Chapter 623: Mark
Mana erupted from my spell, entwining Luke and me in a flurry of gold and green ribbons. The power was soft and gentle, washing over my body with the gentleness of a kiss. A slight tingle overtook the searing pain as threads of life magic began weaving into the sunpurge, replacing it with pale, healthy skin.
I closed my eyes, taking a shuddering breath as the glowing scars faded from my skin. I’d only suffered minor burns from Lord Evlon’s magic, but that had been enough to trigger a relapse. If I had taken even a fraction of the full might of that spell...
My arms tightened around Luke. He was heavy, but...the weight was reassuring. His eyes had closed, and his chest rose in short, shallow gasps, but his sunpurge was also healing. The golden light penetrated his soul, repairing the damage caused by straining his powers to protect me.
Requiem was a many-layered spell, utilizing the full breadth of my and R’lissea’s healing abilities. It targeted the permanent damage of corruption and sunpurge, restoring body and soul to a state that allowed one’s natural recovery to take over.
As Luke’s breathing evened, my eyes closed, and I allowed my grip to loosen. I traced the scar on Luke’s cheek, wondering at the toughness and warmth of his skin. It would be so easy to heal it, to make the scar disappear, yet I didn’t.
My hand slid down his face and neck, brushing the ridged furrow of corruption on his chest. The scars were old and rough, raised nearly a quarter inch from his smooth, toned muscles. His heartbeat pulsed beneath my fingers, sending a thrill through my chest.
"Oh, Luke," I murmured, letting my hand rest over his heart. "Why did you come back? Why aren’t you fighting Connor with your army? The inquisitors said--"
He shifted in my arms, sinking lower until his head rested in my lap. I blushed, hand darting from his chest, but his eyes remained closed, his breathing steady. He was asleep.
A gentle cough caused me to jump, and I looked up, face burning. Fyren stood in his human form, arms crossed, infernal mana still writhing around his soul.
"Thank you for coming back," I said, bowing my head to him as much to hide my blush as in gratitude.
"I will always return for you, little oracle. I’m only sorry it took me this long."