“Farewell, daughter.”

“Elden! No!” Rayne railed. “Don’t take Nox from me! Please!”

She screamed and begged, banging her fists against the walls of her mind in impotent fury.

Rayne’s body returned to her control in time to watch Elden’s eyes burn Nox’s out in their flaming Atramentous. Glittering tears marked incandescent trails down his face as the agonizing sacrifice tightening his features loosened into remorseful obligation. Her systems returned too slowly to stop Elden from diving into the howling abyss on the other side of the conduit.

Rayne went to leap in after them, but Silence swept her up into an unbelievably powerful embrace. No amount of struggle could free Rayne from the Mother’s grip. Her bones broke, and yet she didn’t give up.

Save Nox.

Tell him at all costs.

Do not let him die this way.

“Rayne, stop!” Xelan’s voice broke through her frenzy before he came into view.

Rayne did as she was told and stared into Xelan’s eyes as he searched her face.

“He’s gone, Rayne.” As Xelan said the words, Celindria closed the conduit. She got what she came for.

No.

Rayne shook her head, refusing to believe him. The desperation in her voice came straight from her heart as she said, “No. We can’t be sure Elden will win against Celindria. We have to go help. Xelan, we have to save Nox.”

The words strung from the very core of Rayne on replay until Xelan took her face in his hands and forced her to focus on his eyes. Certainty, pure and decisive, marked the lines of his face as he said, “Elden will not fail us, and we will honor Nox’s sacrifice once the Matrix is finished.”

Rayne was aware of others joining them at her back. She cried, “Korac! Sagan! Please, tell him.”

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The General took two steps forward until he was in Rayne’s line of sight. Korac said, “She’s right. We can’t be sure unless we see it unfold.”

Sagan’s agreement relieved some of Rayne’s torment. “I’ve never been to the Oblivion Cathedral, but I got a good look. I can take us there.”

A smaller voice said, “Daddy, we can help Uncle Nox.”

Pax.

“I don’t know, Rayne. Nox gave up his volition to Elden to protect you.” No, Andrew, please. Not him, too.

“While I think Nox did it to avoid prison, I agree with Xelan.” Of course, Kyle would. “Silence, what do you think?”

The woman who held Rayne loosened her arms enough to face her. Steel eyes sought a truth Rayne was afraid to bear. With gentle tugs and finger combing, Silence made order out of the chaos of Rayne’s hair while tears brimmed her eyes.

Nox’s foremother turned around to Lucas and Smith. The Aegis nodded before he and the sadly smiling man met Rayne’s eyes.

It was Rayne’s decision.

She closed her eyes and delved deep for what might convince Xelan. For what mattered most to her.

Nox’s hesitant smile. His deep chuckle. The way his eyes sparkled with love. The first time he purred, and how they both laughed in delight. Holding her through the night—Always calling her on her bullshit—And how he never asked for anything in return.

Think of Nox’s love.

Think of when Rayne first loved him.

“Dying hurts, your majesty.”

“I’m getting that.”

“It doesn’t have to.”

“What are you saying?”

“Take my hand and transfer your nerve responses to my nacre. You’ve done enough.”

“Nox…”

“No more being strong for everyone. No more martyrdom. If this is truly my final act in these worlds, let me spare you. Please. Take my hand.”

Rayne opened her eyes and confessed, “I love Nox, and I never got to tell him.”

Xelan was taken aback. He stared at Rayne first in disbelief. Then anguish and grief tightened the lines around his eyes. Her guardian’s jaw, cut so similarly to Nox’s, clenched while Xelan turned his face skyward. He prayed to the deity, who at this very moment was burning his brother inside-out before ordering, “Sagan, open the conduit. We’re going in. I want three units left behind to guard the fallen. Pax, stay with your mother and protect her. Korac, you’re with me.”

Rayne twisted in Silence’s arms to find Tameka unconscious on the stage, guarded by Iuo, Twenty-One, and Bones.

Silence released Rayne, saying, “Smith, Lucas, and I will join you.”

From behind them, Tumu said, “Me, as well.”

The aggravated groan behind Rayne came from Kyle. “Andrew and I will go, too.”

Xelan raised his voice to order, “The rest stay behind. Pablo, don’t let Fury wake until we finish with Celindria. If Sagan’s conduit closes, assume the worst and implement contingencies.”

On cue, a conduit opened behind Xelan to the same howling void Nox dove into only minutes before, and it took all of Rayne’s restraint not to rush in after him. She wasn’t winning this without her Shadow.

And, by Elden, they would win.