Chapter 5: Storm's Embrace
Aria's POV
Roman's words hung in the air, cold and heavy. Once warm, Darius's eyes were now burning with a mixture of rage and an unidentified emotion. With a pale face and a firm grip on my arm, my mother stood next to me.
"Come with me, Aria," Roman stated in a firm but seductive voice.
I gripped the silver knife tighter and shook my head. "No."
The chamber was torn apart by a roar. Darius took a step closer, staring at Roman. "You don't own her."
Roman let out a piercing, icy chuckle. "She has a mark. mine.
With a low, menacing voice, Darius said, "The mark means nothing." "She has made her own decisions."
Tension crackled in the air. My mother's grasp tightened on my arm. Outside, a storm was raging, with the wind roaring like a ravenous wolf.
With a frantic tone, my mother murmured, "We cannot fight here." "The storm is too powerful."
She was correct. With every blast of wind, the little home trembled. Outside, the trees swung violently.
His eyes darted to the window as he continued, "We need shelter."
Roman scoffed. "A shelter? Alongside you? Never.
My mother said firmly, "It's not a choice." "If we remain here, the storm will kill us all."
Roman nodded, but his eyes furrowed. "All right. But she remains with me."
Darius's mouth clenched. "No. She remains with me.
"Enough!" my mother said sharply. "All of us will remain united. in the ancient cave. It's powerful. It'll hold.
The cave, a sizable hole in the rock face concealed behind a waterfall, was a location I was familiar with from my early years. It was secure and dry and deep.
The wind whipped at our clothing as we exited the home. The rain was heavy and chilly, falling in sheets. Like irate giants, the trees trembled.
We all walked along, Darius hawkishly observing Roman as he kept near.
The water curtain concealed the cave. As we moved into the darkness, we could no longer hear the waterfall's thunderous roar.
My mother lit a little fire, and as the flames flickered, the cave walls took on shadows.
The only sounds we could hear as we sat were the crackling of the fire and the roar of the wind. Roman sat apart, staring at me. Sitting close, Darius's body was stiff.
Unspoken words hung in the air. The mark, the connection, the decision. Everything was a jumbled mess.
The rain and wind continued to batter the cave opening as the storm continued to roar. Shadows danced as the fire crackled.
Hours went by. Long shadows were formed by the fire's low burning. The cave was chilly, wet.
Darius moved, staring at me.
His voice was quiet as he continued, "You're cold."
His warmth warmed me as he stepped closer. He put his arm over my shoulders and drew me in.
Roman regarded us, his eyes stern. However, he remained silent.
The cold was chased away by the warmth of Darius's body as it permeated me. I leaned against him and closed my eyes.
The storm continued to roar. The flames wavered. There was a long pause.
Then the air was ripped with a sudden, sharp cry. A scream of agony.
Our eyes sprang open as we all strained.
My mother stood with a hand at her side and a pallid face. She felt blood dripping between her fingertips.
"Mom!" My voice was laced with terror as I sobbed.
In a moment, Darius stood beside her, his eyes black. "What took place?"
With a feeble voice, she said, "I... I don't know." "A sharp pain."
Roman narrowed his eyes and stood. "What is it?"
"It's the deal," my mother said in a shaky whisper. "The Goddess is paying a price for it."
My throat tightened each breath. The cost. Her life.
"No," I said in a tremulous murmur. "Please don't."
Pain was seen in Darius's eyes. His eyes searched mine as he stared at me.
His voice was frantic as he said, "We must stop it." "We have to break the deal."
"How?" My voice was hardly heard as I asked.
He stared at the silver knife in my palm and murmured, "The Moon Severance." "Any bond or curse can be broken by it."
With terrified eyes, I said, "But... the price."
"We'll find another way," he said firmly. "We must."
His eyes were determined as he looked at my mother. "We need time. The storm… it's our only chance."
His eyes were stern as he turned to face Roman. "You remain here. Protect the doorway. Keep everything out.
Roman nodded, but his eyes furrowed. "All right. However, if she passes away...
"She won't," Darius said in a menacing tone.
His eyes were kind as he turned back to me. "Come on. We must locate a secure location further within the cave.
He guided me further into the cavern, away from Roman and the flames. My skin's small glow was the sole source of light as the darkness engulfed us.
We came to a halt behind a rock formation in a tiny alcove.
My mother's eyes were closed as Darius gently placed her down.
His voice was low as he said, "We must keep her warm." "And we have to figure out how to back out of the agreement."
His eyes searched mine as he stared at me. Aria, the knife. We must make an effort.
I grasped the knife and nodded, my fingers trembling. In the shadows, the silver sword glinted.
His fingers were warm against mine as he grasped my hand. He murmured softly, "We'll do it together."
With the knife hanging over my mother's chest, he led my hand. He said strong, old words in a whisper. Magic crackled in the air.
Silver light pulsated from the knife. My mother's complexion glowed and her body shimmered.
And then I felt a searing agony. A clear and vivid memory flashed through my mind.
The face of Darius. His eyes were soft and loving. His gentle but powerful touch.
My chest ached hollowly as the memory faded. The knife's brightness faded and eventually went out.
Even my mother's radiance dimmed. She breathed weakly and shallowly.
Pain was seen in Darius's eyes. "It didn't work," he said in a broken whisper.
With tears running down my cheeks, I shook my head. "The incorrect memory was used."
His arms were tight around me as he drew me in. His voice was rough as he whispered, "We'll find another way." "We must."
His eyes were dark as he looked at me. But we must move quickly. The storm… it's getting worse."
He gave me a gentle, fervent kiss. Then, with his eyes riveted on me, he withdrew.
His voice was frantic as he repeated, "Stay here." "I'll locate something." Anything.
I was left alone with my dying mother when he turned and vanished into the night.
Tears streamed down her pale face as I grasped her hand. "Please," I said in a weak whisper. "Don't leave me, please."
The storm raged on, the wind howling like a death cry. The darkness closed in, chilly and thick.
Then, a sudden, loud smash resonated through the cave. The earth trembled.
And suddenly, Roman's voice, full of horror. "What is that?"