Page 186 of Quicksilver
“You're not breaking your promise to me,I countered.“You swore you'd never take away my free will again. That's what you'll be doing if you heal me and die in the process. I don't want to take your soul.”
“I can handle the consequences of breaking a promise if it means you live,” he said out loud.
“You said in your letter that we'd have time after this life. That there was more for us.”
“There will be.” He nodded, as if he thought he was comforting me. That he would be waiting for me no matter what. But he'd misunderstood.
“There won't. I told you I'd never forgive you if you forced me to do something I didn't want to do again. Never is a long time, Fisher. If you sacrifice yourself for me, I'll reject our bond in this life and the next.”
I hated how bereft he looked. But I meant it. Fisher had spent his whole adult life sacrificing himself for those around him. I would rather die than have him sacrifice himself for me.
“We're running out of time,” Taladaius said. “There's another way, and you know it.”
“No,”Fisher snapped.
Malcolm's silver-haired second huffed in frustration. “When will you learn that being stubborn never serves you? Let me help!”
Fisher stared down at me, the quicksilver in his eye whorling frantically. “I—”
“What is he talking about?”
“Fisher, if you want me to act, it has to be now.”
“Fisher! What does he mean?”
My beautiful, dark-haired mate swallowed thickly.Tal was second only to Malcolm in power. He hid it from the king so he wouldn’t kill him. He can turn you.”
My mind was so fuzzy.I couldn't process what he was saying. Taladaius wanted toturnme?I don't...I can’t be a feeder, Fisher. Please.”
Fisher shook his head. “You wouldn’t be. You’d be like him.”
I wouldn't die?
“No.”
Would I have to feed?
“We don't know.”
“Fisher, she's fading. I have seconds...” I heard Taladaius speak, but he sounded as if he were underwater.
A deep, dark blanket was settling over me. It was so warm and comfortable. It made the pain in my stomach melt away.
“Tell me she fucking consents!” Taladaius yelled.
The world faded away.
Fisher's voice was the last thing I heard. “She consents.”
44
AXIS
“MOVE!”
I was going to throw up. Pain cut through me like a kni—
“Oh, gods. Is she alive?” Carrion’s face above me, pale and lined with worry.
