---- Iwas about to unleash my power, ready to break this spell, this rock whatever it took, I had to get to Sigrid! But then, words suddenly glowed before my eyes.


    ?Ss, dont be afraid, please.


    I need to do something tonight.


    Wait for me and heal with my magic.


    If you disobey me this time, there won''t be a reward for a long time.


    Im warning you.? Istretched out my fingers, my heart settling back in my chest, and touched the words as they faded into the air.


    It was her magic.


    It wasnt a trick.


    I imagined her threatening me, and a crooked smirk curled the corner of my lipsbut it quickly faded into a hard, worried expression.


    Dm sorry, Sigrid.


    I can never obey you if you leave me behind.


    As long as you take me with you, I will do whatever you ask." And yet...


    lunderstood.


    Iwas only a burden to her.


    Yesterday, I had almost died.


    I was so weak despite this ck magic that had been eating away at my soul for years.


    I lowered my gaze to my battered body.


    She had healed me by making love to menot just my wounds, but a part of my mind, too.


    Memories started resurfacing memories from that mansion, of the atrocities Lucreciamitted against elementals.


    ---- That dark magic she forced into our bodies, controlling us, only to strengthen herself when we fucked her.


    Those memories disgusted me But it was important information for mydy.


    I had to tell her.


    Tran my hands over my deformed face and let out a bitterugh.


    No matter how much magic we exchanged, I doubted that what had been ruined could ever be restored.


    "How do I escape?" I wondered, but thensomething deep and urgent made me turn around.


    My curse, still desperately seeking a way out, had found another passage.


    T could escape.


    Thurried back into the small cave and dressed quickly in what little clothing remained.


    I grabbed mydys cloak, still drenched in her scent, in minein sex, sweat, and lust.


    I took a deep breath before wrapping it around myself.


    It was like carrying her with me.


    Before leaving the cave, I turned to look inside, brushing my fingers over the cold stone wall.


    Here...


    here, I made love for the first time...


    with my person.


    ---- One day, I''ll do it with her real body.


    I nodded, letting myself believe in my own delusions, and followed the dark tunnels, piercing deep into these mountains, down winding passages that resembled wolves maws.


    I followed the instinct of this cursed energy, which I had long since epted as my own.


    But I never imagined where it would take me.


    The ce where I had nearly died once.


    The ce where I met the light of my life.


    And now, it would be the ce where I was given a suicidal, dangerous chance...


    A chance to be a man worthy of standing by her side.