Page 28

Chapter

Twenty-Six

T he burden of responsibility presses down on my shoulders, a relentless weight that threatens to fracture my very being.

My hair whips in the biting wind, each strand a thousand icy needles pricking at my cheeks as I lift my face to the ominous, brooding sky.

Above me, the clouds writhe and shift, a dark figure slinking through the gloom, trailing malice in its wake.

A searing fire streaks through the murky air, clawing at the delicate threads of the frozen peace, heralding the devastating storms of chaos to come.

An enormous cracked mirror sits before me, its presence a stark contrast to the surrounding nature.

I step closer. It is in that heart-stopping moment, with the storm’s fury swirling around me, that I glimpse my reflection—a silver and onyx crown, heavy and sinister, gracing my brow.

A chilling realization washes over me; I am not merely a victim of fate, but a queen ensnared by a destiny of darkness.

My fingers trail over the cracks.

“Eron?” I whisper.

Pain, sharp and jarring, slices across the pad of my index finger, making me jerk my hand away. Blood smears across the mirror, and a distorted cackle splits the air. The wildlife stills in the presence of Malice as her face appears before me.

“Their hearts are a burden,” she sneers. “You aren’t strong enough to do what is needed. Give me that power, and I’ll see it through.”

I take a step back, shaking my head. “No. You cannot be trusted with any power. Love is not a burden, it is a gift.”

“If that is true, why do they hide secrets from you?”

She’s trying to get under my skin. It’s not like we’ve had many turns of down time to share our secrets.

I smile sadly at her. I think she’s been scorned, and that has made her bitter. Only broken love can destroy someone’s soul. If you are lucky, you might survive it and try again. Many don’t.

I turn away from the mirror, shielding my face from her. My heart twists inside my chest. “I trust them,” I mumble.

“Foolish,” she snarls before her malevolent presence lifts from the world. I glance over my shoulder to find the mirror and Malice have disappeared.

My gaze finds a dragon soaring through the sky once more. A destructive force of nature unleashed on the world.

Sometimes you have to burn it to the ground to raise a new and better world.

At what cost?

Does it matter? Only when you’ve lost everything can you appreciate what you have. Sweep away the detritus and your true self will become clear.

I blink as I argue with the unseen voice. My chest expands, and four heart beats vibrate through my veins, each forming a connection with my soul that is unbreakable.

No, Daphne, not unbreakable.

That sounds like a threat.

An option.

I spin in place, squinting at the dark forest. Where are you?

Everywhere. That’s the wrong question.

Who are you?

Better. But still not right. You aren’t ready.

For what?

To hear your destiny and to embrace your fate. Be ready, Daphne. Dare to break the laws of stone.

The presence is swept away, lost to the shadows watching my every move.

The dark-winged beast in the sky breaks through the clouds.

He dives, aiming straight for me. I swallow as my stomach tightens, my breath caught in the knot forming in my throat.

My limbs twitch with the need to run from the danger heading for me.

Theo would never hurt me. I cling to that belief as his jaws open wide and the embers of fire swirl in the cavern of his mouth, glowing brighter as he gathers a blazing ball.

I lock my knees. Trust him. I force my eyes to remain open. Show no fear. A roar of despair rumbles from him, like he’s urging me to run. I shake my head. If this is my fate, I will meet it the way I have lived my life, with the force of my heart on my sleeve.

My eyes water as the heat scorches the air between us. Fire erupts and my chest rises as I stand fast and true in the face of my heart’s destruction. My fingers tremble.

“Daphne, run,” Hart roars from the dark forest. His figure dives out of the dark, and he throws himself at me. His shoulder jams into my stomach, not losing stride as he lifts me and runs into the safety of the trees. My head lifts in time to see Theo scorch the ground where I was standing.

My heart flip flops. He would have killed me? No, I refuse to believe it.

I wriggle from Hart’s hold. “Put me down,” I demand.

“No,” he growls as the smoky scene disappears from view. He runs like our lives depend on it. Several tempos later, he slows. I lift my head and blink at the massive frozen lake before us.

“Can you swim?” Hart snaps.

“Yes.”

He drops my feet to the ground and urges me forward. I step onto the ice carefully. It creaks under my weight but doesn’t break.

“Go,” he snarls as he whips around to face the roar of the beast.

“Not without you,” I answer, my fingers grazing his arm.

