Page 8 of Immortal Alliance

“Because hope is all we have left.”

I dip my head low and press my lips against hers. Those warm, soft hands which have given my body so much pleasure trail up my shoulders and lace behind my head. Breathless gasps float between our mouths. The kiss is slow and gentle, but no less passionate than the embraces we’ve shared in the throes of ecstasy. She slides her tongue against mine and whimpers in the dark. I feel her dark and seductive power with each brush of her lips, and I taste the seduction on her tongue.

We break away and I reach up to push a lock of white hair behind her ear. Just behind the white hair is a tendril of pure black—a reminder that Eilish still needs to feed the lightness within her, or else she risks the darkness taking over.

Pressing her hand to the center of my chest, she licks her lips suggestively. I stare into her endless cerulean gaze until there’s nothing left but us.

“I will have hope, Eilish. And I will pray to whatever gods are still out there that the destruction of the worlds doesn’t come by our hands.”

“There’s so much goodness left in the realms,” she answers, her voice small. “I see that now, Dragan, and I don’t believe it will be by our hands that more suffering is unleashed.”

I kiss her once more as the others begin to stir.

Leaving Eilish beside the water, I walk back to the place where our group slept through the night. Baron grumbles something under his breath and kicks the snoring mass of satyr flesh beside him. Kolvar jumps up with a startled bellow, causing my sensitive ears to ring. As the group awakens one by one, the planning can finally begin.

***

EILISH

The Echoing Spire

I feel the presence of a Sentinel beside me. It hovers like a shadow in the darkness, silently watching as I stare into the wellspring of energy. The presence of the enigmatic being is somewhat comforting. I turn to face the hooded figure, still intrigued by its ghoulish, insect-like features. A gnarled hand reaches toward me from the sleeve of its robe. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I allow it to touch me. A hissing voice enters my mind, and I wonder if this is the way most creatures in the Veil communicate.

Eilish…You must follow your instinct. It is you who will shape the realms,the voice whispers.

I cringe at the sensation. The physical feeling is a nagging tingle between my ears that crawls across the inside of my skull.

Find your purpose.

What if I don’t know what my purpose is?I think in response.

Sometimes, the path ahead can only delineate itself when it’s set against the dark memories of the past.

The Sentinel materializes a thick leather book from the air and hands it to me. The book feels heavy in my hands. I flip through the yellowed pages and look up at the creature in question when I find the pages empty.

Why have you given me this? It’s an empty book?

Write,instructs the voice.Chronicle your journey so others may learn from your trials and accomplishments. You are no longer a lost girl, Eilish. Become the woman you were always meant to be. Take back the honor they took from you.

The Sentinel breaks our connection and joins the others of his order and the book dissolves into my hands, gone just as quickly as it appeared. Pyre passes the creature and they share a nod of acknowledgment before Pyre comes to stand before me. His sightless eyes reflect the swirling magic of this place.

“Did you,” I start as I watch the Sentinel walk back to the others of his kind.

Pyre nods. “I heard everything that passed between you both. And before you say anything on the matter, no, I don’t believe Cambion is guilty of betraying us. I’m upset I lost my home and things I hold dear. But I don’t blame Cambion for my losses.”

I smile up at him because I appreciate his trust in Cambion. And I’m relieved to know he agrees with me. “We’re the only ones who feel that way.”

“Baron understands, but his anger is yet too fresh,” Pyre says with another brief nod. Then he looks at something in the distance before glancing back at me. His expression softens. “The Sentinels respect you now, Eilish. They watch and know everything and they believe you’re proving yourself to be worthy of this quest. Establishing peace must be our priority.” He takes a breath. “That is a great honor.”

“Honor or not, we need allies, Pyre,” I say on a breath. “With Cambion and Aima gone, there isn’t much we can do about any quests.” I pause as I inhale deeply. “Kolvar offered us the aid of his clan and I think we should consider it.”

“As do I.”

I nod. “And I don’t know what the others think about liberating theThrest, but I can’t leave those poor fae in the hands of Morrigan and Variant...”

Of one thing I’m sure, Variant isn’t himself. He’s under the thrall of Morrigan and I don’t believe he can be held accountable for the atrocities that have occurred in his name. Atrocities that, most recently, include the murder of fae women and children. I know Dragan and Baron don’t agree with me, but they don’t understand the truth—they didn’t see the vision I did. Variant is trapped within his own body, just as Theren is. The two of them fell victim to Morrigan’s magic and she’s been controlling them both.

“I agree we need allies,” Pyre says, his white and sightless eyes glowing. “And I’m certain the fae will be grateful to learn they haven’t been forsaken to the oppression of Variant. But, liberating theThrestwill be no easy feat, Eilish.” He takes a deep breath. “There will be orcs and demons guarding that horrible place. Going at this alone would be foolish.”

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