One moment, I was walking through the garden. Next, I was breathless and collapsing to the ground.
A pain flared in my chest so completely it stole the breath from my lungs.
My vision blurred, and I bent inward.
When the pain subsided,
I could feel it,
I could feel my bond to her.
My Kathera.
Peace washed over me. I could feel her.
I’m sorry. Just give me one moment, and you can have your body back, her voice, unmistakably her voice reaching through the bond. Not intentionally, but undoubtedly.
I tried to reach her through the bond to send her a thought. After a century, what do I tell her? I love you, it left my mind as if it were the only possible thing to tell her.
I waited, wishing to hear her voice one more time through the bond.
I'm coming home soon. I love you.
These are the words I had waited to taste for a century.
I sat in silence, holding my chest as if I had to hold the bond in place.
I could still feel her.
My Empress.
My Soulfated.
I held onto that feeling as I stood, knowing what I needed to do next.
My Empress was coming home, and My Empire was awakening.
We would be ready.
I moved quickly through the palace until I reached the council room.
Walking in the air felt different, like a weight had been lifted.
“Sire, are you well?” asked Sil. His voice was far away in my mind.
I drew in a steadying breath.
I walked to the dais and up to the throne.
My heart suddenly felt lighter than it has in years, and I could finally take in the air my lungs so desperately need.
I turned and faced the councilman. “Our Empress has returned. The quest is working; there is more to do. Prepare our Empire.”