Page 76 of The Last Guardian

Zaidkiel’s essence merged with mine, caressing my body, my skin, my soul with a gentle warmth. A heat emanated from his palms in a sweet and delicious burn.

I pulled away from his grasp, putting some distance between us, as my eyes wandered around the field, evening settling in the sky, night creeping in around us.

My mind processed what happened in there, the Void sucking me into another place. The strings crafted with stars and my fall into the Anchor. The Threshold.

“You—”

I can see and follow you everywhere during the Rite, and this time, I completely lost you.

I pointed my finger at the man in front of me. “You can see everything when I’m in the Void?” My heart stumbled in my chest, ringing in my ears like a tambourine on the verge of explosion.

Zaidkiel blinked, surprise coursed his eyes at my question. “Yes.”

Oh, no.

Zaidkiel slid his hand in his pockets, stepping back.

“My fears, nightmares.” My voice trembled. “My memories…”

Zaidkiel lowered his gaze, his jaw clenching as he nodded.

I froze, a striking pain piercing my chest. Every cell in my body trembled.

“I’m not interested in spying on your memories, Princess,” Zaidkiel said. His voice so gentle it caught me off guard. “I thought Arystan warned you about this.”

For some reason, that wasn’t what startled me the most, or even what frightened me the most. No, what frightened me was the person with whom he could share these fears, these memories. One of those people from whom I had hidden this hollow that had settled deep inside my soul, the damage that had taken root in my heart since Mother’s death.

“Whatever you’re going to see in my memories, in my fears—” I swallowed as Zaidkiel met my eyes once more. “Don’t say anything to Arthur,” I breathed. And with every fiber of my being, I bore my eyes into his. “He can never know.”

Zaidkiel stared—just stared at me. Not a single muscle moved; I wasn’t sure if he was still breathing.

His nostrils flared as he clenched his jaw, and he finally said, “I won’t share anything about this.” He stopped for a moment, letting the words sink between us, before adding, “With anyone.”

Something stirred between us, his promise inking itself in my soul as I breathed out in relief. “Thank you.”

Zaidkiel nodded, shifting his head slightly to the camp, where fires had already been lit for the night to come. Children’s laughter and music echoed in the background.

“However…” Zaidkiel said. His gaze darkened, and his eyes met mine once more. “Eirlys has to know about your Threshold.”

THE PATHS WERE crowded as we headed to the camp. We passed people laughing and sharing a meal around small fires whose glow flickered on their faces. Children ran in circles around the tents, their innocent laughter echoing in the night. The smell of grilled meat and smoke tickled my nostrils.

People already gathered around a fire to dine as a couple danced together to tambourine music, moving in rhythm with the beats.

When we finally arrived in front of the council’s tent, Zaidkiel opened the flap, inviting me to enter. The crackling fire illuminated the large room, where the massive table still stood. As I passed by him, my eyes fell on Eirlys’ violet crescent moon, lit on her forehead as it fed on every light. Her silken black hair fell in waves on her shoulders.

“Highness.” Eirlys smiled, slightly bowing her head. Her eyes drifted to the man entering behind me. “Commander.” The woman rose gracefully from her chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit tonight?” Eirlys moved closer to me, each step carefully grounded, as if the whole world beneath her feet were hers. Her fingers played with the cloth of her black dress. She looked into my eyes. “Oh, she has already passed a Threshold. My.”

How…?

Seven Hells, my mind! She could read my mind.

Zaidkiel groaned behind me. “Don’t you fucking dare read my thoughts, Eirlys,” the commander ordered in a dark, measured voice, “or hers.”

Eirlys’ red lips curled into a false apologetic smile. “I apologize,” she said, shrugging. “Bad habits.” Her eyes glinted in the same hue as the crescent moon. “How can I help you regarding this matter?”

I turned to Zaidkiel, who leaned against one of the shelves, a grim expression on his face. “Something sucked her into the Void,” Zaidkiel explained to Eirlys, sliding his hand into his pockets.

The gravity of his voice sent shivers down my spine.