Page 123 of This Shattered Star

I didexactlywhat I needed to. I consumed the magic nestled in the Temple of Borealis. Just like every Starlight Champion before me. Butnothing. Happened.

My decision was made then.

There were hundreds of vials with glowing liquid in that chamber. I would down every single one of them if that was that it took.

Even if the pain threatened to kill me first.

For either I would lift my curse here, and now, or I would die trying.

I would not return to Aedreath without magic. I would not return powerless, head muddled with shadow and madness.

No. I would return as the very monster it had shaped me into. The blood shed would be that ofmychoosing.

And, stars, was I looking forward to the rain.

Somethingstirred in my chest then, foreign, and cold. My eyes widened as I stared at my palms expectantly. But it wasn’t fire that wove between my fingers like fine silk, nor was it water that wound up my palms in ribbons, reaching towards my wrists.

Shadows, writhing like any snake would, moved along my skin.

Shackles. Damning, visible proof that the gods still held me in their grip.

I had no magic.I failed.

“No,” I croaked again, unable to tear my eyes away. The shadows grew, encasing my hands completely.

Like a trembling newborn fawn, I stood. It didn’t matter that my legs could barely hold my weight. I forced one foot in front of the other, back towards the entrance of the temple. Only when I made it to the first stair did I look up, the sound of boots scuffing against stone drawing my attention to my right.

Kodhan, alive and whole, leaned against the wall of the temple, a pained expression marring his face. Yet no visible wounds marked him.

Where were you?I should have asked.Are you alright? Are you hurt?

Instead, I held out my hands—mycursedhands. “It didn’t work,” I whimpered, the words breaking off into a sob. “It didn’t work!”My knees gave out from under me.

He shot into motion. Gathered me into his arms before I could collapse. Then settled on the bottom stair, sitting me in his lap.“I’ve got you,” he murmured as he studied my still outstretched hands.

My sobs turned into wails. “I failed. It was all for nothing.” The dam finally broke. Crumbled into thousands of pieces. “Theia and Brannon died fornothing.” Tears slid down my cheeks in endless rivers. “I have to get back inside.”

I tried pushing out of his lap, but Kodhan held fast. “Let me go,” I cried.“I need to go back!”

“Stop.” Kodhan gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. My world was suddenly filled with jade. “There is nothing of worth for you in there.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me. Not now.” Salt spread along my tongue as a stray tear slipped between my lips. “Look at my hands. It’s gottenworse.” I tried jerking my chin out of his grip, but it was no use.

“I am not lying to you, little viper.”

“I have to drink more of it,” I pressed on. “If enough light floods my veins, it’ll wash out the dark. I swear, you won’t need as much as me.” I sounded crazed now. But I didn’t care.

“The vials won’t work, Eloise.” His eyes shuttered, and lines bracketed the sides of his mouth. Again, with that pained expression.

“There’s enough for both of us. I can break my curse, but you—” I faltered when his gaze darkened. “You’ll be unstoppable.”

“Enough. That’senough. Listen to me.”

“Please,” I forced out. Then, on a whisper. “I’m running out of time.”

His brows drew together. “What do you mean?” Realization sparked behind his gaze, turning that darkness into a promise of death. “He’s threatened you, hasn’t he?”

I shook my head.