Akira's POV The air in the Shadow Vale smelled of antique rain - cold, metallic, and laden with things that it was better not to speak of. It stuck to my skin as a second shiver, penetrated my clothing, lay in my lungs. As soon as Lyrien and I passed its threshold the world behind us had been forgotten, and a silence fell that was too complete, too final. There was no wind here. No birds. No rustle of life. Only mist waving round dead trees and bleeding earth. Kaiden is still looking at us, I whispered, but I could not see him. I could sense him, as of a phantom pain-- drawing at my heart, at the tie which still throbbed dimly under my ribs. Lyrien did not breathe, as it hurt him to respond. "Not for long," he murmured. When we get further down the Vale will cut it. You will be rid of the Blood Moon, and... Kaiden won't feel you anymore. Not the bond. Not your fear. Not your pain." His words cut a hole in the center of my chest. I choked at the pain. "And you? What will you lose
Last Updated : 2025-11-20 Read more