Another surge of cold-fire rose and iced Arabel’s fingers and toes. She shook, her lips pinched tight together as she stood once again and faced her mate. “It is as Isla says. When emotions of grief or loss flare too strongly within me then I’m susceptible to certain dangers. Only me. You need no’ fear for your own life or those around you when my cold-fire rears.” At least her cold-fire couldn’t seep from her as the blazing heat of her hot fire could.” She nodded at Isla. “Do you hold any information on the last fire-wielder?”
“It’s said she passed away during the battle at the village on June the eleventh.” Tears filled Isla’s eyes and she leaned against Iain’s side. “At least that piece of history we can change.”
“We’ll be changing a hell of a lot more than that.” Finlay let out a fierce growl and clenched his fists. His pain and desperation to change what he couldn’t tore at her heart. This destructive path he’d embarked on had to change, and she’d ensure it, whether he wished it or not.
“Isla.” She glanced at the woman. “As one of my fae kind, you must uphold the sacred laws of our people, and as such, there is something I must ask of you, that I require of your skill.”
“Anything.”
“I cannae see a resolution to our problem. Finlay and I might be mated, but ’tis a dangerous bond to allow to take. You must compel him to forget me, his brothers too since they appear to stand as one, and if you choose no’ to, then I willnae tend to this cold-fire which still consumes me. I certainly willnae be the one to kill my mate, which would happen in only a matter of time since he is so insistent on joining and completing the bond. Killing him isnae an option.” She’d been a fool to believe she could be different from the six fire-wielders before her, that it might be possible to have it all, or to at least try and see what would happen.
“Damn it, Arabel.” Thumping his chest, Finlay glared at her. He was close, too close, but at least he wasn’t touching her. “You are not dying on the eleventh during the battle, or here this very day. Nor are you having me compelled to forget you. You are my mate, and I’ll never let you go.”
“We’ll make sure you don’t lose her, Finlay.” Kirk grasped Finlay’s arm. “We’ll keep her safe, all of us, and you too.”
“Finlay.” She desperately wished to touch him, but since this might be her only chance to ensure his safety, she had to take it. “I cannae burn you, and I have come far too close to doing so already. History has decreed our future and ’tis unchangeable. You need to accept what will be and live as your destiny has proclaimed. You are here to save my fae people in the battle, not me, the last of the fire-wielders. You cannae allow your future shifter clan to fall into extinction. That is where there is hope, not here between us.”
“I have no intention of living without you.” A fierce rumble left his chest.
Isla sobbed and tears flowed down her cheeks. “Arabel, the last thing I want to do is to take Finlay’s chosen one from him. It goes against all that I believe in. The bond is so precious.”
“So is his life, which will be very short should he remain with me. Although I must apologize. I’ve asked you to do something which is unfair. I see that now. The choice to end what is between us will be mine, and mine alone.” She would gladly give up her life so he could have his.
Another wave of cold-fire swept through her. The searing cold iced her blood and numb, she shook and fell to her knees. Her heartbeat faltered, lost a beat and made her gasp for breath.
“Arabel, no!” Finlay dropped down beside her, a mere breath away, his anguish tearing through him and her in turn. “Look at me, my sweet. Don’t leave me,” he pleaded. “If you die, then I die.”
“Nessa cannae save the villagers on her own. She needs the ‘power of three.’” She lifted one trembling hand to cup his cheek and he jerked back, raw pain slicing across his face as he was forced to do so. “Mated ones dinnae kill each other. You cannae ask me to take your life, because that is surely what will happen.”
“You have to believe in us and hold the hope all will be well. There’s nothing we can’t do if we tackle our issues together.”
“You believe in the impossible.” And she couldn’t, not when his very life hung in the balance. Another wave of loss struck her and her cold-fire continued to consume her. She slumped onto the ground, her pulse so weak and her breathing so labored.
He rose to his feet and shot a look at Isla. “I can’t watch her die, and if she lives, at least I’ll still have some hope that an answer can be found. Compel us as she’s asked.”
“Are you sure?”
“There is no other choice. Just make sure my woman warms herself, and don’t let her out of your sight until she has. Keep her safe on the eleventh. No one harms her.”
“I’ll make sure of it.” Isla grasped his shoulder and glanced between the three men. “Are you all sure?”
“Aye,” Iain said as he moved to stand by Finlay’s side. “If Arabel believes that taking her own life is acceptable, then we’ll need more time to change her mind, which will be up to you since we’ll have no clue what’s going on. Compel us.”