Chapter 36 The Postponed Decision
Amara’s POV
I put my arms over myself and sat on the bed. My mark continued to pulse subtly, serving as a reminder of the voices and visions yelling, "Choose! "
Mira showed up in my room like a chilly breeze creeping between the cracks before I had even fully recovered. She entered quietly, her silver robe shimmering. Tonight, her face appeared older and more worn out, as if the stars had sapped her energy.
“Mira,” I said, my throat dry. "What is going on with me? "
Her eyes were steady as she sat across from me. "Did you not hear them? The spirits of destiny.
Slowly, I nodded. "They told me I had to make a decision. Kian or Rowan. And something horrible will occur if I don't.
A thin line of her lips squeezed together. "Yes."
I took a look at the door. Even though Rowan and Kian weren't present, I could sense their energy outside, like the quiet before a storm.
“I don’t want to choose,” I said, grasping my knees. "I adore both of them. They also adore me. Why would the spirits make such a harsh request? "
Mira's voice stayed stern, but her eyes softened. "Because two people were never supposed to share your power."
I looked at her. "What are you saying? "
She bent over. “You are the Vessel of Balance, Amara. The middle ground between fire and night. Only one soul was intended to receive your bond. However, two people have now claimed it. Your mark has been woken by two.
"I'm not to blame! Anger building in my chest, I snapped. "This is not what I asked for! I didn't decide to have a bond with both! "
"No, you didn't," she said tactfully. "However, that doesn't alter the necessity."
With tears stinging my eyes, I turned away. And if I decide on one? "
She remained quiet for a while.
She eventually spoke what I didn't want to hear.
"The other one might shatter."
I blinked. "What? "
"You have a strong bond," she added quietly. More profound than a typical mate bond. It is infused with fate, power, and magic. The mark will cut the link to the other if you select one. And the agony might be... intolerable.
I felt sick to my stomach. I was chilly all over.
"So what? Why might Kian die if I choose Rowan? Or lose your mind? Or Rowan will if I choose Kian. What? Break? "
Mira took a while to respond. Her quiet was sufficient.
I gave a headshake. "That is unfair! Why must someone be destroyed by love? "
"Love doesn't destroy," she said. It's strength. The type you possess.
I frantically wiped at my eyes. "There must be an alternative."
"I've looked," she declared. "I've pleaded with the stars. They keep quiet. This route was penned ages ago.
I snarled, "Well, then, they can burn their foolish path." "Because I'm not making a decision. Not quite yet. Not in this manner.
Mira rose slowly. Then postpone it. But not indefinitely. The world is not patient, but the spirits are.
I got to my feet, my voice trembling. “How long do I have? "
At the door, she hesitated. "Until the moon's blood appears." When it does, the bond will decide for you if you don't make a choice. Additionally, its decision can be harsh.
Breath seized in my throat, and I staggered back. "No."
She looked at me one last time. "Amara, get your heart ready. Because everything will change when the moon turns crimson.
Then, like smoke in the wind, she was gone.
I slumped to the floor, heart beating in my chest. They could break one of them. They might lose one of them. And I had to make a decision?
Which half of your heart do you decide to rip out?
As Rowan's footsteps reverberated down the hallway, I stood motionless, each one tugging at my chest like a rope being pulled. He didn't turn around. He didn't speak again. He simply walked away.
Silence enveloped me like a dense mist.
I still held Kian's hand. Grounding, steady, and warm. I raised my look to meet his. They were filled with pain, not only his own. He was also in pain for me.
My voice cracked as I said quietly, "I didn't want this." "I never intended to cause you any harm."
"I understand," he uttered quietly. He extended his hand and used his thumb to wipe a tear from my cheek. However, everything is intertwined: the conflict, the friendship, and the love. And you are not at fault for any of it.
I pressed myself against his chest, desperate for solace and something tangible. His arms encircled me, secure and powerful.
I said, "Kian, I'm at a loss for what to do." Mira warned that if I pick one of you, the other might shatter. What if I shatter both of you? What happens if I hurt myself? "
He drew back just enough to look me in the eye. "We'll rebuild after that. Together.
My heart tightened. What made him so selfless? So devoted? After all?
He continued, maintaining eye contact, "I meant what I said." "Regardless of what occurs. Regardless of who you decide on. You will be loved by me. Always.
My eyes began to well up with more tears. But how are you able to say that? What happens if I don't pick you? "
Despite a minor tightening of his jaw, he continued to look. "I'll accept that then. I'll act as my Alpha for you. I'll fight until the very end with you. And I will always love you. Even if my heart doesn't get better.
I was devastated by that. Totally.
I grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him. Not because I had a choice. Not quite yet. However, he was entitled to know that his love was important. That I got it. That it had an impact.
I pressed my forehead to his as we separated.
"Kian, I'm afraid."
"I am, too," he said. However, I would rather confront that fear than allow Lilith to triumph. Amara, we've gone too far. You have progressed too far.
Footsteps reverberated down the hall abruptly. Heavy. Hurried. With startled eyes, Mira emerged from the doorway.
"You must attend. Right now.
I felt sick to my stomach. "What is it? "
She looked over her shoulder as though to see if anyone was following. It's the army of Lilith. They are retreating. Retrenchment
"What? Kian took a step ahead. "What would make them turn back now? "
Mira looked startled and responded, "I don't know." However, it's not finished yet. There is no tranquillity here. It's a tactic.
Deep in my bones, I sensed it too. This was the quiet before a more significant storm. Lilith was not going to give up. She waited. Observing. Preparing a worst-case scenario.
Kian's hold on my hand tightened once more as we exchanged anxious glances.
I took a deep breath. "Come on. We must observe ourselves.
We hurried outside in the direction of the lookout point. There was an odd, sour smell in the wind. Smoke. Enchantment. Blood. But silence, too.
As we arrived at the ridge, several warriors were already there, looking around the forest with their swords drawn.
And Lilith's army was gone, as Mira had predicted. There was not a single cursed wolf to be seen.
All that was left were the ashes.
But I sensed it far away, beyond the charred trees.
A shiver went up my back.
It wasn't over yet.
It was just the start.
Lilith remained outside, awaiting her next move.
The breeze changed as I looked into the deserted woods, and a whisper followed. Not from the trees. Not from ghosts.
But from the earth.
A voice—ancient, gentle, harsh.
"She waits below," it growled. "The Hollow Witch will soon rise."
My heart stopped beating.
Lilith was just the beginning.
There was worse to come.