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…

the end, it was I who ended the

mind of various outcomes that could’ve saved Neron’s life. His death was avoidable! But

To save me.

meant to be in my throat; but Neron took the blow. And like a shield that’s been

of rejoicing when

talk to me. They were giving me space, and I was thankful 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

arms. I couldn’t put him on the ground–that was where he took hist final breath. Every wall I put up came

and tried to reach out. But some beastly instinct took over me and I gripped at Neron possessively, holding his head and body to my chest like he was a newborn baby, baring my teeth in

won’t touch him, Kiki.” Anthony’s calm words calmed my beastly side and my arms slowly relaxed, loosening my grip on the corpse. “Neron didn’t die in vain. He protected

that.” My hoarse whisper carried the pain my heart couldn’t hold. “He wasn’t supposed to die. Not like this. Not before his

18 Come Back

Little Bit, but he made his choice. He jumped in front of Osiris willingly, even if it meant

hurt

He reprimanded. “You aren’t responsible for his death; don’t carry responsibilities that aren’t yours,

through the suppressed sounds of my sobs starting up

Kiya!” I burrowed my face in Neron’s hollow chest again, the heat of pure shame burning through me. “He wouldn’t have done what he did if he didn’t love you. I’ve watched this man consistently put you

I choked, constantly sniffling to hold back more tears. My eyes were burning

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?

I lost… I lost…

growing white. Fear died as quickly as it rose,

growing in volume the closer they

her place in front of me, on her knees. I relinquished my hold just a tad so that Neron could rest on her knees as well. His

“S–Selene…”

and ignoring the slits of blood that stained

widened as a hiccup jerked my body

mean?”

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

up straighter, facing the goddess with inklings of confidence that exposed themselves under the blanket

In minutes, both Neron and Onyx will arrive, leaving this vessel behind to return to the earth. I granted you clemency five years

“Me?”

realm, or proceed into

sister?”

get to see his family again. Nuria and Lun–Auntie Essie would get to see him again. Neron will get his family back, like he always

earth without a familial connection. My mind

the world. To make his mark on the

experience everything that

Garnet Moon, he had to bend

true happiness. He deserved to experience the joys of freedom without the

wanted him

I nodded. “I want him back.

live in a world without him in

eyes for doubt but found none. Nodding, she leaned back on her heels. “You know what

want to entrust me with this?” I asked my goddess, cocking my head

daughter- what is mine is yours.” She shined

I do this,

never know unless you try.” The red of

hand and brushing away the stray strands that clung to his temple from sweat. With a heavy

fingers through his heavy, chilly

Neron. I’m bringing you

a mosaic of healing magic. White strands of flesh and muscle began

going. I kept pouring my energy into Neron, refusing to stop until I hear a groan or felt the jerk of a limb. My muscle strength was leaving in droves and my ears

heart to beat

our bond was gradually returning, but not fast enough for my liking. Patience has never been my strong suit. I look