Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

49. Aeron

49

Aeron

I knew King Elio was a disgraceful beast but I didn’t think he was capable of this.

Forcing himself on a woman young enough to be his daughter. Essentially raising her. Sheltering her. Watching her grow from child, to teenager, to adult. Failing to deign her a morsel of respect.

I knew something was not right when I saw his hand on her leg. The look in his eyes filled with desire.

She left the ballroom shortly after Prince Proteus announced his gift to Princess Saphrina to be a star. She didn’t even stay to eat dinner. I watch King Elio finish his meal and order a grand celebration dance that requires most of the guests.

He stands and exits the same side door as Dinalia did.

He cannot be trusted.

I follow. If he intends to do my estrella harm. I will kill him. Slowly and painfully. I will steal the gift of every star given and bring him back each time only to desecrate his soul again and again.

Feeling the pull that connects me to her shake. I follow it. Allowing it to guide me straight to her. What I see sends me into a frenzy.

King Elio is on top of her, ripping her skirt. While three other soldiers are holding her down.

I don’t think, I just react.

Unleashing my magic upon those that would touch what is mine.

My black shadows seeping into their skin. Consuming their minds.

I don’t kill them.

They don’t deserve a quick death.

Their flesh begins to burn. Searing their skin. Sizzling under my power.

I leave them like that as I grab the collar of King Elio. Ripping him off of Dinalia. Throwing him up against the wall. My hand grasped so tightly around his throat I almost crush his windpipe from the force.

No, I will look into his eyes and see the light fade when he is killed. I want to see the fear and despair across his features as he realizes he is about to die.

I teleport to a crystal cave deep in the Shadowlands. Instantly chaining him up then teleporting back to the castle of the Middle Kingdom. Only to take all three of the worthless beings, still under the influence of my magic, back to the same cave. Chaining them up alongside their king.

I return to Dinalia.

She’s curled into herself up against the wall. This is not her. She is not a small, meekful creature. She is strong and powerful. She is the greatest force I have ever encountered.

Holding out my arms, walking over to her slowly, I say, “It’s alright my estrella. They’re gone.”

She stands slowly. Dragging her body up against the wall. I move to touch her. And my heart twists out of shape when she flinches at me.

I grip her wrists.

What is this that is binding her ?

It must be what restricted her from using her magic.

I begin to bend it. Shaking a bit. It takes more of my strength than I’ve had to use in years. But eventually I get it to break. Shattering and falling to her feet.

Picking her up gently. Scooping her into my arms with the utmost care. She relaxes and leans into me as I do. Accepting that I am safe .

My heart is racing. I feel like it is about to burst out of my chest. One from being close to her but also at the realization that I could have lost her.

She is my entire soul now and I almost lost her.

How could I have been so careless?

She is mine to protect. Mine to defend.

And I failed her.

I haven’t even pledged myself to her and yet I would do anything for her.

I will protect her at all costs.

She is the brightest star to ever live.

The light I would follow until the end of my days.

She lights the way home.

Wrapping us in my magic. I teleport to her chambers. Laying her down on the bed. Reluctant to let her out of my arms. I grip the back of her head to guide her back when I feel something.

Descending her down gently to pull my hand away and see nothing but blood.

She has a major gash in her head. No physician would be able to remedy this.

But she can.

She has the ability to heal. She must heal herself.

I look down at her. She’s not lucid. Her color is fading.

She is fading.

Her eyes are droopy. While her head is going limp .

A lump begins to form in my throat. I can’t swallow. I can’t breathe.

My Goddess mark is burning. A pain I’ve never felt. All the burning and searing torture I endured from my Father doesn’t compare.

Not to this.

“No,” I say, barely able to get the words out, “don’t you dare stop fighting.”

Taking her into my arms. She can’t stop fighting.

Not now.

Not ever.

“You have fought everyday in your life to get to this point. To be with me. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the turmoil inside of you. Seen the darkness in your soul. I can help you find release.”

My own soul is being ripped apart into a million pieces.

Seeing the light begin to fade from her eyes.

No, she will not add another star to the night sky. She will be no one else’s light someday.

Only mine.

And I will not allow her to dwindle.

Forbidding it from going out.

Whispering, I make this promise to her, “You are a rare star whose light cannot be matched. You are my light. My ember. My estrella.”

Her body goes completely limp and her eyes close.

Her breath dies.

No.

I wrap her in my arms even tighter. Rocking us back and forth.

This can’t be.

I’m inhaling deeply. Trying to remain calm. Evening out my breathes the best I can. Tears threatening to escape me. I haven’t cried in years. Not since my Mother died. Even through all my Father’s torture and mutilation, I never once deigned him that weakness.

Then something untold happens .

My Goddess marks begin to glow.

I look down at my chest. Watching it appear on the surface of my skin. Glowing brighter than the moon, brighter than the stars.

It begins to pulse in sync with my heart.

Then I look at Dinalia’s. Slowly and faintly at first then I see a spark of light. Flickering like the tip of a flame. Fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. Her glow begins to increase faster, stronger, brighter, and fuller.

They then glow brilliantly bright. Filling the room immensely. Putting the great fire that burns in the hearth to shame.

They begin to beat in tandem.

Dinalia takes in a deep breath.

My own falters. I grip her closer than I ever thought possible.

Her eyes are still closed. She’s still unconscious but she’s breathing. Slow and steady.

Then I feel her.

Not just her breathing from holding her in my arms.

I feel her heartbeat.

In rhythm with mine.

Our souls, one in the same.