Chapter 67 A Divided Heart
Amara’s POV
With heavy feet, I made my way back to the camp, my heart still in the jungle but my body moving. As the wounded were being attended to, the torches burned low and the air was filled with moans. I maintained a downward eye. Rowan wasn't someone I wanted to see. Kian wasn't someone I wanted to see.
"Amara?" I was initially drawn to Mira's gentle voice. Her eyes scanned my face as she hurried over to me. "You are pallid. What took place outside?
I forced a smile to form on my lips and lied quickly, saying, "I just needed air." "I'm all right."
She scowled more deeply. "No, you're not."
However, I sensed Rowan's presence before I could respond. He moved into the firelight, tall and imposing. His sharp eyes were fixed on me. He whispered, "Amara," as though he had been looking for me the entire time.
I turned my face away despite the stinging stutter of my heart.
Kian followed closely behind. He was only a few paces away, his mouth clenched and his arms folded. His eyes blazed with annoyance. "You vanished without saying anything," he said icily. Are you aware of the impact that had on me? To him? He gave Rowan a nod.
I balled my fists up. "I didn't intend to—"
"You say that all the time," Rowan cut in, his voice gruff but brimming with need. "But you continue to flee from us."
I bit my lip to contain my tears. "I am at a loss for what to do!" I spewed forth the words. "I am unable to decide between you. I feel like I'm betraying the other every time I glance at one of you. And I'm being torn apart by it.
There was silence between us for a moment. The flames hissed and cracked.
With gentle eyes, Rowan stepped forward cautiously. "You don't have to run, Amara. Remain alongside me. I'll keep you safe.
Kian gave a deep growl. "Rowan, she is not solely yours. Don't pretend that I don't exist.
Rowan retorted, "I'm not acting." "I am being honest. You've seen her eyes on me.
It was too much for me to handle—their assertions, their eyes, and their voices. I pivoted on my heel and hurried past them.
"Wait, Amara!" I drew away when Rowan's hand touched my arm.
I firmly responded, "No," even though my voice trembled. "Avoid following me. Both of you. Please.
I quickly climbed into my tent and closed the flap. I sat on the floor with my hands gripping my head as my chest heaved. Every piece of my divided heart ached.
I could still hear Rowan and Kian fighting outside. Their voices were heavy with hurt and rage. And I felt like the weakest link of all since I was stuck between them.
"Why can't I just choose?" I whispered, pressing my hands to my chest.
But I got no response from the night.
Finally, fatigue dragged me down. Darkness encircled me as my eyes fell shut. However, a peculiar heat licked at my skin in place of slumber.
I gasped as I opened my eyes.
There was a fire in the camp.
Higher than the trees, flames blazed, engulfing the night and tents. Wolves let out a painful scream. Kids wept. On the ground, warriors lay shattered, their corpses made of bone and ash.
"No!" I stumbled forward and yelled. "This cannot be real—it isn't real!"
A chilly voice said, "Can't it?" behind me.
Lilith was standing tall in the flames, her cloak billowing, her eyes gleaming with a terrible delight, when I swung around and saw her.
"Cease this!" I yelled. "Now stop it!"
Her voice sounded like smoke and ice as she laughed. "Oh, dear Amara. The future of your camp is not yet here. If you continue to oppose me, this is the only outcome.
I looked around, my eyes stinging with tears. I noticed Rowan lying motionless amid the flames. Beside him, Kian had a punctured chest. My heart broke. "Please, don't let them."
Lilith took a step forward. "Child, you have power. The power to save them. But this is what will happen as long as you reject me and don't give up—death, destruction, and fire.
I violently shook my head. "You're telling lies!"
Her grin was icy and dark. "Am I? Did you not see it in the visions of the spirits? The thing that kills them all is your uncertainty.
I stumbled back. "What are you looking for from me?" A sob escaped my lips.
Lilith's eyes shone brightly. "I want what your bloodline promised me." You. If you voluntarily give yourself, I'll spare them.
The higher the flames roared. A child's cry punctured my ears. My heart broke within me.
"Select me, Amara," Lilith said. "Or watch them burn all."
The louder her words reverberated throughout my skull, until I grabbed my ears and dropped to my knees.
Rowan's hand reaching toward me from the flames was the last thing I saw before the vision engulfed me.
Before the fire engulfed him, he said, "Amara."
I screamed as I woke up.
Around me, the tent was complete. There was no longer any fire. There was silence in the camp. However, I was sweating and my body was trembling.
I could still hear Lilith say, "Give yourself voluntarily, and I will spare them."
And I experienced the perilous pull of temptation for the first time.