Page 62

Chapter Sixty-Two

Annora

My heart races as I enter the Evonlight Cave one day later. My steps falter as I take in the circular chamber, where each element presses against the others.

Air whispers secrets I can’t quite catch. Earth forms jagged walls. A single beam of light pierces through a crack above. Shadows pool in the corners, deep and still as midnight. Water drips steadily from stalactites. And fire flickers from blood-red stones clustered near the entrance.

Each element is so beautiful, so perfect, as if the gods created this place as a way to show us how the six Tarrobane tribes should exist—with each other, not against.

Hope thrums inside me as I follow Jasce to the dais in the center of the room and take in the sight of the throne crafted from all six elements.

But it’s the figure slumped on the throne that makes my heart stop.

The Oracle sits lifeless, head lolled to one side, skin gray as ash. A banner bearing the House of Silver crest protrudes from her chest like a spear.

“Fuck!” Jasce says as he whirls around to face his brothers, who still stand near the entrance, their eyes locked on the Oracle.

My hands tremble as I stumble back, needing things to be different, needing the Oracle to be alive.

Did Asha do this?

She had to know about the Oracle. Had to know that the Oracle could have removed the bond for me.

“Fucking Asha!” Jude’s voice cuts through the cave as he slams his fist against the wall.

Reeve doesn’t blink, doesn’t move, but anger burns in his gray eyes.

Jasce’s hand finds my shoulder, but even his touch feels far away. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. No tears fall.

The banner flutters in a stray breeze, drawing my eyes back to it again and again. Each time I look, my reality sinks deeper—there is no escape from this bond. No freedom from Aleksander’s control.

Fury burns through me as my gaze lands on Aleksander standing between Reeve and Jude. He stares, his face devoid of all emotions, his shoulders sagging, yet I want to rip my nails down his face, make him bleed.

The elements continue their dance around us. Water still drips. Fire still burns. Light still streams through the crack above.

But none of it matters now.

Something shifts inside me, a coolness washing over the heat of my rage like a spring rain dousing flames.

This is exactly what Asha wants. For me to burn with hatred just like her, to let bitterness take root and strangle my heart the way it’s strangled hers.

Asha can kill Oracles, raise armies, and she can try to break me, but she won’t succeed.

Not while love still beats in my heart. Not while hope still guides my steps. Not while Jasce stands beside me.

My gaze drifts to the elements still dancing their eternal dance around us.

Water. Fire. Earth. Air. Light. And Shadow.

Like them, we will find balance. Not through hate or vengeance, but through love and understanding.

I close the space between Jasce and me. “Asha will not win. I will not let her.”

Jasce nods, but I still see the disappointment clouding his eyes. He wanted to free me as much as I longed to be free.

My boots echo against the stone floor as I let go of Jasce and turn toward the entrance. When I reach the door, I pause in front of Aleksander. He doesn’t look up, but I don’t need him to.

“You may control my magic,” I say, my voice carrying through the cave. “But you will never control who I am.”