Heart Over Sword-Chapter 254: Gone (1)

Evanna forced herself up, scrambling across the ice that started to sink underwater. Waves of the water rushed towards them, breaking the ice further from where the dragon and Ger sank. The noise rumbled across the mountains like that of a mighty roar. The once quiet lake was alive and angry, trying to sink those left into the bottom of its depths.

Arawn raced towards them, running across blasts of ice he kept creating from his hands.

"The ice is collapsing!" Arawn shouted. "Get her out of here!"

"No!" Evanna screamed, tears spilling down her cheeks even in her frail state, her legs buckled beneath her again. Hopelessness swallowed her whole as Axel and Ronan caught her sobbing form, pulling her back by the top of her arms.

"He’s gone, lass. He’s gone! His sacrifice will be nowt if you fall into this lake with him!" Axel snapped harshly into her ear, tugging her backwards before throwing her over his shoulder.

Evanna had no more energy to give. It was spent. Her powers were spent, and her heart throbbed and broke as the tears trickled down her face and black dots started swarming her peripheral vision, completely encasing her.

Axel felt Evanna’s body relax and continued running towards the forest, slipping from the ice cracking and breaking beneath his feet, the water trying to submerge them. Ronan helped him keep his balance even if it meant his own body falling over. He was almost swallowed by the brutal wave of ice, but Axel yanked him up by the collar and threw him ahead of them.

They continuously worked as a team, their hearts pounding wildly in their chests, breathing heavily the crisp air chilling their lungs. That was until Ronan finally pushed Axel ahead. Evanna was more important, and he could keep up.

Although Axel wasn’t the quickest, he still had enough energy to carry the princess. He continued his pace, not thinking about what had happened. There was no time to. He had been harsh with Evanna, but she had to hear it.

Axel, Ronan and Ger made a pact that if one was to fall and the odds did not look in their favour, then they would leave them. It sounded brutal, but they had to make that decision. Axel and Ronan wanted to dive into that water and collect Ger, whether he was alive or if they would find nothing more than his body. But they wouldn’t.

They had to move on.

Axel glanced at Ronan from the corner of his eye, assessing him. He acted the same, moving forwards though there was a noticeable hardness to his eyes, a tightness to his jaw as he ran. Feeling Axel’s stare, Ronan looked behind them, for once not wanting attention.

Arawn almost caught up to them, and from what Ronan could see, there was actually sweat trickling down the side of his face as he created a small barrier to stop the water from rushing towards them. Since reuniting with Evanna and having to converse with Arawn, this was the first time Ronan started to feel grateful for the elf’s presence.

If it wasn’t for Arawn, he was sure more than one person would die in their group today. Ronan inhaled deeply, ignoring the pain that swelled in his chest. He couldn’t admit it yet. Facing forwards, he noted Garrett and Fiza growing closer, features bright, unaware of the loss that came with their victory.

Watching the others running and occasionally slipping along the icy surface, Fiza’s smile gradually dropped. Axel was carrying Evanna. Something wasn’t right. Was it the princess?

It wasn’t that. Fiza could feel it wasn’t that. Ronan and Axel’s features were hard, lips pursed.

Even Arawn’s features, which were usually so stoic, expressed concern. The night fae knew that was only for Evanna, though. She knew beneath that iciness he cared for Garrett, and maybe there was some inkling towards the humans, but she couldn’t confirm or deny that.

Gasping for breath, Axel and Ronan stopped at the edges of the lake, relief lighting their features momentarily. The feel of solid ground and the sinking of snow from their footsteps held some small comfort. At least they would not fall through anything.

Fiza glanced at Arawn, who surprisingly looked tired. Elves and fae hardly fatigued or revealed anything but perfection. She had no such effect. Though, only recently had her endeavours been so.. relaxing.

Fiza was dazed watching Arawn, now standing behind Axel, checking Evanna’s face, moving her long raven locks away from it. Perspiration dampened her forehead, tear streaks stained the grit on her cheeks, and she was incredibly pale.

That was when it hit her.

"Where is Ger?" Fiza questioned, noting the flinch on Axel’s features, which answered her question.

"Gone," Ronan spoke up instead, not meeting Fiza’s eyes as he started to walk past the pair. Garrett’s brows drew together hearing this revelation.

"We should find shelter," Arawn commanded quietly. "Axel, I’ll take her-"

"No." Axel lifted Evanna and held her in a better position. His large arms cradled the princess, holding her back and under her knees, letting her head rest against his chest.

The giant gazed at her for a moment, noting the dried blood from her nose, at the corner of her mouth, ears and even her eyes. Axel glanced at Arawn, who also had some blood at the corner of his mouth but nowhere more.

How could this icy prince suggest carrying her when he was in such a poor state himself?

"You need rest as well. Once we get to the mountain, we should set up camp."

Arawn’s gaze lingered on Evanna, but he did not argue and merely nodded. The prince didn’t generally like being told what to do. In fact, only his father could command him without any repercussions. At times Garrett would also get through to him.

But Axel was right; his limbs felt like jelly, and the strain of magic on his body ached and shot a throbbing pain throughout his skin, prickling at him like an icy burn. The last time Arawn felt like this was when he was young and trying to strengthen his powers through overuse.

Arawn also knew when to act like the arrogant, jerkish prince. Now was not the time. They’d lost Ger to the dragon, and he played a part in his death. Whether it seemed like the right thing to do or not, the others might not deem it so.

As though they all had a similar thought, the group, minus Evanna, glanced back at the spot where Ger and the dragon fell through the ice and into the lake. The lake would, by nightfall, be iced over once more. This time the dragon never to wake again, and Ger’s body to remain at the bottom of the lake in an icy tomb.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m