Page 36

CHAPTER 36

AURORA

N ieve lifted his mouth from hers. His breath was a white cloud around his head. His soft green eyes faded, and his skin turned cold. Then she felt it, the pull of the queen’s soul. It screamed to be released from its icy prison.

“What have you done?” a shrill voice rang through the room.

Aurora turned to see the queen stagger into the room. Her soul shone, beckoning Aurora . The curse had been broken. Aurora stepped closer to the young queen, whose youth had been lost in the years of creases that formed. “ You have given your soul for my lord to keep. Now lie down to sleep, for your soul, I shall reap.”

“No.” Queen Sove turned to ash as the glow of her soul left her body. It floated towards Aurora .

“Aurora, we have to leave.” Nieve took her hand.

Aurora closed her eyes, inhaling the glow. The bitterness and hatred of the queen’s soul tore through her. She gagged at the bile that bubbled into her throat. The windows shattered, and the icy wind raced in, scattering the ashes of what used to be Queen Sove . Aurora swallowed back the urge to vomit up the bitter soul. All she needed to do was make it back to Manere .

“Aurora, now.” Nieve grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door. “ I don’t have much time. Hurry .”

Aurora blindly followed. Her head throbbed, and her body screamed to get rid of the ugliness that was consuming her. The hallway burst into a white haze. She cried out as a bitter wind tried to pull her and Nieve apart.

“Hold on!” Nieve pulled her closer to him.

A white nothingness surrounded them. Her breath seemed to freeze in her lungs. Nieve was the only warmth she felt as he pulled her through the white wall of nothingness. Around them, icy cries filled the air.

“We are almost there.” Nieve’s words were ripped from his mouth. “ Hold on. Please .”

She did. Her feet and hands were numb as they burst out of the castle and into the courtyard. Frozen corpses of servants littered the yard. Aurora tripped, falling. The pain of another’s soul in her body made it hard to breathe. “ I can’t do this.” She clawed at the ice that burned her flesh.

“Yes, you can. Please .” Nieve tugged her up. “ We don’t have much time.”

Aurora cried out when she saw him. Frost encased half his body. “ Nieve , what is happening to you?” She struggled to her feet, pulling him close and trying to warm his frozen hands.

“I’m dying. When we step out of this courtyard, no matter what, do not look back. Every time you look back, we have to start over. Just run.” The frozen king pushed Aurora through the iron gates as they closed.

She ran, Nieve’s cold hand pushing her forward. How far was it? Where was Pain ? Her tears froze to her cheeks as she ran. An ache in her side made it hard to breathe. The dress did little to protect her from the coldness. Aurora slowed her pace, sucking in the cold air. “ I just… I need…” She bent at the waist.

Nieve stumbled to his knees next to her. His white furs had turned to snow and ice.

“Nieve.” Aurora cupped his frozen cheek. “ If you truly love me, you’ll stay with me.”

“I do love you more than this life.” Nieve tried to stand. “ I thought there would be more time.” He fell back to his knees.

Aurora straightened, tugging on his hand. The wind howled around them. “ Nieve , please.” His hands were so cold. “ I need you—” The rest of her words were cut off as the sound of heavy footfalls echoed in the air around her. “ Get up!” Aurora cried as his green eyes started to fade into a milky white.

“I never thought I would see the dawn again. But here you are, so warm, so beautiful. Thank you.” Nieve smiled.

“Stop. We can have many more. I’ll take you to the heavens, and you’ll see how brilliant life is. But you have to come with me,” Aurora cried, blowing her warm breath onto his hands.

Nieve looked past her, his eyes no longer seeing the world he was in. “ Gods above, you are beautiful.” He smiled as his last breath rattled from his chest.

“Nieve.” Aurora shook him. “ Wake up, please. I don’t know where to go.” Aurora shook him again. The wind twisted around her. Its sharp fingers tore at her flesh. The queen’s soul ate away at Aurora . “ Get up.” She stood, tugging his arm. “ You can’t leave me.” The queen’s soul reveled in her suffering. It consumed the once brilliant love she had for life.

The sky above had lightened, and the heavy gray clouds gave way to a pale blue. Aurora stood, fighting the urge to look back. Everything was frozen, her fingers and toes, her lips and nose. She’d freeze if Pain didn’t hurry. You stupid twit, she will not come. With you gone, Thane is hers. Aurora fell to her knees, laughing at her own stupidity. Pain wasn’t coming. She was Fate’s daughter, and now she could be Thane’s mate. “ Is this what you wanted, me to die here?” she called to the heavens.

Aurora laid her head on Nieve , hoping to feel the last of his warmth and love. It was over, and she had lost. Above her, the morning sky started to break through the heavy clouds. It was beautiful. She had never watched the sky brighten with hope. Never seen the last three stars wink out. She had always been too busy chasing after Thane .

The first tear ran down her cheek. Thankfully the darkness started to swallow her. It wasn’t soft or comforting; it was sharp and brutal. It cut at the delicate hope she clung to. Hope that she would survive this.

“I hate you! All of you,” she cried. Being the daughter of Life had afforded her nothing. Not even her life.