Page 106 of Soul of Thorns
“No,” I echo, and she relaxes against me once more.
“You haven’t even heard the deal.”
“Why would you make a deal? You have us where you want us, don’t you?”
“I am confident in our ability to win this war once and for all. But I wouldn’t mind... speeding up the process.” Her eyes flicker to the blade in my hand.
I could end it now, I realize. That’s what she’s afraid of. If I carve Caelynn’s heart out now, her hope would be lost. We would both die. But they would lose.
That is what Caelynn wants.
“If you were brave enough, perhaps you could sabotage us just before your death,” the Night Terror admits. “But there is another option.”
Brave enough. Am I brave enough to kill her? Am I strong enough to take her life like I’d promised so long ago? Now that I know who she is. Now that she is mine.
“Use the spell book,” the Night Terror says with a smooth voice. Tempting. Taunting. “She has it in her bag.”
My eyes flash to a bag hanging off of her shoulder. She has it? She reached it?
“Break the curse. Free us.”
My mouth falls open, eyes wide, stomach twisting. “Wh-what?”
“Open it. Use your soul stone...”
I open my palm to stare at the flickering gold and black light inside the Lumistone. Is this what she means? “I thought... I thought only Caelynn had the power to break the curse?”
“Yessss,” the Night Terror hisses. She crouches down, lowering herself. “But your mate connection allows you certain... abilities. You can use enough of her magic to unlock the spell book and use its power.”
I blink. And release the Night Terror from her prison.
That’s what Caelynn’s wraith was talking about.
“You heard the bargain I offered the foolish wraith, yes? I am generous. Free us, and you can have all you desire.”
I frown.
“I will allow you a happy life with your mate. A long life. With children, if you wish. No more running. No more fear.”
My stomach twists, hope flutters in my chest again.
It couldn’t be that easy...
“Name your terms, princeling. Consider what you could gain.”
I don’t dare look her in the eyes, but I do consider. If I were to complete a magical bargain, they couldn’t touch us. Ever. “
“You would be bound if I freed you—,” I mutter, unsure if I’m talking hypothetically or... not. “You and your mate would never touch Caelynn or me ever again. You’d never order anyone to attack us. You’d never hurt us, directly or indirectly. And the same promise will hold for any children either of us may have.”
“Yessss.” She shivers eagerly, but my head is screaming not to do it. My heart is screaming to do anything to save her.
What will they do if freed? How many will die because of their terror? How many more lives shattered?
I look down at my lovely shadow fae. No one has ever chosen her.
Tears stream down my cheeks at all she’s endured. The loneliness. The grief. The guilt. She believes herself worthless. It’s why her soul has faltered so deeply.
This is how it will end.