He turns and slams his lips against mine in a feral kiss before pushing me toward the lake. “I’ll be right behind you.” Our eyes meet. Trust me, he begs without words.

I nod and begin walking across the terrifying icy surface. My limbs shake with the effort of remaining upright. I’m not a quarter of the way across when I realize there’s no footfall behind me. I spin, lose my footing, and collapse to my knees.

Hart remains on the edge as the trees shift to the side, flattening against the ground. Theo emerges from the darkness like a vengeful beast looking for his next feast.

Hart is weaponless, but he holds steady.

“You cannot have her until you get control of yourself.”

Theo roars like his heart is torn from his chest, and my heart beats faster in response.

His eyes zero in on me. I scramble to my feet as he knocks Hart to the side. His body bangs against a thick tree, and he crumples to the ground. A sob leaves my throat as I slip and fall again in my haste to reach him.

“What have you done?” I cry.

Theo’s heavy clawed feet hit the ice and a crack forms under them, widening to reveal the icy dark water underneath.

It traces a path to me. I close my eyes and whisper a prayer to whatever Idol might be listening, that my loss won’t make their hearts bitter.

That they will recover and find someone worthy to give their love to once more.

My feet hit the water, and I suck in a breath before I’m submerged in darkness. My limbs jerk, and my head breaches the surface, once, twice, three times. I’m so tired. Maybe I can rest here for a tempo and restore some of my energy. Hart will be okay. He has to be. No other outcome is acceptable.

I let my limbs go limp and sink lower beneath the deep water. How apt that my fate is still being claimed by a lake. Sometimes, you can’t change what must pass.

“Daphne, open your eyes,” Hart whispers.

He can’t be here. He can’t rest—he has so much to live for and to achieve. I twist away, resisting the temptation to cling to him and bring him down with me. It’s a lonely future, but it will break my heart if I’ve condemned Hart to join me .

“Calamity, please,” he begs.

Lips, soft but insistent, press against mine.

His tongue swipes across them, begging for entry.

I part them. Water rushes in, suffocating me with soft promises.

Hart’s kiss is a blessing, as I accept this will be the last time any of them touch me.

Arms wrap around me, cocooning me in warmth.

They always have the ability to chase away the chill.

His tongue tangles with mine, his taste sinking into my being like a prize. Hands tangle in my hair, and he tilts my head back to angle my mouth so he can go deeper. Claim me, Hart, I am yours.

“I will when you open your damn eyes, Calamity.”

“If I open my eyes, you will be gone. And my heart can’t take it.” It’s already cracking. Let me have this fantasy as I meet my end.

Cool air washes down my chest and heat licks at my nipple, making me groan and arch my spine.

“More,” I beg when his mouth leaves my breast.

“No.”

No? How dare he. I’m hearing my death knell, and he’s refusing to pleasure me one last time?

My eyes snap open with a growl. Hart hovers over me with his eyes narrowed, candlelight playing across his sharp cheekbones and powerful jaw.

I blink as I take in the cosy sleeping pod. Big enough for two, the small cave is a perfect little slice of peace and tranquillity. But what it is not is an icy lake claiming my life, and Hart is whole, not lying lifeless on the ground.

I drag my teeth over my bottom lip. It’s a little swollen from his kisses. The sting makes heat flare through my veins and shivers dance down my spine. We are safe, alive, and whole.

He kisses my cheeks and lips once more, the salty taste startling me. I must have been crying.

“You back with me?” Hart growls as he shifts, like he’s about to move away. My legs snap around his hips and hook together over his butt, keeping him close. I need to feel alive. He groans as his large erection presses against my core.

“I am back,” I whisper. I’m not sure where everyone else is sleeping, but I’m not eager to have my sister or Charming overhear us.

“Good. Now I need to sleep, Calamity, so whatever you were dreaming about, stop.”

I arch my spine, creating more friction for us both. “I need to break the nightmare. If I go back to sleep now, I’ll probably re-enter it.”

He tilts his head like he’s determining if I’m lying. I’m not. Not really. I do drop back into dreams after waking up, but I tend to stay awake after nightmares.

The head of his cock rubs against my clit, causing my pulse to flutter. He’s still got his breeches on, and I’m still wearing panties. Too much fabric.

“What do you need?” he snaps.

“To feel,” I utter.

His hands grip my knees, and he forces my legs free of his waist. I huff in disappointment. He chuckles, low and knowing, before tearing my panties free from my body. Okay, now we are talking.