Chapter 21 The Cost of Domination
Amara’s POV
Everything was heavy. My breath, my thoughts, my body.
In the healer's hut, I lay on a bed of plush furs, my skin drenched in sweat, my limbs shaking. I felt as though something inside of me had broken open, but the war was over, for the time being.
Screaming, fire erupting from my body, and blackness were the last things I remembered.
Every part of me was aching now. I used silent magic. Too silent.
Mira's face was pale with worry as she hovered over me. She said, "Child, you went overboard." "Your energy was not the only thing you burned through."
I looked up at her, straining to speak. “What… happened?”
"You applied too much lunar magic," she remarked as she wiped my forehead with a handkerchief. "The Hollow Witch and the moon are connected to your soul. She takes advantage of your strength if you use it carelessly.”
My chest constricted. "She's consuming... from me?"”
Mira gave a sad nod. "She's holding out for you to exhaust yourself."
Tears were streaming from my eyes as I closed them. I had believed that my strength was increasing. I thought I was getting up.
Now, though, I felt as though I was simply stepping into her trap.
The door opened with a squeak.
I heard Rowan's voice, tentative and soft. "Is she visible to me?"
Mira gave me a quick look. I didn't respond. Silently, she took a step back.
Entering, Rowan knelt next to the bed. Worry filled his silver look. He didn't appear to have slept. His clothes were still saturated with blood.
"You nearly passed away," he remarked softly.
"I understand," I said.
I recoiled when he extended his hand to brush my hair away from my face.
His hand went cold.
"I apologise," he said.
With a trembling voice, I responded, "I don't want your apology." "I'd like to feel secure."
He drooped his shoulders. "Amara, I'm trying. I'm working on improving myself.”
I looked at him. "You were absent when I most needed you. However, Kian never left.”
His eyes flashed with pain, but he nodded.
"I deserve that," he said.
Then I bit my lip and turned away. I didn't want to witness his suffering. I wanted to get rid of this pain.
I said, "I need time." "Please."
Rowan got to his feet carefully. "I'll wait for however long you require."
I broke down in tears as the door shut behind him.
I sensed someone sit down next to me later that night while I was still in bed, my magic still silent.
When I opened my eyes, Kian was there.
He remained silent. He simply extended his hand and grasped my hand.
I didn't back off.
He gave me a soft glance. "You are not required to speak. All I want is to be present.”
My throat constricted. I leaned into his chest after slowly sitting up. He encircled me with his arms like a cosy shield.
"I'm exhausted," I said.
"I understand," he said, embracing me more tightly.
I choked, "I thought I was strong." "But I'm not"
Kian kissed my head. "You are. You're stronger than anyone I know, even now.”
I let his heartbeat soothe me as I closed my eyes. I felt secure once more for a little minute. Only for a second.
I fell asleep quickly that night.
Peace, however, did not.
It didn't feel like a dream, yet I was standing in one. The surrounding trees were scorched and bent. Blood crimson was the colour of the sky. Like snakes, shadows slithered across the earth.
Then I heard her.
A voice as icy and evil as silk and fog.
"Amara."
I turned around.
She was standing there. "The Hollow Witch"
She had a pale, porcelain-cracked face. Her eyes had a poisonous green light. A smile came to her lips.
"You believed you could defeat me?" She said.
I took a step back, gasping for air.
She said, "I saw your magic." “I had a taste of it. It was like fire coursing through me.”
I shook my head, saying, "No."
"You've used it up," she growled. And you're weak now. Powerless.
At my fingertips, silver light flickered, but it quickly went out.
The witch moved in closer.
"Amara, you are mine. I own your spirit. It always has.”
"NO!" I let out a yell.
Her long fingers, their black nails gleaming with strength, stretched for me.
"Good night, little Priestess," she said.
"I'll be here waiting."
I woke up abruptly in bed, panting and drenched in perspiration.
Kian shifted next to me. "Amara?" he asked blearily.
However, I was already trembling.
Because I could still hear the witch's last words like a curse in my mind.
"I own your soul."