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I prepared for my next task. I strengthened my tether to the remaining ashflower.Thiswas why Teyr had given it to me.

With one sigh, I spent the last of it. I snuffed out the Brandeverywhere, destroying the remnants of Inarus’s awful binding.

Within the ranks of free souls, I found Ayla.

She had lived. The Brand left her.

I healed her. My oath was met.

She had helped Eleanor save me. Now it was my turn to help her. The Brand left her, and from here I could see her bright soul, finally freed from the deadly weight.

She might have kissed me.

Only my body was far away.

Maybe it was only wisps of ash.

For my final breath, I immersed myself in her essence. Cherry and spice warmed me, making me brave.

My window of opportunity was small. For the moment, the Shades looked to me as their leader. I held a heady power, my control limited and unsustainable.

The army had to go.

“Die,” I commanded the Shades.

They obeyed. Dropping, they tumbled together. Under my command, they fell to their final death.

The Underworld flooded. Falling Shades formed a waterfall, a deluge of mass exodus. The current was strong, and the water pulled me under. Like the ashflower, I withered.

In the descent, I savored my final breath.

Ayla

Zayne’s Brand vanished. Zayne healed. Still, his body faded. I clutched at my chest, reaching for my aching heart. My Brand was gone too.

Zayne had done it. His victory tasted like dates at midnight, the freedom of a starlit night, and the unkept promise of a dance. The wave of peace, an oath kept.I will heal Ayla. By any means.

He slipped. He gasped a death rattle.

“No,” Eleanor breathed. “Zayne, come back. I need your help.”

Ninti’s ears drooped. The truth sank, cold in my stomach, blemishing the victory.

A breeze swept through the room, carrying his essence, cedar and amber and rain.

The remaining Shades fell. All at once, they became ash on the wind. The stronghold seemed empty. And so did Zayne.

His chest didn’t move. He didn’t take another breath. I kept staring. Willing him to change.

He didn’t move. I gasped.

I kissed his brow. I found myself whispering, “Please, Zayne, don’t go. I believed the scariest thing I would ever do was trust again.” Tears streamed down my nose, smearing his forehead. “But I was wrong. The scariest thing would be losing you.”

Eleanor fell, sitting on her heels as her mouth gaped, failing to form words. Ninti nuzzled Zayne’s limp hand.

I kissed his forehead. He still didn’t stir.

Desperate, my shoulders heaved. I needed a proper breath, and I leaned closer to his mouth.Inhale.Gasping, sucking in air, I pulled the last tendrils of his scent, his essence, deep into my lungs.