Echoes of the Abyss (Delaney Series #2)

Chapter 37: Underworld

Underworld

Leon's POV

My hand formed into a fist as I was watching Adelaide being surrounded by these women. Adelaide's body was covered in her own blood, even her hair.

"What is happening?" I asked myself when I saw the women backing off.

Like something was happening to the circle.

And I wasn't wrong when I saw the invisible force trying to trap the stone and Adelaide's body inside the circle.

"Eira?!" I called my sister whose eyes widened with what she's seeing.

"Leon! Her soul!" She shouted back.

I glanced at Adelaide's body and my heart started beating so fast when I saw her... she's fading.

Her body.

"What the fuck is happening?!" My voice stormed in the surroundings.

The clouds covered the moon, and darkness started to eat the whole place.

"Leon..." Eira called me, with fear evident in her voice. "She's losing so much blood..."

"Do something!" I yelled. "You!" I pointed to the oracles. "Do something!"

"Your Majesty, it is her choice," she sounded so certain.

"What the fuck are you saying?"

She flinched. "Your Majesty, she's going somewhere..."

"Leon, call her, enter the circle," Eira was serious now. "Call her, Leon, she needs to go back or else..."

"Or else what?!"

"She's dying..."

I didn't waste anymore time and jumped inside the circle. The stone where she was lying was lowered so I had to kneel.

I held her bloody hands, I wanted to shout, I wanted to blame everyone, but I couldn't.

"Adelaide... Do you hear me?" I kissed her hands, even with blood transferring into my lips. "You need to come back, I cannot... watch you d—"

I tried so hard to stop myself from tearing up. "Come back," I begged her.

"Leon."

I turned around, still holding Adelaide and saw Percival. The look on his face...

I didn't answer him and focused on Adelaide. I need to bring her back. She needs to come back to me.

Olaris was now in complete darkness, the only thing that could be seen was the scarlet red blood all over her body.

"Adelaide..." I called her again, kissing her hands a hundred times.

Why was it so easy for her not to choose me? Why would she choose to leave?

"Get up," I heard Percival's voice again. "I know where she is."

"Where is she?!"

Eira summoned a snowflake that gave light to us.

When Percival didn't answer, I then realized where Adelaide was.

"No!" I stood up and shouted at him. "Do not fucking tell me that she's in your fucking domain, Percival!"

"Leon!" Eira shouted at me. "Do not raise your voice at him! If you want to rescue Adelaide, listen to him... to us. I know you're hurting right now, and I understand that. Just do not disrespect him because you're disrespecting me too."

Eira turned her back on me. "Do not forget that I am your Empress, and he's your King."

"Eira, you have to understand that he's hurting, love," he tried to talk to Eira.