Page 108 of Queen of Thorns
Rev stares at me, eyes wide.
“Even when I was drowning in my own darkness—whenhisinfection was spreading—your light was growing. And that light is what saved me from that terrible fate. Despite your own pain and anger, you chose me in a way no one ever has.”
His eyes search mine, seeking to understand.
“But even despite all of that,” I tell him, my voice hoarse, “I am still not free.”
“Caelynn,” he whispers.
“I have so much more to fight for. I have joy and purpose and love and friendship, but I am still trapped. Ineedthe Night Bringer to be defeated. I don’t care how or at what it cost. Because I will never be free while his soul continues to exist in this world.”
Rev swallows. He shakes his head slowly, but his eyes soften in understanding.
We sit in stillness for a long while, just holding each other. “Okay,” he finally whispers. “We’ll do this together then.”
“What?”
“If you feel you have to do this, I understand. But I won’t let you do it alone.” He turns to the sky. “You will take us both. Or neither.”
The light pulses with a soft chuckle. “I require no lives, children. You have passed your final test.”
Rev
“What?” Caelynn says.
“You asshole! Why would you do that?”
“I did not say I would take her life. Only that she must offer it.”
“So... So, you only needed me to be willing?” She asks dubiously.
“The test was never about you giving your life. I knew from the moment you stepped into my presence you were willing to die for your cause.”
“Then, what was the test?”
“Leaving your mate behind to do it.”
