The Lock was nearly finished, the two
overlapping circles of the Eye almost
complete.
Her magic writhed, begging her to stop.
But she could not. Would not.
“Soon now,” the king promised.
She found the man smiling.
“I was given a message for you,” he said
softly. His edges blurred, as the last of his
power drained away. But he still smiled. Still
looked at peace. “Your parents are ... They
are so very proud of you. They asked me to
tell you that they love you so very much.” He
was nearly invisible now, his words little
more than a whisper of wind. “And that the
debt has been paid enough, Fireheart.”
Then he was gone. The last of him flowed
into the Lock. Wiped from existence.
She barely felt the tears on her face as she
fell to her knees. As she gave and gave her
lily
(lily)
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