World of Dreamers (TOG/ACOTAR crossover)

Chapter 2

Author's Note:

Okay, before I start the next chapter, let me address a few mistakes I made. I realized, when I reread EoS that Elide is supposed to be with Rowan, Gavril and Lorcan. So, from now on, she is with them in their part of the story. I apologize for screwing that up, it totally slipped my mind! One other mistake that I saw as I was going back and reading the previous chapter is, it says that Aelin has been missing for three months. It should say three weeks. Sorry for all the mistakes! I did go back and fix them in the last chapter I just wanted to let you guys know. Also, I have been on a vacation in Utah the past couple of weeks so that is why I have not been updating. No worries though because we are done traveling this summer. I will try to update at least once a week, maybe more. I am so excited for this story, and I am excited for Tower of Dawn to come out this fall!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy!

~FireHeart_Aelin~

She was back on the boat where Deanna had taken over her. Where she had unwittingly unleashed the power of the Wyrdkey. Moonfire flickered in her hands, hotter than any wildfire. It looked eerily beautiful, like the stars and moon given shape. Aelin couldn't control it. She couldn't control the burning galaxy in her hands. Deanna spoke through her, ripping words out of Aelin's mouth. The voice wasn't hers.

"Every key has a lock. Tell the Queen Who Was Promised to retrieve it soon, for all the allies in the world make no difference if she does not wield the Lock, if she does not put the keys back with it. Tell her flame and iron, together bound, merge into silver to learn what must be found. A mere step is all it should take." The words burned Aelin's throat as they were torn from her. She watched in horror as the moonfire in her hand moved, aimed at the undefended city in the heart of the bay.

Someone moved into her vision, stepping in front of her. Green eyes stared at her, pleading with her, begging her to stop.

Aelin's heart leapt to her throat. She focused on the moonfire, trying to move it. To aim it anywhere but Rowan. She couldn't hurt him, she couldn't-

She screamed as the moonfire left her hand, aimed directly at his heart.

She hadn't been strong enough to throw the control of the goddess off. Aelin felt the presence of Deanna leave, her body her own again. She was herself again.

She ran to his side, praying. She didn't even register the words that came out of her mouth, only begging whatever gods would listen to save him. To save Rowan. The moonfire had burned him, worse than she had ever burned him before. His blood coated the deck. The smell of it, his blood, filled her nostrils, burning. People were walking towards them, whispering.

What had she done?

Aelin lifted his head, looking into his eyes. His lifeless, dull green eyes. Hot tears filled her eyes, flowing down her face. She buried her head in his bloodied neck, saying his name over and over. "Rowan." She apologized to his lifeless body. It wasn't her fault, she told him, she had tired to stop the fire but Deanna was a goddess, stronger than she was. Even as she said the words, she felt her soul crack apart. She had failed him. The only reason he had stepped in front of her was because she had forgotten to take the damn Wyrdkey off her neck. He knew that if she unleashed that fire upon the city that she would never come back from it. From killing all of those innocents, from the allies they would lose. So he took the chance, and died.