Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 88 – Come Back To Me

“There is an ocean of silence between us… and I am drowning in it.“–Ranata Suzuki

Kiya

I was free.

My gilded cage had rusted, and the chains of darkness crumbled to dust.

Osiris was gone.

I should be celebrating. I should be running into the arms of my parents, sobbing tears of joy, relishing in my newfound freedom.

Instead, screams of absolute sorrow tore through my throat and shattered the sunlit atmosphere. My world had darkened. Artemis‘ broken howls touched the stratosphere to where I was certain the angels of heaven could hear her.

My legs moved on their own accord, splitting earth with each stomp toward the body that should thrive with life. The body that should rejoice in my liberation with incandescent sapphires and ivory smiles. The body I cradled in my trembling arms once my naked knees dropped to the dirtied earth.

“N–Neron?” My voice came out as a pitiful whimper. Footsteps echoed around me, but I didn’t bother to look up. I glued my eyes to the Alpha’s lifeless face, drenched in sweat. The wound on his neck exposed flesh and muscle, nausea resting like a stone in my stomach. “Neron… wake up, please…”

I didn’t want this to happen.

I shook him lightly, hoping to get some inkling of life, but got nothing. His body weighed heavily with death, void of the weightless life that kept his soul afloat. I kept calling out his name, hoping that this was just the devil’s trick on my mind….

But he wouldn’t answer me.

“Mija…” Mom placed her loving hand on my shoulder. “Neron is…”

“Don’t say it.” I sniffled, tears threatening to spill over my eyes. “Please, don’t say it…”

“But Kiya… it’s true.” Abigail added, trying to soothe the wound in my chest with her gentle voice. “He’s gone.”

“No! He wasn’t supposed to do this! He wasn’t…” The blood on his arms swirled like galaxies around the droplets of my falling tears. On my skin, they burned like acid, searing through my flesh and bone. Neron kept his promise; he didn’t allow Osiris to hurt me anymore.

But at the cost of his life?

He should’ve… he could’ve…

The realization hit me like two freight trains colliding, especially when Diana fluttered on Neron’s chest, releasing a broken hoot with her golds reflecting deep sadness.

Chapter 88–Come Back To Me

I… I killed him.

A strong tremor split my body in two. Pain bubbled in my chest and gushed out of my mouth like a hot geyser as sobbing and screaming. My throat tightened like a leash, but it did nothing to stop my painful screams as I clutched Neron’s body closer to mine and buried my face in his chest, hiding my tears from the world. Apology after apology tumbled out of my mouth with reckless abandon, muffled through his cooling flesh.

I’m sorry for hurting you!

I’m sorry for giving you scars!

I’m sorry that you, time and time again, throw yourself in danger for me.

I’m sorry that I couldn’t give the way you do.

I’m sorry for taking and taking like a selfish woman..

I’m sorry, Neron! I’m sorry, Onyx! I’m so… so fucking sorry…

in the end, it was I who ended the Prince

Neron’s life. His death

To save me.

meant to be in my throat; but Neron took the blow. And like a shield that’s been through hell and back, they fall apart. Neron’s final declaration opened the pathway to victory, and he wasn’t here

the point of rejoicing when

for that. After a while, my sobs quieted down, but there was the occasional hiccup. Artemis‘ sorrow hurt the deepest. Because I knew she missed Onyx. Neron wouldn’t have done what he did if Onyx

was where he took hist final breath. Every

of me, his hands folded on his knees. My eyes, red and blotchy, met my brother’s hazels, contemplative and worried. He expelled a massive sigh and tried to reach

beastly side and my arms slowly relaxed, loosening my

supposed to do that.” My hoarse whisper carried the pain my heart couldn’t hold.

Come Back

his choice. He jumped in front

him to hurt himself…I hurt him

for his death;

not fair! It should be me that’s dead, not Neron!” Moans escaped my mouth through the suppressed sounds of my sobs starting up again. “I’m not worthy of his sacrifice, Tony! He had so much to look forward

this man consistently put you above himself through the amount of shit thrown at him, from us and his dad. I don’t know what was going through his head, but he spoke with actions. It’s a

hold back more tears. My eyes

space rising. Everyone kneeled to either comfort me or mourn the loss of Neron. It only made my chest heave harder and strengthen my sobs. How was any of this far? What about the people who cared about and loved Neron? Adonis lost an uncle, Valerian and Kwame lost their brother, my pack lost an

I lost… I lost…

a wall of growing white. Fear died as quickly as it rose, my senses lulling me to peace, recognizing the world I was in. My arms

in volume the closer

light in front of me haloed around the goddess I know and love as she took her place in front of me, on her knees. I relinquished my hold just a

“S–Selene…”

buried itself in the Alpha’s black locks, smoothening them out and ignoring the slits of blood

widened as a hiccup jerked my body forward.

mean?”

red cord connecting my heart to Neron’s materialized between us. Selene cradled a loop in her palms. The red was flickering and fading to pale pink, becoming translucent to where I could see the ridges of the goddess‘ palms. “You always had a choice, dear Kiya. Whether it be accepting Neron as your mate or accepting your goddesshood, the choice had always been in

goddess with inklings of confidence that

Moon Goddess. In minutes, both Neron and Onyx will arrive, leaving this vessel behind

“Me?”

want Neron to return to the mortal realm, or proceed into the heavens to be with

sister?”

my choices. If I choose the latter, he’ll get to see his family again. Nuria and Lun–Auntie Essie would get to see

connection. My mind thought back to our date at the mall, where he shared with

make his mark on the planet that didn’t involve him leading a pack

everything

it up in Garnet Moon, he

the joys of freedom without

wanted him to be

eyes found Selene’s silver diamonds, and I nodded. “I want him back. I don’t want

live in

leaned back on her heels. “You know what to do

me with this?” I asked my

of me lies within you. You are my avatar, but you’re also my daughter- what is mine is yours.” She shined a glittering ivory

do this, I might not

know unless you try.” The red of the bond is now translucent,

was deafening. I look back at Neron’s face once more, reaching out a hand and brushing away the stray

fingers through his heavy, chilly

Neron. I’m bringing you

sinking into Neron’s pale flesh, mapping out every muscle fiber, artery, and vein within him. Rivers of white shimmered and mixed into a mosaic of healing magic. White strands of flesh and muscle began repairing, connecting like wires, and reinforcing themselves with his cells. Wounds littered Neron’s body. Too many to count, but

a groan or felt the jerk of a limb. My muscle strength was leaving in

needed his heart to

of our bond was gradually returning, but not fast enough for my liking. Patience has never been my strong suit. I look back at Selene, an idea popping into my head, and she nodded, knowing what I was about