,” I said, cupping her cheek. “Pack your stuff. We’ll be back in no time.”

“Emmie, please don’t go. I just got you back.”

I pulled her into my arms, squeezing her so tightly it felt like I was trying to tether myself to this moment. To her.

“I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re not,” she whispered, voice trembling. “I’ll learn magik. I’ll ride to the gates of Elinthia myself–tear it apart if I have to–just to bring you back.” She paused, breath shaking. My heart shuttered.

“Then I’ll kill you myself–for having the audacity to leave me again. Or for making me cross kingdoms just to undo your stupidity.”

A laugh broke from me—brittle, but real. “I wouldloveto see the day I cower beforeyourmagik.”

Her breath hitched–then tore free, jagged and breathless, like her heart had splintered with it. “Losing you isn’t something I’d survive–and you damn well know it.”

Tears stung my eyes before I could stop them, blurring everything but her voice. My heart shattered—loud and violent in my chest—as if her pain had carved straight through it. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Because what do you say to someone willing to burn the world down just to bring you back?

I didn’t speak.

I couldn’t.

I just stepped forward, wrapped my arms around her—and held on like it was the only thing keeping either of us from breaking completely.

She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, hers shimmering. “I promise you, Emmie—if I ever lose you, nothing will stop my fury.”

The way she said it hollowed something inside me.

Maybe I’d rubbed off on her a little too much.

I gave her one last squeeze, then turned toward the door.

And left.

I really, really hoped I’d be coming back from this.

Preferably alive.

ChapterFifty-One

My breathing was loud—too loud. Each inhale echoed in my ears like a warning. I forced myself to focus, to center. My gaze drifted across the clearing to where my mother stood, far enough that Ihopedshe’d be safe. But deep down, I knew better.

There might never be a distance great enough to protect anyone from what lived inside me. From the power now pulsing through my veins.

I closed my eyes, hyper-aware of the way Maalikai's and Sebastian’s gazes clung to me—silent, ready, like predators circling the unknown. I didn’t need to look to know they’d leap into the flames if I lost control. Even if it killed them, they would always choose to save me.

But this was fire magik. If I slipped, there’d be nothing left of metosave. It would eviscerate me.

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