68. DAMIAN

Chapter sixty-eight

DAMIAN

M y promise.

Aurelia.

I couldn't lose her too.

Watching Aurelia jump into the pit shattered my heart in more ways than one. The rib cage that surrounded my heart barely kept the fragmented pieces from leaving my body. From leaving my soul. From making me the numb heartless assassin I once was.

My body was burning—screaming in pain. But it didn't compare to the thought that radiated in my mind that I may have lost Aurelia.

Not being able to protect her—breaking my promise–was my biggest fear that became a reality before my eyes.

The pounding in my ears was too much. The buzz that rattled them was too much.

However, I promised her I would help Clemmy. Forcing my body to turn, the aches strong, I made my way to Clementine.

She laid helpless on the ground, her knee deformed, tears staining her face that was becoming bruised, sickly.

"Don't," she said. "I'm fine. Get Loker to get her out of that pit. She won't be able to by herself," she said, gazing toward the opposite side of the large pit where Loker and Luella laid.

Nodding, I followed her instructions, running as quickly as I could with the burn that fractured my body. Loker hung over Luella, tears streaked down his face.

"Loker, we need to get Aurelia out of the pit. I need you to use your wind abilities." My voice wavered, watching Luella's gasps, her breaths rapid and short. Her eyes tensed shut as her fingers gripped the outer layer of the rock.

He brushed away the wet tears on his cheeks, pushed himself to his feet, and stumbled as he ran with me toward the gaping hole. Nearing the edge, thumps pounded around us.

Deathlies… It worked. They were dying.

Scanning my hand, I watched as the boils, blisters, and splotches of dark colors began to fade. The sky grew quiet, the dragons beating their wings as they swiftly flew down.

Peering back at the void, it closed up, the ground healing, recreating and claiming it as a surface.

But Aurelia.

"Loker, now!" I demanded, my heart panting. My heart was in need of her. Sweat glazed my skin. I didn't care if I was healed. I didn't care about myself. I just needed her.

Loker's hands lifted, a rush of air being heard from inside of the gaping void.

The grass became greener as it inched inward, closing the gap.

I couldn't lose Aurelia again.

Not again.

His hands lifted higher, and her pink strands became visible as she lifted barely in time as the void closed; the grass that was once dead and oozing became healed and fine.

Loker used his abilities to gently lie her on the ground. Her hair tousled. Her skin healed.

"Aurelia!" I yelled, the pieces of my shattered heart scratching against my ribcage. "No! No!" I ran to her, holding her body in mine. I cradled her like I once had not too long again.

Not again.

My hands shook, my fingertips going numb as she was still in my arms. It was a stillness that I recognized all too well. One that was too familiar.

"Aurelia. Aurelia. Aurelia." Her name rattled off the tip of my tongue, unable to stop, repeating in circles. "I care about you so much. Don't leave me. Don't let me break my promise," I whispered, my eyes growing damp.

There was a strong flapping noise, and I glanced to my side seeing Belle come down. Her sinewy claws neared us, and her snout nudged toward Aurelia, as if telling me to check her breathing.

I did.

A sob escaped my throat as there was a soft pulse.