He sucks in a breath, looking as though he doesn’t know what to say now. “I don’t… I don’t love you.”
I freeze, the words echoing through me, more painful than anything I have ever heard.
“I don’t love you, Liz. That’s why I’m leaving you. You’ll never see me again. I’m sorry for leading you on. I suppose I… mistook pity for love. You’re fun to be with. But I’m a light fae. I’m awakened. Stop hearing only what you want to hear and hear the truth. I’m not your soul bond.”
I slump back in the seat, finally accepting what he’s saying even though my heart is hammering in panic.
I have no more fight in me, not when it only results in crueler words.
Could he be right? Is he really not my soul bond?
“I’ll always be grateful for our night together,” he says, glancing over at me. “And consider you a friend, but—”
“Don’t do that,” I say sharply. “Don’t try to do the whole, ‘It’s not you; it’s me.’ Not when you just said you don’t love me.”
He looks over at me, his eyes welling with regret and resignation and something that I would have said was love.
But then he simply opens the door to the car, tosses me the keys, and walks away.
A few feet into the sunlight, he simply vanishes.
And panic sets in once again.
I lean the chair back and wonder what I’m supposed to do now. The whole world just fell to hell, and it feels like I’m breaking.
How could he do this? How could he leave me?
We had such a beautiful night together.
His face was so cold…
He doesn’t love me.
How is that possible?
I sit up in the chair as resolve fills me. Clearly, he wanted a clean breakup. More than anything, he didn’t want me to follow him.
He said he wasn’t a fighter, but he’s heading into a storm alone because he says I can’t be with him.
But he was right when he said I was a fighter like Flynn.
And now that I’ve found the only person I want to truly fight for, I’m not letting him go.
Even if he doesn’t want me anymore.
22
Liz
As I lock Ian’s car and head into the apartment, I try to figure out just what I’m going to tell his friends when I ask for their help.
I know they won’t hesitate, but I don’t know if they’ll be mad at Ian and me for keeping this from them.
Either way, I don’t care as long as we get to Ian before something terrible happens.
I go to Flynn’s door, knock, and tell him to grab the others and gather at Ian’s apartment.
Flynn doesn’t even hesitate, just tells me he’ll get everyone together as soon as he can.
Not five minutes later, we’re all gathered in Ian’s living room, and everyone is looking at me eagerly, waiting for answers.
I explain as quickly as I can about Ultraviolet and the dragon and how they have a deal together due to Ultraviolet’s help in the light world.
I talk to them briefly about how Ian had decided not to go through with it and, as of last night, was planning to ask them all for help.
Flynn cocks his head, disconcerted. “I don’t understand. If he was going to come to us for help, why isn’t he here now?”
Brett puts both hands to his head as he leans forward, and Avery gently strokes his back. “The big idiot, hiding everything from us.” He looks up at Avery. “Have we been ignoring him? We all found our soul bonds, and—”
“No,” Avery says, shaking her head. “He knows you all support him. And we were only backing off a bit because he and Liz were connecting so well.”
Tanner nods, straightening on the couch next to Eva. “I thought he was doing better. I thought the two of you were going to bond. He wasn’t moody anymore.”
I shrug. “That was the plan, but this morning, he changed his mind for no reason.” My heart clenches painfully. “I don’t know if it’s because I pushed him further than he was ready to go or—”
“No,” Flynn says. “No one can make Ian do something he doesn’t want to. Well…” He trails off, looking to the side. “He can apparently be manipulated, since he’s been working with Ultraviolet and we didn’t even know. But you don’t seem to be the type who would ever stoop to that.” He looks at me questioningly.
“Never,” I say quickly. “And right now, I don’t really care about my own feelings. I just want him back safe.”
Flynn stands. “We’ll have to go to the fae world. Tanner, we’ll need a portal.”
“Got it,” Tanner says. “I’m going to call the oracle, see if she can get us there immediately.”
My heart wells with gratitude, seeing everyone come together to help the man I love.
Callie comes over to me, then puts her arms around me. “I’m sure there’s an explanation for all of this. He cares about you. I know he does. And Ian… he’s not the type to cut and run. He’d do anything for those he cares about. So try to be patient, and we’ll figure this all out soon.”
I give her a weary smile and release her to go over to Flynn, who looks so worried he probably needs her more than I do.
Truthfully, no one can comfort me with anything they say.
Not until my soul bond is safe.
Brett looks over at me while Tanner talks on the phone to someone in an urgent tone. “Liz, have you awakened?”
I shake my head. “No.” Guilt runs through me. Perhaps if I had by now, Ian wouldn’t have gone. “Does that mean I’m not his soul bond?” The anguish in my voice makes everyone turn to face me.
Brett is the one to shake his head, a fierce expression on his face. “The only ones who can decide if you two are meant to be together are you two. We don’t know how awakening works. But we know how Ian feels about you. We’ve known him for a while now. I’d trust your heart instead of some mercurial show of power.”
“Aw, Brett,” Flynn says, walking over to throw his arm around Brett’s shoulders. “Look how much you’ve grown. You used to be all ‘power this and power that.’”
