Part 49 (2/2)

Pus.h.i.+ng downward, feeling claws of ice piercing her, reaching for her heart.

She fought through them, forcing images of her heart, whole and strong, beating, beating. Red. Burning, burning. Huge. Pulsing, full of life.Impervious to cold, to ice, repelling the claws. Reaching out, so warm, so full, so strong. Offering... wide open.

I am opening my heart to you. To you, Devin Archer. Only to you.

And it hit her like a wall of flame, the heat of it searing her. Blasting the ice out of her soul, releasing the pressure on her lungs so she could breathe. Heat infused her, all of her, and the rush of pleasure that followed was so complete the blackness in front of her exploded into a shower of tiny, brilliant shards, dissolving into a glittering cloud.

She loved. She'd trusted her heart to the nothingness. And survived. It didn't matter whether the gift was returned or accepted, only that she'd trusted her heart enough to give it away. And it was the strength of that trust that had made the connection.

”Talia.” A gentle hand to her shoulder. But she didn't want to come back.

Never had she been in such a wonderful place. She never wanted to leave. So tired, she just wanted to stay here, floating.

”Talia.” The gentle hand again. ”You must wake.”

She shook her head, stubbornly refusing. Too hard. Too tired. She'd never

been this tired. And then it was too late. The pleasure was receding, leaving only fatigue so bone deep that she wept with the need to find refuge from it.”You must open your eyes and listen to me.”She shook her head, but opened her eyes all the same. ”Where-” The word came out with a hoa.r.s.e rasp. Her throat was raw and her voice was gone. She

looked around her, remembering, slowly, that she'd been on Baleweg's rooftop.She was no longer by the pond, or outdoors. ”Where-” Again she was forced to stop.

Baleweg swam into view, then a gla.s.s was pressed to her lips. ”Sip. Take a sip. It will help.”

She did. The liquid, cool and sweet, felt so good, but it was not enough. She

felt... hollowed out.Baleweg mopped her brow with a damp cloth. ”You've been through an ordeal, Talia, one that would have killed anyone with less heart than you.” He stroked her cheek. ”Your mother would be proud of you. You've used your gift for its intended purpose. But it will take some time for you to recover from it.”

Then she remembered, all of it, what she'd been trying to do. The intense pleasure she felt when she finally surrendered her heart, trusting in her own love enough to give it away. Then her eyes shot wide in alarm as the rest came rus.h.i.+ng back. ”The baby-!”

Baleweg pushed her back to the bed. She was in a bed.

”You made the connection, Talia. I know where they are. I must travel quickly.””Are they... ?” She couldn't put it into words.”I will do my best.”She tried again to sit. ”I'm going.” Her throat was so raw that it was excruciating to speak. Her head immediately reeled, forcing her back to the pillow even before Baleweg could do it for her.

”You can't. You are far too weak.”

Tears of frustration leaked from her eyes.

”No tears.” He leaned in and took her hands in his. ”You were everything you could have been. Everything you've always known you could be. Now it is time for you to heal. You must go easy on yourself.”

”Can I... stay here?”

Baleweg smiled. ”You are here.” He motioned to the room and only then did she realize she was home, in her own bed. In Connecticut.

”XT't ”

No!

He calmed her. ”I cannot leave you alone in my time. There is no one to care for you and you are too unfamiliar with everything to care for yourself. Here you have help.”

”But Emrys-”

”Will have to deal with me. You will be as safe here as anywhere. You are far too weak to travel with me.”

She wanted to argue, but she knew he was right. d.a.m.n, but she hated this.

Archer. How could she just sit back and not fight for him?As if he understood her thoughts, Baleweg took her hand in his. ”You've fought for them as valiantly as any soldier gone to war. You've done your part.” His expression tightened, his eyes steely. ”Now I must do mine. When it is done, I will make certain that you know.””But Emrys... how will you-?””I can only promise that I will do whatever I must to finish this.” He looked beyond her. ”One way or the other.”

She immediately thought of Archer, of never seeing him again, and the resulting pain was so swift it took her breath away. But she'd given her heart,

taken the risk, and she didn't regret it. 'You'll come back,” she whispered.

”Promise me, Baleweg. You have to promise me.”

”All your questions will be answered in time. I must go now.” He pressed her

hand to her heart.

”Trust this. Do not forget.” He straightened and closed his eyes. The triangle opened behind him. There was a flash of something as he stepped through, but her eyes were swimming and she couldn't make it out.

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