I looked down at the dull brown form that was Rushton’s body and saw the red and sickly green streaks in the spirit-form overlaying it. I thought of the golden link that bound us and as if the thought had summoned it, the link showed itself to my eyes, shining bright as sunlight on waves. I put my hand into it and felt the hot red ravenous heat of Rushton’s sickness shot through with a longing for me so great that even as I willed myself into him, he was drawing me to him.

Then I was standing on a silent sea-shore. It was dark and very quiet save for the soft whisper of the waves against my feet. There was no moon and the stars overhead were none I knew, but the sea itself was alive with phosphorescence.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Rushton.

‘My love,’ he said, and took me in his arms.

Oh, the joy and wonder of that embrace. I breathed deep, smelling his warm body, relishing the feel of his hard muscular arms wrapped so tightly around me. Never let me go, I thought, but I said, ‘You are ill.’

He only kissed me. His lips were on my brow, on my cheeks, on my neck, and finally, hungrily, on my mouth. At last, he said, ‘I will die content holding you, for though this be but a dream, it is a sweeter dream than life without you.’

I drew back from him and looked up into his face. ‘This is no dream, my love. I am real. We are linked whether we are together or apart. I am here because of that link. Only if you die will the link be severed. Live, for me, my love. Draw on that which binds us, and live. For if you live, I can endure, I can do what I must do no matter where it leads me. Because I will know you are in the world.’

‘Elspeth, you are fading,’ Rushton said urgently. His face grew grim and desperate. ‘I will not let you go again.’

‘Then hold to life, my ravek,’ I sent, even as I slipped from his grasp into the darkness. Then I was lost in the shadow sea, and once again I felt the inexorable hand pressing me down ever deeper, but I fought it for the sake of the quest I must complete and for the sake of all I loved.

And I rose.

Characters of the Obernewtyn Chronicles

Characters of the Obernewtyn Chronicles

Ahmedri: Sadorian, brother of Straaka

Alad: Beastspeaking guildmaster, highlander

Alden: highlander, coercer

Analivia: daughter of Radost, sister of Moss and Bergold

Angina: Empath guilden and enhancer, twin brother of Miky

Ariel: distorted Talent, abilities unknown

Ari-Noor, Ari-Roth: shipfish

Atthis: Agyllian or Guanette bird or oldOne, Elder of the eldar, survivor of the Great White

Avra: Gahltha’s mate, leader of Beastguild at Obernewtyn