A Court of Song and Shadow

Chapter 43

No.

I am thrown on the ground as the Valkyrie were able to winnow me away somehow. I jump up as I take in the woods that surround me and I realize I am on the other side of the valley. I look in the distance and see the smoke and hear the clashing of swords of the battle.

"No." I say and I whip my head around when I hear a twig snap and I see Cassian and Azriel stand before me. I let out a sob when I realize they were in on whatever plan Kàra and Tanwyn had created to send me away from battle if they knew they were going to lose.

"Take me back." I snarl at them.

"You know we cannot do that." Cassian says.

"Tanwyn is down there! We need to go help them!" I scream at them, and they just stand there and stare at me. "Why are you just standing there, Cassian, go help them!"

Cassian lifts up his sleeve as he shows me a black line around his wrist, "Tanwyn made me promise years ago to never interfere if she were to die on the battlefield."

"No." I shake my head when I see the tears forming in his eyes, "She is not going to die! I refuse to leave them there. I will not abandon them to Hybern." I let out a sound of pain as I release my broken wings and try to fly back to the battlefield. I quickly fall back to the ground as my broken wings fail to work--I try to winnow away but there is only that small kernel of my powers left inside of me. I used too much of my powers too fast.

"Azriel, please." My voice breaks as I kneel on the ground and look up at them, I know Cassian would not be able to go against the deal that he had made with Tanwyn, but maybe I could convince Azriel.

"I will not bring you to your death," He says softly, "I know you will hate me for it, but I refuse to."

"Please!" I sob the word over and over again as I hear the clashing of swords disappear as the battle soon comes to an end. Cassian walks over to me to try to get me off the ground but I hit and kick him away.

"Velaris, please." His voice breaks again when I refuse to come with them, he kneels down beside me and slowly places his arms around me.

"I am sorry." Cassian says as I realize he was not hugging me--he was just getting close to me so he can pinch the pressure point on my shoulder to make me go unconscious.

I try to fight against the darkness--but I am too weak and the darkness consumes me once again.