Page 21 of Risen (Love and Revenge #6)

My first kiss with Sadavir, the moment we had confessed our feelings for one another and sworn to always be at each other’s side.

The memory of the sensations felt fresh, as if the moment was only just happening now—elation, his lips firm on mine, his fingers tangled in my hair, bittersweet yearning morphed into the deep, warm relief of being truly seen and wanted in a way I had never dreamed possible.

I remembered how, at that moment, it had felt as if I had finally discovered my true purpose, that one small but absolutely crucial last piece of the puzzle settling into my heart as my prince became more than my ruler or my best friend, and became my everything .

It felt like it had happened only seconds before, instead of decades ago.

The curse breaker moved away, leaving me reeling slightly.

Had he saved that memory just for this moment?

Why take it away only to give it back now?

Maybe he had been struck by a sudden case of conscience.

Whatever the reason, I was grateful. My fear was lifted.

I went into the ritual floating on the warm feelings of new love given and reciprocated.

The curse breaker waved the others further away, then he stepped outside the circle, lifted his hands, and began channeling his magic.

His strange, powerful magic rose through me, magnified by the powers of the earth below and the pure white light of the moon above.

Acacia clung harder than ever, her own sick Aura and her dark magic swelling through me in return, waging war inside my body and mind as I knelt there, trapped between two powerful forces.

It felt like they would tear me apart, like two dogs fighting over a toy and leaving behind nothing but shreds.

I tried to be quiet and hold in the pain, but eventually it was too much. I gripped my head in my hands and screamed as the forces inside me scoured my mind. Hot blood poured from my nose and ears as I collapsed to the ground.

It felt like it went on forever, though I was sure it was only moments. Robin wouldn't have waited much longer than that, and the others were still standing in a ring around me when I realized the battle inside of me had ended and the curse breaker’s magic was slowly receding.

I lay on my side in the dirt, covered in my own blood, my chest heaving with exertion and my sluggish heart pounding like a drum.

It was over. Every inch of my body ached, and my vision was dark around the edges.

It was hard to focus on what was going on around me as Sadavir and Ruya rushed to my side. I’m dying.

"No, you're not!" Ruya's voice was a whip crack of power, cutting through the buzzing in my ears.

I must have whispered that last thought aloud.

Her small hands settled over mine, where they still rested over my temples.

Warm golden energy poured into me, soothing every ache, healing every cell. And meeting no resistance.

Acacia was gone.

I pushed myself up to a sitting position, elation bleeding through my being. I was free. Could this be real? I sucked in a deep breath to ask just that question, when a faint, insidious, sickening tug pulled at my gut.

My mouth dried up, my throat closed over as a wave of anguish swept through me at the realization of what this feeling meant. Acacia’s hold on me was weakened, so faint I could barely feel it at first. But...

"She's still there," I whispered, my eyes immediately darting to the curse breaker as furious tears replaced the ones caused by the pain of the spell. “It didn't work .”

He huffed and waved away my concern. “Oh, it worked, boy. Don't you go casting aspersions on my talents. I've severed everything but that last final thread. That one's for you. You have to be the one to make the final cut.”

I glared at him as Sadavir helped me to my feet. “What does that mean? I thought you said you could break binding? What good is it if it's only partially broken?”

He shook his head, his expression sad. “Carrying that parasite inside your mind has weakened you, made you doubt your own power, made you forget who you are. All you have to do is take back your power and remember who you are. Decide to be rid of her, and the bond will break.”

I gaped at him in disbelief. Was he fucking joking right now? Anger surged inside of me right along with the despair. I wanted to rip his throat out.

Robin saved the man's life by interrupting our stare-off before I could lunge, her husky voice flat with impatience. “Well, this has all been very entertaining, but we need to go now.”

Her slit-pupil dragon eyes met mine, and she arched a brow. “Josh, are you coming with us or staying here?”

I could hear what she was really asking. Could I keep it together? Or was I just going to be a liability? Again.

I did my best to dampen down the sick feeling in my gut, where Acacia's claws still held on to me. I wouldn't fail them now. I couldn't stand to let Sadavir and Ruya and the others walk into this while I stayed back here like some fragile, damaged flower.

“I'm fine,” I bit out. “Let's go.”