The Prince's Gift

Chapter 83.

Zane's POV

Suddenly, I felt two soft hands wrapping around my face, tugging at my arms to pull my hands away from my head. Gentle at first, but then more forcefully once it was clear I wouldn't budge. I snarled viciously as my eyes blinked back the faces before me until finally they focused on one singular face hovering just above me. Two jeweled orbs were staring down at me, wide with concern as her hands wrapped around the sides of my head and across my forehead soothingly.

"Ana." I whispered. "You can't be..." I started but another strike landed on my brain and my body whipped violently against the pain.

"Zane. Focus on me. Focus on my voice. Come back to me baby. Make yourself see me." I heard her voice say softly.

I tried to listen, but I couldn't seem to move the thought into action.

"Zane. Look at me now!" She commanded, firmer this time. My eyes snapped open and met hers and I realized she was using her powers to help me, just like she'd said she couldn't.

"Ana no. The baby..." I said weakly, but she shook off my resistance easily.

Her delicate hands held firm around my head as she focused. The familiar golden tendrils began to radiate around my face and head, slowly moving through my entire body and I could already feel the relief as it wrapped over me.

"I can't repair the work Delphine is doing to remove the bond, but I can help relieve some of the pain everywhere else and keep you present. Stay focused on me Zane. Don't let your sight drop from my eyes. Do you hear me?" She said.

I nodded once tightly as she hovered her hands around my head and body, keeping her eyes locked on mine as she moved. Delphine and the group chanted louder behind her and my body began to tense again. She shook her head in concentration and knelt closer as she let out a strained huff, forcing her powers out stronger as I grimaced in pain. I could feel it working. The strain on the bond was still throbbing in my mind, but it was slowly becoming more of a steady ache than a mind wracking pain. It was low enough to endure.

I could see Ana's face straining, but she never wavered. She held her powers on full blast over me, keeping me steady as the ceremony came to a conclusion at last. It was finally over.

I'd survived...because of her.

The Talentati moved back as Delphine crouched down beside Ana to inspect me.

"It's done. I've severed the bond completely. How do you feel Zane?" Delphine asked, helping me to a seated position as she watched my reactions.

I pulled a hand down my face to try and bring myself to a more alert state, but I still felt as if a fog was settled around my mind. "I'll be ok I think. I just need rest." My voice was shaky but louder than before. Stronger.

After a moment, I made an attempt to get to my feet and swayed slightly. Thaddeus reached his long arm around me and held me firm as we turned back to face Delphine and Ana. "You did well Zane. It's all over now." He said, a hint of pride resonating in his voice as he looked between  Ana and myself.

"It's only because of Ana. She's the reason I'm still standing here." I said as I looked up at Ana, a smile curling the edges of my lips.

She gave me a weak smile as she brushed her hair away from her face. For just a moment, a peace settled around the room. But that's all it was.

A moment.

Ana blinked up at me with a sudden blank expression and then staggered back, her hand dropping down to her stomach as she lost her footing.