The Billionaire's Enchanted Bride

A Fragile Balance

Restored crystal pulsed softly in the center of the area, lengthy shadows on the broken walls created by its warm, golden light. Ethan felt the weight of the orb in his fingers diminishing somewhat, as though its use would only momentarily suffice. His face froze as he turned to see Seraphina fix on the gem.

Voice hoarse, he asked, "Is it over?"

Seraphina did not answer straight away. She whispered to the stone while her fingertips glided across its exquisite surface. She grinned weakly, but it was tinged with gloom. She said at last, "The heart is healing." Still, the damage done to the time website dedicated to.

Kael looked at her skewed against a silver-blue wall. "Time you might not have, Your Majesty," he said sardonically. "Your heart has rebuilt itself; the curse hangs there. Still rather weak, it hooks to you.

Ethan wrinkled his face and then turned to meet him. "whatIs it?"

Laughing, Kels said, "It means, our queen is still a ticking time bomb." Her life essence travels in time with the curse. She has been the anchor keeping constant as long as it has existed.

Although her shoulders tightened, she did not discount his remarks. She said, "He's right," her voice wavers yet steady. The curse never bothered the domain by itself. It wanted to ruin me as well as everyone else connected to me.

Ethan felt spark of wrath in his chest. The answer would hence be what? There must be a means to completely destroy it.

Kelt looked at him with questions. Someone who rarely participated in this calamity is quite dedicated.

Turning to look at him, Ethan "I get engaged since I object to let individuals fight by themselves. If one finds such a solution, we will do as well.

She turned toward him and her emerald eyes softened. She said, "Thank you," her voice scarcely above a whisper.

Let Karel's eye stray back. "Fragrant": We should not discount, though, that completely breaking the curse will not be easy. Whoever created it related it to old magic; old magic always has a price.

"what kind of price?" Ethan whispered gently.

Elaine started to smile brightly with K standing for That is certain. Most likely the cost is— "

The chamber shook with a great, unexpected rumble. The crystal's golden radiance erupted, and over its surface a small fracture was obviously evident.

Whirling toward it, Seraphina's expression went shocked. She responded, "No," in a quiet voice.

Ethan proceeded even while his heart hammered. "What are you wanting to ask?"

With tight voice, Seraphina said, "The curse is fighting back". " It's trying to grab back on the heart."

Kels grumble under breath, his approach missing usual clarity. definitely. Magic this great never fades quietly.

In his hand Ethan felt the softly throbbing ball charge. Gritted his teeth; his breast felt gentle knowledge. "What do our choices now create?"

Stumbling, Seraphina looked at the gem. We sink the heart right here. If we enable the curse to haunt once more, all we have done is useless.

Kael advanced, his dark force flying about his fists. Then let us start to shove it.

Rising a hand to halt him, Archangel objected. Not very strong is the heart. Should we overrun it, we could entirely ruin it.

Keal wrinkled and fiercely closed his mouth. With what method, then, Your Majesty?

Closing her eyes, Seraphina found the jewel while her breath halted. Golden light bordering her hands matched crystal surface. Strong yet quiet, her voice went on, "I'll stabilize it."

Ethan let his chest fall. "What would this imply?"

Seraphina answered not in a plain-forward manner. She stared at him softly and aggressively at once. "The heart needs someone to aid it to balance its energies throughout healing. I am suitably qualified for performing it.

Ethan leaned back in his abdomen. And which then emerges through you?

She stopped; her eye flicked away. "It will come for me first should the cursed exact retribution..." The heart will keep beating nevertheless.

Ethan's response was "no," sharply skewed ahead of "still another way has to be there."

"There isn't," Seraphina said in a low whisper. Ethan, this falls under your purview. For millennia, running away; at last I had to face it.

Kael folded his arms and wore a blank face. Your Majesty, Noble, as usual. He is correct; nonetheless, another route is open.

Whispers Seraphina. "Who most especially are you referring to?"

Kale leads Ethan across. "He still gets the sphere returning to him."It speaks to his vigor. If he guides its strength, he may be able to stabilize the heart without your having to be the sacrifice.

Ethan blinked, the weighty words of Kael reaching far into his brain. You suggest I might replace her?

Kel shook their heads. Put simply. The orb hooks to you already; the only thing is to maximize it.

"No," Seraphina shot back, her face hardening. "It is far too dangerous." Should the curse exact retribution while you are lost in the orb, you could be destroyed.

Ethan fixed her, his voice constant. Should I fail, that would also harm you. I will let that to happen.

Ethan whirled close to the crystal, "I have decided." He waved at Kela. " What am me meant to do?"

Kael gave a little smile, but his eyes looked to have unusual weight. "Be Aware of the Orb". Let that energy find the heart. Still, keep under control; allowing overflow will cause burn-out.

Ethan said, "Helpful."

Seraphina grabbed his arm really forcefully. "You don't have to do this," she said, hardly audible.

Ethan responded with really strong voice. I here come not to let you face this alone.

He raised the sphere beside the crystal before she could argue any more. Its golden brilliance covered the surface of the heart.

Ethan watched the chamber shudder violently while the orb surged like a tidal wave. It was incapacitating, a shattered mix of sorrow and hope that might have divided him. He sharpened his fangs then turned his attention to the warmth, the connection, the goal.

"You have this," Seraphina said, her voice vibrantly felt yet still firm.

Ethan pushed more deliberately, entirely focused on his crystal. The golden light turned the impending gloom aside. As the split healed, the surface of the crystal shimmered more intensely.

The curse shouted, a last, short sprint of shadow outward. Ethan tensed himself as the sphere kept the same while the blackness burnt away under the light.

Still with a last, blind flash in the chamber.

Once more, the crystal was whole when the darkness descended; its golden brightness persisted joyfully and constantly. Now the weight of peace was horrible, not the curse.

Ethan faltered, his legs about to buckle, but Seraphina gripped him hard.

You did it, she said, startled.

Kels kept ahead, his smile waking. Not really terrible for a mortal.

His chest heaving, Ethan started to smile faintly. Still quite appreciative. I look for solutions to problems.

Looking at the fixed crystal, hope flew inside his breast. The planet was healing, and for the first time he felt they might truly prosper.

Deeply down, though, he knew their struggle remained unresolved.