Page 147 of To Kill a King

He couldn’t deal with this right now.

Aliya gazed at Elessan. If she concentrated, she could feel his hand holding hers. And his tears falling on her arm.

Don’t cry, El.

“Valek. Cursed moon,” he mumbled. Pulling back, he went to lay her hand back down at her side. “I need to get out of here.”

Aliya twitched. The full moon was tonight?

No, El. Don’t go. She didn’t want to die alone. Seeing his skin come alive with the stars again, well…there were worse things she could have as the last thing she saw.

Making him stay would take effort, though. She closed her eyes and pinched her face tight. There! She’d managed a finger wiggle.

Elessan jumped like he’d been shocked.

“Aliya? Aliya!” He kept his gaze focused on her corporeal body, but she still caught a quick glimpse of tear trails down his face. He mumbled something, but she couldn’t make out the words. His fingers brushed her cheek.

If only she could feel them.

She reached out to brush his tears away, but her hands made no contact.

Don’t be sad, El. You’ve ended the Elven War. She glanced over his shoulder to where Malkov lay. And the king wouldn’t be able to steal anyone else’s magic. She sighed. Her promise to the Mage Underground was fulfilled. At least Elessan wouldn’t lose his life due to her Irrevocable Vow.

Her kernel of magic twitched, pulling at the string as it fought to follow the others she’d freed. The filament stretched thin. She smiled and exhaled. It wouldn’t be long now.

The ceiling overhead darkened.

Elessan’s skin sparkled as galaxies of stars appeared. The bits of twinkling lights were beautiful on him, in contrast to the tortured bits of magic trapped in Malkov’s essence.

Elessan sniffled and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He opened his eyes, which again reflected the same shade and brightness of the full moon.

“Aliya?”

She blinked and tilted her head sideways. His eyes met hers, where she hovered several feet above her body.

Can you see me?

He nodded. “And hear you. What’s going on?” His gaze traced the remaining filament tying her magic to her. “Is this your magic?”

Don’t worry. It won’t be too long now.

“Too long?”

Until the magic separates, and I die.

“What? Do something! Put it back.”

Tried. Can’t. She raised her hand and pointed at the ceiling. It wants to go with the others.

“Others?”

The ones I rescued from Malkov’s robes. They were trapped. But I couldn’t reach them all.

The ocean waves rocked her again, and she closed her eyes.

“No, Aliya! Stay with me.” This time his fingers felt solid on her face as he stroked her phantom cheek. “Please, sweetheart. Open your eyes.”

A teardrop landed on her face.