Page 202 of The Chains You Defy

Another tremor shook the building in its foundation. Rubble and debris rained down around us, forcing Dion to dodge.

As he raced out of the ritual hall, all I could do was stare at the tear growing larger by the minute, wondering if aiming to escape would even make sense.

No, no, no, no.

Was this why Galrach had sent me to the Doitean to retrieve their relic? So they’d perish, and the fabric between the worlds would collapse?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

We had to get away from here, and fast.

And Antas—had he followed me to the island?

Glancing down at my shivering female in my arms, my heart splintered apart. She looked as if she were on the verge of death. Pale, with eyes sunken deep into her face, and where binding marks had once adorned her skin, only scars remained.

And her Potential was hidden. Or gone. Not accessible.

I’d used a lot of my magic, but although I knew I should better cling to the rest in case we needed my power to escape this catastrophe behind us, the energy slipped out without my doing and reached for Nayana to envelop her and keep her safe in onyx tendrils that hummed soothingly.

Fuck this too. Control—I had to control my wielding, or else I would be the next burnout victim.

“My bag—”

“We need to get away, goddess.”

“But the midnight dagger—and my courtship presents. Let me go, and I’ll get them. I can’t lose them…I just can’t.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and I pretended not to break apart at how frail her voice sounded.

We’d left the ceremonial hall behind, my feet navigating the trembling earth with ease. The fissure was moving sluggishly and wouldn’t get us if we proceeded at this pace, but could I risk fetching Naya’s bag from the main building? My arms closed tighter around her wriggling form—if she thought she could go alone, she’d be wrong. She was weakened, and I—

Well, magical exhaustion was tough, but I was tougher.

Her dagger was with her belongings, which was the only reason I dared to consider this unreasonable detour—well, and her desperate tears. After I located the drop of my magic contained in the blade, I calculated that if the rift didn’t speed up, there would be ample time to grab her possessions. Altering our course, I crossed the meadow toward the mansion.

“Dion. Nayana. What in Kalag’s name is happening? And why are you bloody all over?”

“Antas. Gods, reality is collapsing, but there’s no time for explanations.” Also, I’d prefer not to have that conversation, which surely would be riddled with plenty of I-told-you-sos. “Here. Run out with Nayana while I’m getting her things from inside. No discussions.” My magic, unwilling to let go of her, detached from me as I gently placed her as fast as I could into Antas’ arms.

For once, Antas didn’t argue. But he also didn’t keep his mouth shut. “Five minutes, Dion. If you are not back by then, I will return for you.”

Oh yes, he would. “Protect my heart and soul. This time for real. That’s more important.” Without another word, I spun around and followed the dagger’s signature into the main building of the former Cuirt an Ghra.

Nayana’s bag clanked against my back with every hasty movement I made.

Outside the mansion, after I’d jumped out of the window of the small chamber that had housed her belongings, I was chased by an Ivreian storm.

Under different circumstances, I would have disappeared into a shadow, but I didn’t dare to waste power. My reserves were too diminished. I just needed to run faster.

Antas, Naya, and our horses appeared on the horizon, and I forced more strength into my legs. Pushing my body to its limits, I raced to them. Luckily, I’d gained quite a distance from where reality was unraveling.

“Hurry up, Dion.”

One more step, and I stopped in front of Antas, hauling Nayana back into my arms. She was still wrapped in my tendrils, and even if I wanted to withdraw them, they wouldn’t allow me to call them back.

Fuck.

With great urgency, I mounted my steed, taking Nayana with me, and my uncle climbed into his saddle too. Without further hesitation, we spurred our horses, riding toward the bridge leading off the island.