Brett shoves him off but gives him a small grin. “Even I can grow. And this place has been good for that. Avery has been good for that.” He gives his soul bond a warm look that makes my heart melt. Then his expression hardens. “My friends have been good for that. And one of them is in trouble, and I’m not going to stop until he’s safe.”
Flynn lets out a sigh. “But will Ian be angry with us for bringing Liz along, given that she has no powers to protect her?”
“She has us to protect her,” Tanner says, hanging up his phone and shoving it in his pocket. “And besides, if anyone can get through the chaos controlling Ian, because chaos is the only thing that explains this, it’s his soul bond.”
“You have to believe,” Flynn says, looking at me. “If you want him forever, you have to let him see your bond. Save your doubts for after. Can you do that?”
My hands go into fists, and I rise to my full height. “Of course I can. I’m a fighter. Ian knows that. And if he thinks I’m not going over there to drag his butt back, he’s wrong.”
Flynn laughs. “Good.” Then he looks at Tanner. “We ready?”
Tanner nods, then opens the door and waves for us to follow. “One portal to the fae world coming right up.”
As we trail out the door, I cast one more look at my painting, which is tucked into the corner.
I’m not sure why I was inspired to paint it, but my eyes are drawn to it now for some reason.
Light and dark, clashing and glowing.
It means something. Maybe by the time I get to Ian, I’ll know what.
Ian
I’m on one knee, sweating all over as I fight back Dallin’s final command.
Everything is chaos right now in the light kingdom.
Kids are running with their mothers. Warriors are trying to fight Ultraviolet and Dallin.
Dallin freed the last dragon that was held
in the lab, and he’s just standing not far from me, looking around as if he’s confused as to what’s going on.
I am also.
I still can’t believe any dragon has a power so incredible.
I still can’t get Liz’s face out of my mind.
And I’m still praying in every moment that she doesn’t try to find me.
I can feel, as my cells fight to give in to Dallin’s commands, that this isn’t going to end well.
And why is it so hard all of a sudden? Why was I so naive, so chaos infected as to agree to this in the first place?
Everything changed when I met Liz, but she didn’t change me. She just brought me back to who I really am.
And now, doing what Ultraviolet and Dallin want is unbearable.
“Now,” Dallin says. “Do it now.”
Pain flashes through me like lightning, hurting as much as when that elder killed me with his wand. “Your dragons are free. You’ve killed the main elder. Let’s stop this. Innocents don’t need to die.”
“No one benefitting from our slavery is innocent,” Dallin says. “This is a message to the fae world. Dragons aren’t their slaves or prey anymore. And when I use one of their most powerful to kill the highest kingdom, they’ll see that they never should have put us in cages at all.”
I tremble, still trying to stay on one knee, though my body is trying to rise. “So many light fae don’t know about this. They lead simple lives. Fae in every kingdom give their lives to battle chaos. Most dragons are not mistreated, and—”
“Save it,” Dallin says. “I lost the ability to feel pity for your kind long ago.”
I know that. I’ve been trying to fight him, to get back to Liz, to talk some sense into him ever since this invasion started.
“Dallin, there could still be a life for you. You haven’t done anything wrong yet, but if you kill innocents, if you destroy me along with them, you’ll never be the same.”
“Save it,” Dallin says. “I’m not going to tell you again, but there’s no point in fighting me.”
“Besides, we need a fresh start,” Ultraviolet says, stepping up next to him. “And then I’ll bring whoever is willing to serve me and rule the light kingdom.”
I look at Dallin. “You think he is going to do better? You think you’re more than a slave to him?”
Dallin glares at me. “Vexxus is my friend, and you won’t say another word about him.”
“He’s leaking chaos,” I say, looking over at Ultraviolet, who is grinning malevolently. “Maybe the two of you started out with good intentions, but this has gone too far.”
“Shut up and go die,” Ultraviolet says, and I realize with horror that his eyes are totally dark.
The sardonic fae with an oddly soft heart at times is nowhere to be seen. He is completely consumed by chaos.
“Look at him,” I say to Dallin. “Really look at him. You could just go home with your friends—”
“I intend to,” Dallin says. “I’ll take them to Earth. Hide there until we die, since we probably won’t last long due to all the experiments.”
“There are healers in the shifter world,” I say. “Dragons and others who could help you. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Dallin’s turquoise eyes soften as he considers it for a moment, then narrow as he shakes his head. “No. I’ve been waiting all my life. The light kingdom must pay.”
Ultraviolet nods, but I can see that his madness for power is all he sees now.
“Who will you rule after I kill everyone?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Ultraviolet says. “As the last light fae in this world, I’ll have total say over what everyone else does. Perhaps I’ll pick the most powerful of each kingdom as slaves, and—”
“Look at what you’re doing,” I say to Dallin. “Listen to him. He’s not right.”
Dallin sighs. “That’s your fault. When he found out you were ditching us…” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore. Now do what you came for.” His voice lowers into that commanding tone that cuts right to the bone. “Kill them all with your flash.”
