22. Sariel

22

SARIEL

" I want to go through with it," Lyra says. There are bags under her eyes and her shoulders slump slightly. She's still weak from her injury, but her attitude says otherwise. "And you're not going to stop me."

I perk a brow, tapping my fingers on my thigh. In lighter circumstances, her audaciousness might have amused me. But right now, her persistence is concerning. Her life is on the line.

We've been arguing back and forth for days, and now this morning she was released from the medical wing. My overseers have yet to call me in about my show or what to do with her, and I want to take the time I've been given to get her out of here.

Lyra, on the other hand, refuses to leave. Frustration builds inside me. This human is too stubborn for her own good.

"Little nexari, you don't understand what you're asking for. You are lucky to be alive. That won't be the case if you go through another trial, don't you understand?"

Lyra's eyes flash with defiance. "I understand perfectly. I've come too far to give up now. These wings are my only chance at a better life."

"A better life?" I scoff, rising from my seat. "You nearly died in the last trial. Is that what you call better?"

She stands her ground as I approach, her chin tilted up in challenge. "I knew the risks when I signed up, Sariel. I'm willing to face whatever comes next."

I growl, my wings rustling with agitation. "You're being foolish. There's no glory in throwing your life away."

She steps even closer, her scent filling my senses. "Help me, then. You saved me once. You can do it again."

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to grab her and shake some sense into her. And maybe do something more to her small, willing body. "I can't protect you if you insist on throwing yourself into danger."

"I'm not asking for protection," Lyra says, her voice soft but determined. There's a light that burns in her blue eyes that refuses to give out. "I'm asking for a chance. That's all I've ever wanted."

Sighing, I shake my head slightly. "Your incessant determination might just be the best and worst thing about you."

"It's gotten me this far, hasn't it?" she whispers, leaning into my touch as I graze my fingers along the edge of her chin. "Please. I can do it. You know this, too."

I run a hand through my hair, my resolve crumbling. Lyra's determination is infectious, and I find myself nodding despite my better judgment.

"Fine," I huff. I'm risking my reputation for you, I hope you know that."

Her eyes light up as her mouth slightly falls open. "You mean you'll help me?"

"Against my better judgment, yes."

So I do. I reach out to the overseers who agree to give Lyra one last trial. They think it would be the grand finale, watching the girl who survived die in front of an audience.

And this time, they'll bind my magic.

I deny caring, of course. I only want to make the trials more interesting – or at least that's what they think. So they let Lyra have this, and I hurry back to her.

"I can't believe I'm going to do it." She's been thrilled since I told her, and I can't get her to understand the dangers waiting.

"Listen carefully, little nexari. The final trial isn't just another obstacle course. It's a massive magical labyrinth."

Lyra's brow furrows, her deep blue eyes clouding with confusion. "A labyrinth?" she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

I lean in closer, my breath ghosting over her ear. "Not just any labyrinth, little nexari. It's a living, breathing nightmare. The walls shift like restless beasts, portals blink in and out of existence on a whim. You'll need every fucking ounce of wit, strength, and speed you possess just to survive, let alone complete it."

She nods slowly, her face a mask of concentration as she absorbs the information. I can practically see the gears turning in that pretty little head of hers. "What's the goal?" she asks, her voice stronger now, determination flickering in her eyes.

I can't help but admire her resilience. Most humans would be pissing themselves at the mere thought of the labyrinth. But not my Lyra.

Fuck, when did I start thinking of her as mine?

"There's an artifact at the center. Reach it, and it'll transport you out to a safe platform. That's how you win." I pause, making sure she understands the gravity of the situation. "But it won't be easy. There are beasts in there, traps at every turn."

Lyra takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. Her determination is palpable, and for a moment, I'm reminded of a warrior preparing for battle. In a way, she's exactly that. "I can do it. I've trained hard for this," she says, her voice steady despite the fear I can sense beneath the surface.

I can't help myself. I reach out and grab her arm, my grip firm but not painful. The warmth of her skin against my palm sends an unexpected jolt through me. "This isn't a game, Lyra. One wrong move and you're dead. No second chances," I warn, my voice gruff with an emotion I can't quite name. I need her to understand the gravity of what she's about to face.

