Page 29 of Wrath Of Suns And Shadows (The Osparia #2)

Chapter Nineteen

Maeve

I knew this would be my end the moment I went over the edge. Even if Ace or Sedrin would have gotten free, they wouldn’t have made it to me quick enough. I felt the wind rushing past me, my chains keeping me from wielding it. From stopping my fate.

I focused on it. I didn’t scream. I imagined I was flying again and my wings were carrying me through the blue skies above me rather than letting me slip right through its fingers to the death that awaited me on the earth below.

Time stood still, and I heard the moment Ace caught Luana from the fall. The moment their bodies collided. I smiled to myself, happy that one of us would make it out of this and get their happily ever after.

If anyone deserved it, it was surely Luana.

I saw Ace in the distance shooting down toward me, flapping his wings vigorously, and flying at speeds I had never seen before, while Luana clawed at his shackles and then ripped them from him and threw them down.

I reached out my hand, knowing that the ground was closer to me than his wind was.

I felt his power, his wind, chase after me and grace my skin right before I met the ground.

He was too late.

I needed him to know that it was okay. That I forgave him before it even happened.

Before I could get out the sign, my body thudded against the hard earth and snapped in every way a body could.

My bones shattered, and the next breath I sucked in caused me so much pain that I didn’t want to breathe anymore.

His wind had only cushioned my head enough to keep me from death for a few more moments.

His wind had been so close to fully catching me . . .

Ace’s body tumbled to the side with a crack.

I was sure he had to have broken something with how hard he landed.

Ace and Luana crawled over to me, and I saw them leaning over my crumpled body.

A moment later, Sedrin landed, and as he looked over at me, a sob racked through his body as he dropped to his knees at my side.

I wanted to tell him it was okay.

I wanted him to know that Ace had tried.

I wanted him to know so much, but I couldn’t move anything.

My body was nothing but a broken lump radiating with pain.

Each breath became harder, but I had to tell him.

Luana lightly held my hand, not wanting to cause me anymore pain as she sat on one side of me next to Ace, while Sedrin cradled my body on the other side. Their faces were taut and tear-filled.

“Maeve, y-you stay with me, do you hear me? You’re— You’re going to be fine.

You’ll be okay. You’re okay . . . ,” Sedrin whispered brokenly.

Even I knew denial was the first emotion of grief.

I knew I wouldn’t walk away from this. Luana sobbed.

And Ace tried to be strong for them, but his tears streaked his face like a silent, flowing river.

I didn’t have a choice . . . . I’d broken my vow because I couldn’t leave this world without telling them what I needed to.

“I-I forgive you, Ace.” Every word came out on a painful breath as I spoke it. It had been so long since I had heard my voice, I hardly recognized it.

Sedrin gasped out, shocked with grief and with the sound.

“No, no, no, no,” he pleaded, knowing I’d never break my vow. “Maeve, there’s nothing to forgive because you will be okay. You’ll . . . be . . .” His voice fell away as his sobs overtook his body.

“B-brother . . .” I tried to speak, but I had to steady myself as my limbs grew cold.

Something slick was under me, and I didn’t know if it was the mossy ground beneath me or if I was dying in a pool of my own blood.

I assumed the latter. I gasped as each breath grew harder, sounded wetter. I didn’t have much more time.

“S-Sedrin . . . ,” I tried again. Weak, I was so weak, and his eyes met mine as he leaned in closer so I wouldn’t have to put much effort into speaking. He palmed my cheeks. “Live . . . for me,” I continued. “I want you to live.”

“I—” He couldn’t speak as his breaths came quicker, and mine came slower.

“Shhhh . . . ,” I murmured. “Tell me . . . Tell me about our life—our dreams . . .” I wanted to imagine all our dreams.

He took a few steadying breaths. “We . . . We would—will get married and move back to Heavensreach and build our homes with a view over the clouds.” He sobbed again, but I smiled at the thought, imagining Heavensreach, our home, in my mind.

“And we’ll have kids, and you’ll be the kindest aunt and the bravest mother.

The world is peaceful, full of light and laughter and love .

. . so much love.” His voice grew distant and as I looked up at him, so did his face.

I was fading, and I knew my next breath would be my last.