For the first time, I hate being so powerful.
I only wanted to help people, but now I’m going to use my powers only to hurt.
And the worst part is I’ll be hurting Liz also and never see her face again.
Though the pain is unbearable, I shake as I continue to try and fight him.
“Amazing,” Dallin says. “I have no idea how you’re fighting me off.”
“Is this going to work?” Ultraviolet asks.
“Oh yeah,” Dallin says. “In a few seconds, it’ll break him.”
And he’s right. I can feel my muscles moving against my will. Like my body is encased in a robotic exoskeleton that moves it against my will, I feel myself stand and start walking toward the center of the courtyard.
Sparkling opal surrounds me as I walk up the stairs to the main castle and look up at the sky, where I’ll have to go soon.
But just as I’m about to take off, I hear a familiar voice call out to me, and it gives me the power to fight back Dallin’s command.
Just for one more moment.
“Wait!” Tanner calls, looking slightly the worse for wear in full battle form with his black armor and his wand out. “Ian, you don’t have to do this.”
“Stop!” Liz yells. “Whatever they told you to do, it’s not right. It’s chaos.”
My heart stops as I look at her. Dear God, how can I hurt my soul bond?
“Do it,” Dallin says, and I feel my blood light on fire.
If I could stop this, even by dying, I would. But I can’t now.
“I’m sorry,” I say, looking at Liz as my wings unfurl and my true form comes out. “I love you. I’ll love you till the moment my heart stops.”
She reaches out, heartbreak in her dark eyes, but in the next moment, I’m flying up, up into the sky, carried by wings I don’t control.
I hover far above the kingdom, feeling energy build in me.
Even now, I try to fight it, but I can feel it won’t be long.
“Get her out of here!” I scream down at my friends as all of my skin starts glowing with pent-up energy.
But I can tell they don’t understand, and it’s about to be too late.
23
Liz
I run to Dallin, grabbing his arm, not caring what he’s going to do to me. “What’s going on?” I yell at him. “What are you making him do?”
Dallin has an almost regretful look in his eyes, but his expression is firm. Resolute. “What he agreed to in the first place.”
“You know he wasn’t in the right place to make that decision,” I say, practically spitting in a panic to save my soul bond.
I look up in the sky, see him twisting, bathed in light. “What is happening? Why is he doing this?”
“All of you shouldn’t have underestimated dragons,” Dallin barks at us. “If you know what an emerald dragon is, then you know there’s no way for him to turn back.”
Tanner gasps. “I know about emerald dragons. How do you—”
“Ask the light fae,” Dallin mutters. “Oh wait, they’ll all soon be dead for what they’ve done.”
“What’s going on? What do you mean?”
“He can command with words imbued with magic,” Tanner says. “I researched all types of dragons in case I had to fight one. It’s extremely dangerous. Which explains why Ian left you. It wasn’t his choice.”
“No,” I say because a part of me is relieved he didn’t choose to leave me, but a part of me is even more horrified that he’s being forced into this against his will. It means I was right to come here. “What are you making him do?” I ask Dallin.
“He’s going to eradicate the light kingdom,” Dallin says. “Get rid of the rot at the top of this brutal world.”
I shake my head. “There will always be rot. You are killing innocent people.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Ian i
s innocent. You know that,” I say. But it’s clear that Dallin is beyond hearing sense.
And given what has happened to him and the other dragons, I’m not sure I blame him.
I glare at Ultraviolet. “This is your fault.”
He just glowers at me. “I told you to stay out of it. Now you’re going to burn as well.”
Dallin waves a hand, bringing up an emerald shield. “Anyone who doesn’t want to die, come on in. Even the light fae.” He nods to Callie. “You were kind to me when I was in your home.” He then looks at me. “Ian would want me to save you.”
My heart pounds as my friends look at one another, and we all make a decision.
“No,” Brett says. “We’re not leaving him.”
“It won’t matter in a moment,” Dallin says.
“There are kids here,” Flynn says, looking panicked.
“Kids who would have grown up in a toxic system. Kids who were born above tortured, dying dragons. Where are my kids?” Dallin is too bent on vengeance to see sense.
“Stop him,” I beg. “You think this will feel good, but it won’t. Please. You need to stop him.”
Dallin looks up at the sky. “He wouldn’t hear me right now anyway.”
“Don’t you dare get second thoughts,” Ultraviolet says, sneering at him. “To leave any of them alive is a dishonor to your dead brethren. If you leave them alive, they will simply build more labs when they grow up.”
Dallin shudders slightly, and I understand that whatever happened in those labs must have been true horror to shake a huge, tough man like that.
God, I just want none of this to happen.
And my heart is pounding, time frozen as I stare at Ian twisting in the sky and fighting to disobey Dallin’s command.
Even now, my beautiful soul bond is fighting, unwilling to give up.
I just want to hold him one more time.
I just want my wings so I can go to him and help him. I need to be by his side.
There has to be something I can do.
I feel something stirring in me, bursting out from behind a wall I tried to erect a long time ago.
Loved by Light (Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds Book 4) Page 15