Chapter Nine
Sofie struggled to lift her limp body off the ground. She had never channeled that much power before—she doubted anyone had—and it left her near the point of oblivion. But now was not the time to surrender to weakness.
Something had happened.
She used every ounce of strength and the stone coffin to haul herself up to where the two bodies lay.
Malachi’s gift, embedded deep within Romeria’s chest and glowing with radiant flame, was quickly fizzling. As was the glimmer of light from the gold in her ring.
Sofie’s insides churned with nerves as she watched the tokens extinguish. Her task was complete. Now, there was nothing she could do but wait.
Wait—and pray the girl did not fail her.
She retrieved her engagement ring. The spells she had affixed to it were bound to Romeria’s new form now. There was no need to adorn a corpse.
A scraping sound pulled her attention behind her. She knew before turning that Malachi had returned, unbidden. She was on the verge of collapse, but she bowed as she did every time, dropping to her knees, her forehead touching the stone.
“Rise.”
The Fate of Fire stood before her with his horn fully restored. He had roared in agony when he severed it, but had promised it would return. “It is complete. She is now tied to Islor for as long as she lives.” His piercing gaze rolled over Sofie’s shape.
She knew what he had come for this time. Was this a requirement of all his elementals, or was she special in this way?
Shedding her clothes, she climbed onto the altar.