Page 98 of Secrets of Avalon
He doesn't flinch. "I need her to live, too," he states, his calm infuriating. "That's why you can trust me."
"Who are you?" I demand.
"A creature time forgot.” He pauses and reaches for her hand, his voice softening. “It does not matter. Now are you going to let me help her?"
Every fiber of my being screams to protect her, to keep her from this stranger's touch. But as I look at her pale face, I know I have no choice. I stare at the Atlas, my heart racing, and put Melinda gently on the ground between us. The knights and Kellan crowd close, but don’t interfere.
Fucking riddles. Fucking storyteller.
Atlas takes her hand, and I fight the urge to rip it away. My jaw clenches as he places his other hand on the tree trunk. As he begins to breathe deeply, a glow spreads across his skin and Melinda's. The air grows thick with energy, pressing against my skin like a physical force.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of hope and terror. Is it working? Or am I letting this stranger hurt her even more?
Suddenly, Melinda's eyes fly open, wide with panic. Relief floods through me, quickly followed by concern. I reach for her instinctively, desperate to comfort her, to shield her from whatever's causing her fear.
"Stop," Atlas snarls, his voice inhuman. "Not safe."
The command hits like a hoof to the chest. Every instinct screams at me to ignore him, to gather Melinda in my arms and run. But the glow intensifies, nearly blinding, and I force myself to stay still. Every muscle in my body is coiled tight, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger.
"My sweet girl," I whisper, my voice shaking with the effort of restraint. "He's helping you. Let him help you." The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I push on, clinging to the hope that this is saving her.
She nods, her body relaxing slightly.
I watch, feeling more helpless than I ever have in my life, as magic flows between them. The sight of yet another man touching her, sharing magic with her, sends a spike of jealousy through me that I am immediately ashamed of. This isn't about me. It's about saving her life.
I hold my breath, praying that this gamble will save the woman I love.
CHAPTER 36
Recharging The Batteries
Melinda Mayweather
A canopy of delicate white flowers shimmers above me, their petals dancing against pale green leaves. The branches droop around us like a living curtain. The sweet scent of blossoms mingles with the electric tingle of magic, thick in the air.
Atlas kneels beside me, one hand gripping mine, the other pressed against the tree's trunk. An otherworldly light pulses from his skin, matching the rhythm of power flooding into me. It’s so much. Too much.
I try to pull away, but his grip tightens.
My heart pounds against my ribs. Questions race through my mind: What's happening? Did the shield work? Did I hurt anyone? The city? Hawke? I can’t speak, but I push the questions rapid-fire through our bond, but the connection is muffled, like shouting underwater.
Hawke hovers inches away, his outstretched hand trembling, not quite touching me. My fingers twitch, desperate to bridge the gap. I need him to touch me. I try to speak aloud, but choke on the words. White-hot pain flares through my body and I grimace.
“You’re hurting her,” Hawke snarls, his eyes flashing dangerously at Atlas.
Atlas' jaw clenches. "You'd rather her dead?" He presses his palm harder against my skin, forcing more power into my body. The magic crackles through me, setting every nerve alight.
My gaze darts around, seeking familiar faces. Kellan stands guard at my feet, a solid, protective presence. Boaz, Fen, and Wraith shift restlessly, just outside the curtain of branches.
Another wave of power crashes through me, and panic rises like bile in my chest. My breath comes in short, sharp gasps as the magick threatens to overwhelm me. Visions of death flash before my eyes—what if I lose control again? The faces of those I love blur with imagined scenes of destruction. My fingers curl into fists, nails biting into my palms as I struggle to contain the surging energy. It's so much.
You need this magick, Domina. You were dying without it. You have already learned to control it well in the short time you’ve been in Avalon. Siva’s voice echoes softly in my head, trying to assure me this power is necessary and not evil.
My racing heart skips a beat. I close my eyes, focusing on the steady rhythm of my breathing. The magick swirling within me, less like an evil raging storm, and more like a powerful river I can direct.
Maybe so. I answer back to Siva. Though it’s hard to believe that something I saw as a curse for so many years… could possibly be managed. But she’s right. I have gotten more control of my magick in the few days I’ve been in Avalon than my entire life so far.
Energy thrums through my veins. So opposite of emptiness I felt moments ago. My skin tingles with renewed vitality, each breath filling my lungs with crisp, flower-scented air. The world around me seems sharper, more vibrant. If someone asked me to lift a car, I’m pretty sure I could right now.