She meets my gaze, her blue eyes unwavering. There's a strength there that I hadn't noticed before, and it catches me off guard. "I understand. Thank you for telling me," she says, her voice soft but resolute.

As she turns to leave, I feel a tightness in my chest that I've never experienced before. It's as if an invisible hand is squeezing my heart. "Lyra," I call out, surprising myself. I want to say more, to warn her, to protect her, but the words stick in my throat. What the fuck is wrong with me?

She pauses at the door, looking back at me.

"Don't..." I swallow hard, struggling with the words. "Don't disappoint me."

A small smile plays at her lips. "I won't. I promise."

As the door closes behind her, I'm left wondering if I've just sealed her fate or given her the key to survival. Out of my fondness for the human girl, I'm desperately hoping it's the latter.

If this is going to work, I need to make sure that no one fucks up the trial with any more instance of sabotage. My mind fixates on Raxis and his penchant for cruelty. He'll stop at nothing to make sure no human earns their wings.

So against better judgment, I leave my office and head off to find him. Thankfully, he's alone in his office, head in a book. When I enter, he laughs dryly and shuts his book loudly.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asks sarcastically.

"Cut the shit. I know you want to mess with this final trial and I won't let you."

"What? Sariel, I?—"

"I know you by now, Raxis," I say in a low voice, fists clenched. "Let it be. No human will get through the labyrinth, so you don't have to resort to tricks."

As I lie through my teeth, I'm hoping he believes me.

He sighs, clicking his tongue. "Sariel, it looks like you've become soft."

"No. I just want to see this end fairly." I take a few steps towards his desk. "If I find out that you or Zephyr have meddled with the labyrinth, I'll tear your wings off your body. Do you understand?"

The smile fades from his face. Then, his eyes narrow at me. "Don't tell me you're starting to go easy on the damn humans."

"Not at all. But enough with this juvenile shit. Let's try to maintain the integrity of some parts of these trials, alright?"

Before he utters another word, I depart from his office, slamming the door behind me as I go. My mind races, with thoughts of Lyra and her precarious future at the very forefront.

I want to trust in my little nexari, but there's still a chance something could go wrong. And everything we've built in secret could crumble within the blink of an eye.

I stand at one of the observation platforms, my heart pounding as I watch Lyra take her first steps into the magical maze. The walls tower above her, shifting and changing even as she moves forward. I've never felt this nervous about a trial before.

"Come on, little nexari," I mutter under my breath, my wings twitching with anticipation.

Lyra pauses at a fork in the path, her brow furrowed in concentration. She closes her eyes, sensing the magical currents around her. A smile tugs at my lips as she chooses the correct path, avoiding a deadly pitfall.

"That's it," I whisper, clenching my fists. "You've got this."

As she progresses deeper into the labyrinth, I find myself holding my breath with each new challenge she faces. A group of spectral beasts emerge from the walls, their ghostly forms circling her menacingly. Lyra stands her ground, her hands glowing with magical energy. She dispatches them with a series of quick, precise spells, and I feel a surge of pride.

"Impressive," I murmur, unable to contain my admiration.

My eyes never leave her as she navigates through a series of shifting platforms, her agility and quick thinking on full display. With each obstacle she overcomes, my chest swells with an unfamiliar warmth. It's more than just attraction or a sense of duty—I genuinely want her to succeed, to prove everyone wrong.

She's done everything right. She has worked incredibly hard for this, and now, she's about to achieve what no other human before her has managed to do.

As Lyra approaches a particularly treacherous part of the maze, I lean forward, my wings spreading unconsciously as if I could fly in and help her. "Careful, little nexari," I breathe, watching her every move intently.

She hesitates for a moment, and I see doubt flicker across her face. But then she sets her jaw, determination blazing in her eyes, and pushes forward. My heart races as she narrowly avoids a magical trap, her quick reflexes saving her from certain doom.

"That's my girl," I say softly, a smile spreading across my face.

Supporting her means risking everything I've worked hard to attain. My lifestyle, my reputation. But to my surprise, none of that matters. Not anymore.

The only thing that I want to see is Lyra emerging victorious, with her life intact.

And maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to create a life together where the prejudices of the world won't faze us at all.