Page 24 of Winds of Darkness
Her breath caught at the first glimpse of blue from the archway. She went to take a step forward, but he stopped her.
“Take off your shoes,” he said, nodding at her feet. “Feel the sand between your toes.”
She smiled up at him, the smile that hadn’t left her face since he’d mentioned the sun. The smile he’d sworn he would see when he had set out to take her from here all those years ago.
Her shoes in one hand, he took her hand in the other and led her outside. He felt her suck in a deep breath as they stepped out onto the sand, and when they had moved down the beach, away from the cliffs, she stopped and tipped her face to the sky. The sun had just moved above the horizon, bathing everything in a morning glow.
He slipped one of his medallions from his pocket. He still carried them with him out of habit, and he was glad he had them today. They would give him just enough ashes to send a message to the merchant ships. He turned back to Aravis after he had sent the message off, intending to tell her what the plan was now, but—
He dropped to his knees where she was lying in the sand, staring up at the blue sky. She was pale, which was to be expected after living inside cliffs for decades, but the blood running from her ears, her nose, her mouth …
“What is wrong? What’s happening?” Rayner demanded, not knowing what he was looking for to be able to help her.
She stared up at him, the smile still on her face. “I am bound here by the wards,” she rasped softly, reaching for his hand.
“No,” he said fiercely, squeezing her fingers. “I took the wards from her. I control them now. I say you can be free of them.”
Her smile turned soft, and she lifted her other arm. A Mark stood out starkly on her forearm, just below the crook of her elbow. “When you left, she gave me this. Should you ever try to take me from here, it would kill me. It is separate from the other wards, Rayner.”
“No,” he growled again, gathering her into his arms. “I will take you back inside. I will find a way to break the Mark, and then—”
Her fingertips were pressing to his lips. “I knew what would happen when I stepped onto this beach, Rayner.”
“You didn’t say anything. You didn’t—” He swallowed thickly, realizing his face was wet. Tears were coursing down his face. “Why didn’t you say anything?” he rasped, wiping the blood from beneath her nose with the corner of his cloak still wrapped around her.
“Because I am tired, Rayner,” she answered, eyes going back up to the sky. “I do not wish to live another day inside those cliffs.”
“Just until I can find a way to counteract the Mark,” he insisted. “Please, Aravis. Please don’t do this. All of this has been for you. You and Breya. I couldn’t save Breya. Let me save you. Please.”
She cupped his cheek, grey eyes settling back on him. “I do not wish to live with these memories another day. You did save me, Rayner. You got me out. Now let me be free. Please.”
Two tears slid down her cheeks, her thumb brushing along his jaw. He gathered her against his chest, pressing his face into her hair. “I’m sorry, Aravis. I’m sorry I took so long.”
“You did not fail me, Rayner,” she murmured. “You have saved hundreds of innocent people from terrible things. You have taken horrible people from this world. You killed the Baroness so no one else will suffer. You have not failed, Rayner.”
He could hear her heart slowing, feel her breaths getting shallower.
“Please let me try, Aravis,” he begged. “Let me take you back—”
But she was shaking her head. “I wish to cross the Veil where I can see the sun, Rayner. Please.”
He stared down at her for the longest moment, and when he finally nodded, he felt her relax with relief. He shifted them so he could still hold her and she could still see the sky.
“Promise me something, Rayner,” she said softly, squeezing his fingers.
“Anything,” he answered hoarsely.
“You have done what you set out to do. You have liberated those beneath the cliffs. You have ended Moranna. You have saved me. When you have finished with those inside, let the Reaper die here with me. Only let him rise again to save your family.”
“Youare my family,” Rayner answered, resting his cheek against the top of her head.
“Then promise me you will find another family. People to love as fiercely as you have loved me and Breya. Promise me that—” She paused, her entire body shuddering. He knew she only had a few breaths left. “Promise me you will move on from this nightmare.”
“Some nightmares never end,” he murmured through his tears.
“Yours will,” she countered gently. “If you let it. Promise me you won’t be alone anymore, Rayner.”
“I promise, Aravis,” he whispered. “I promise.”
