Page 117 of Queen of Thorns
Another blast of light streaks toward the wolfish beast and the Night Terror. There is a roaring snarl, a piercing scream, and cataclysm of exploding power.
I am thrown back, but this time, despite my blindness and the paralyzing fear, I scramble back toward Rev without even a pause. “Keep going,” the spell book coaches me. “Forward. You’re going the right way.”
I follow his quiet encouragement, the water rushing out and pulling me even faster. Soon, it’s shallow enough I can wade my way forward. My vision slowly returns, and I follow the tiny flare of our mating bond barely pulsing with life.
“Rev,” I whisper again, but there is no taunting laughter left. No preternatural screams or world-shattering clashes. There is the gentle rush of water and my cries.
Nothing else.
Finally, I see Rev’s form lying limp in the water, only inches deep now. I turn him over, so he is face up, then I freeze. He’s pale. His lips blue.
I can’t move for what feels like an eternity.
Hands shaking, finally I press my palms to his chest. There are large puncture marks over much of his body, his silver and gold tunic ripped to shreds. His chest does not rise.
He’s not breathing.
Blinking back my desperate tears, I claw at his chest. “No, no, no, no.”
“Child,” a deep yet soft voice says. Uncomfortable warmth hits my back, white light streaking down at me.
“Save him,” I beg. “You can save him, right? You said you cared. I heard you. You...”
“I am able to bring him back,” the king says, and I blink, thinking I didn’t hear him correctly.
“Then, do it!” I yell.
“You must first understand the repercussions. I can bring him back, but it will require much of my magic. Magic I will not get back.”
“Please, please,” I chant. I look around as my vision finally clears completely. A massive, warped tree lies on its side, twisted and deformed. The Night Terror. Beside her is the wolfish beast. Both dead.
“I killed three of the four ancients in that battle, but the Night Bringer fled.”
Fled. The Night Bringer fled. He’s alive and not here.
“If I bring your mate back from beyond, I will no longer have the ability to defeat him.”
“No,” I whisper. I can be free from my monster, or I can save my mate. “You cannot force me to make that choice.”
“I’m very sorry, Caelynn. But there is no other option.”
I shake my head, tears blurring my vision, and I pull Rev’s limp body into my arms, holding the cold skin of his cheek against my chest. I scream into the sky.
I know everything that is precious to you. And I will take it away bit by bit.
“He was right,” I whimper, rocking Rev’s lifeless body back and forth.
I could choose to save Rev here and now. I could bring him back and heal his broken body. But to what end? The Night Bringer would remain. He would continue to hunt us both. He would destroy my court and my friends. And he would find a way to kill us both.
Saving Rev would leave the entire realm in darkness.
Not saving Rev will leave me in darkness.
