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Still, she fights, healing my brother slowly but surely, pushing every speck of magic she has into him.
"Mace," she gasps, staring at the wound that is still too big, "I refuse to let you die. I refuse to live this life without you. I cannot and will not do this without you by my side."
Her voice is broken, tears streaming down her face, and for a moment, I do not see the Shadowweaver. I see eighteen-year-old Viola Mistflow falling to her knees and crying when she realizes her parents abandoned her.
I search within myself, summoning all of the devotion, love, and belief I have for Viola and push it into her.
I can feel it traveling from my body to hers, draining me and my magic as it does.
"It's working, it's working!" Viola says as the wound continues to knit closed, the speed increasing. My body is on fire as I pour everything I have into my God.
My Shadowweaver.
I am unwilling to acknowledge what this pain in my chest means as I weave everything I have into my devotion to Viola as her high priest. I can feel the pure burst of magic transfer from me to her. For just a single moment, I see a devastatingly bright flare of devotion to the Shadowweaver centering around me.
"Mace!" she gasps, and I see the wound is healed and hear my brother take a deep breath as I collapse on the ground.
Stars fill my eyes, and everything fades black, my heart slowing down.
My limbs are so heavy.
I can hear Viola now, screaming at me, yelling, shaking me.
I want to tell her it's okay.
I want to tell her that I knew what would happen and that I chose this.
I want to tell her that being her high priest was the greatestblessing I was ever given.
I can't feel her hands on me anymore.
I can't feel anything anymore.
I thought this would hurt.
I thought I would be scared.
But I'm not.
I know I did the right thing.
After all, devotion is stronger when it comes with a sacrifice.
Chapter 43
Viola
Zeph goes still in my arms, his heart stops beating, and I feel the draw unravel as I stare at his motionless body.
Amaryn's shrill laughter echoes in my ears.
"What a weak high priest," she shouts joyfully. "Can't even support his God. Look at what you've done, Viola. You've killed him. You've destroyed the Gods. You have ruined Krillium. It will never recover from you."
I look up from my high priest's still and silent body and see Morrow crouched before me, and I feel Tulip's arms wrap around my shoulders. I gently place Zeph in Morrow's arms and place a soft kiss on Mace's lips, willing him to wake up soon.
I know he will. There is no healing left for me to do. All he needs is a little rest.
Rising shakily to my feet, I look down at my clothing, soaked in the blood of my lover, and then lock eyes with the former God of Spring. My familiar, Shadow, wraps his giant body around her tightly, restraining her mortal vessel.
