Disclaimer: I don't own any of 'Daughter of smoke and bone', however much I wish I did.
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Chapter 1: A land of smoke and bone
Karou heard nothing. Then there was a snap – and another, and another, until all she could here was a violent crackling of blood rushing in her ears as what Akiva had just said fell into place. The only people in her life – this life – who she felt at home with were dead. Suddenly, the only other person who perhaps ever loved her as much who was standing right in front of her was no longer welcome. 'I can't-, How could-'she choked out. She could feel his burning eyes boring into her, still filled with love – and for the first time, she couldn't meet his gaze. 'Karou-'he started, but she couldn't. 'Go, Akiva' she declared, mustering the strength that was quickly fading away. She knew it wouldn't be long before all of these feelings inside of her found their way out somehow, and she didn't want to have to answer to Akiva after. He tried to reach for her, but she was too quick. She jumped into flight and started to propel herself away from Akiva – where, she didn't know.
'Oh, Karou' Akiva murmured mournfully under his breath. Of course, he couldn't suspect anything else. It was incredible she hadn't screamed at him; beat him down to the ground. Maybe that would be better than the swell of guilt he felt in his chest. It was so strong is almost felt physical, like bile rising in his throat. He watched her as she flew away. She didn't look back. He knew he should walk away, leave her. He could wait to see if she would come back – but he couldn't, because for the first time he feared she wouldn't.
Karou could feel that Akiva had followed her – the heat radiating from his wings was being carried forward to her in the wind. She kept on flying; not knowing what would happen if she turned to face him. He was obviously willing to take the risk and see, as with one soar he flew over her head and stopped in front of her. 'Karou, please – I did it for us, for our dream. I thought I was keeping it alive' he rushed out, before she could protest. He had hold of her arms, to stop her turning away. 'I can't tell you how much I regret what I did. Just please, look at me. See it in my eyes, my guilt' he said softly. At first he thought she might comply – but he was wrong.
Another snap. She couldn't take it anymore. She kicked out at Akiva's torso to pull herself out of his grip and aimed her palms at him. 'You lied! Everything you said to me, you lied! How could I have trusted you! Everything we dreamt of, the future we planned and you threw it away with a swing of a blade!' she screamed, not trying to hide the tears pouring down her face. 'It was all for you Akiva, I gave everything of myself to you, everything, and I thought you felt the same – but you're just a monster! Maybe the white wolf was right – I was a filthy angel-lover!' and she directed every last drop of her energy into her words, into her palms, and Akiva could feel it.
Every word ripped through Akiva. Underneath the incredible force her palms released, Akiva did not turn his eyes away from hers. In them, he knew that whatever he and Madrigal had shared in Ellai's temple was lost, replaced by hatred, a burning anger almost as hot as his own eyes and betrayal. Akiva had never experienced such pain, or so he thought. That was until Karou dropped her palms and flew up until she disappeared. She'd gone back to Eretz, and a pang of dread spread throughout his body to replace the force of Karou's hamsas.
A land of smoke and bone, and Karou was right in its centre.