We travelled for what felt like days without stopping, but I knew was merely only hours, until my eyes felt like they were about to fall out of my head. The sun had set long ago, and the almost full moon hanging in the dark, inky sky was a haunting reminder that time was running out. We didn’t have long to reach the desert before they sacrificed Elanora. It was the ever-present thought that hung in the back of my mind, continuously being dragged to the front. Time was slipping through my fingers. Deakin spoke very little as the time stretched out, seeming content with his own silence. I could slowly feel his magic starting to thrum back to life, its potency tingling along my spine, knowing that if he wanted to, he could simply incapacitate me. The rational part of my mind questioned as to whether it would work anymore, or if I was now stronger than his particular brand of magic. When I finally brought Midnight to a stop late into the night, my body aching with fatigue and my stomac

When I woke, everything was shrouded in white. My body ached as I forced my eyes open, blinking rapidly, trying to take in my surroundings. Sitting up slowly, I took in the makeshift cot I was lying in and the soft blue dress that clung to my body. The thought that someone had changed my clothes while I was unconscious sent the darkness within me writhing in pleasure and my breath coming in gasps. I tried to move, but was jerked back by a large, metal chain attached to my wrist that I hadn’t even noticed before. It ripped at my shoulder, sending pain spasming through it and along my arm. A low hiss escaped my lips. Kida? A soft voice whispered in my mind. My head whipped around, cracking my neck as I was met with the deep, green terrified eyes of Elanora. “Oh, my Magicians, Elanora!” A sad smile lifted her lips as my eyes hungrily took in her appearance. All things considered, she looked healthy enough and unharmed. Dark circled clung underneath her red rimmed eyed as if she had

When I woke, my head thumped out a steady beat and it felt like I hadn’t had a drink of water in so long. My mouth was dry and chalky. Pain radiated through every fibre of my being. My throat continued to burn as if I had tried to swallow a burning flame, the flesh sensitive every time I tried to swallow. The glow that had illuminated my skin, was snuffed out and darkness pressed heavily around me. The only sound that echoed in the small, metal cage was the sound of my own choked breathing. I wasn’t even sure if Cristian was still in here with me until I heard his soft whisper. “Finally, you are awake!” With a groan, I lifted my body up, leaning heavily against the warm metal. Now that I was accustomed to the darkness, I could make out the tiniest sliver of light coming in, the colour a deep red. “How long have I been out?” “Not long, maybe ten minutes,” he responded softly. I groaned, running my hand through my hair. Thank the Magicians I was only out for a short time. I knew as

My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest and the darkness inside of me swirled, fighting to be released again. Why was everything always so difficult?Tynan had dragged me from the tent only for me to be met with glares of pure, utter hatred. Only fourteen of the hundred or so Dorcha Fae had survived my blast of power, most of them women. Each of them had the tell-tale veins snaking up their neck, but the only one with pure dark eyes left was Cillian. One I recognised, was the Fae who had been taking care of Elanora, Aoife.Just the thought of Elanora sent crippling waves of pain through me. I had let her down and failed her. She had suffered so much, lost so much and it was all because of my ineptitude.Aoife met my gaze, the only one of the Fae to not send death glares my way. Her eyes were red-rimmed and the shuddering sadness that enveloped me when she glanced my way, only added to the immense sorrow I already felt.Tynan pulled me along with him, his steps de