Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, everyone!
Rlmuench21, I don't remember which chapter it was in (it might have been the second story), but the Alamur are very evil fairies. Everything about them is evil, including their sugar. Bright Fairies (AKA, Pixie Hollow and kind fairies) can't tolerate such evil, so it kills them. I'll have Spruce explain it in this chapter.
He laid her down in her bed and tucked the blankets around her. Being her mate, he could feel the darkness taking her as if it was claiming his own body. Sitting down on the bed, he held her hand in case she was somewhat conscious and scared. Then he slowly started singing the song they had written to each other.
Spruce was sitting in the corner, having waited for them to come back because he knew she was close to death. He quietly wept at the tender scene when Milori sang to her, watching his friend's heart break so completely. When Milori finished the song, Spruce walked over to lay a hand of comfort on his back.
"Does she hurt?" Milori croaked through his quiet sobs.
"I don't think so. Do you want me to give her pain medicine?" He brushed at his eyes.
He nodded, not looking away from her beautiful face. At least in this light she didn't look so gray and ill. He wanted to remember her healthy and laughing, but he knew these memories of her being so ill would haunt him for the rest of his days.
Spruce leaned down to inject her shoulder and then stopped. "Milori?" He asked slowly. "Her glow is stronger. Did you mate?" he asked in horror.
Kissing her brow, he ignored Spruce. He wouldn't let anything ruin the precious memory of binding their lights.
"You might get the poison too. This Alamur sugar destroys our sugar, which thrives on happiness and kindness. It drains all love from a heart to leave depression and anger. It is the most horrible way for a fairy to die. Why would you risk yourself...?!" He closed his mouth, seemingly rethinking his words.
"Because I love her," he whispered with tears in his eyes, still gazing at her. "Because if she is to be lost to the darkness, I wanted her to know a moment of love from me deeper than she has ever felt. Even if the price is my life, I would do it again for her in a heartbeat." This soft evening light was so beautiful on her, lending its rosiness to her skin.
Spruce touched her brow and then pulled out a syringe and started drawing sugar.
"No, don't make her hurt more. There's no point, and you damn well aren't going to experiment on her," he snarled. He started to reach over to withdraw the syringe.
"It does have a point when her color is returning."
Milori froze. "No, it's the light," he whispered, refusing to let his hopes soar.
Spruce ran a fast-result test and also looked at her sugar under a microscope he had brought along. "Uh, no. Her organs are gaining function." He turned and stared at Milori. "Give me your arm. We have to make sure you didn't take the poison for her by mating," he said urgently.
He startled when her wings started flapping, pushing her onto her side. A loud gasp escaped her and her eyes shot open. She started screaming.
He grabbed her so she wouldn't get hurt, his first thought being she was going mad. But then she looked at him, her eyes filled with terror, and stilled.
"Milori?" she whimpered.
The shock of seeing her awake rendered him speechless.
"Is it really you?" she sniffled with tears in her eyes. Her trembling hand reached up to touch his cheek. "There were so many Alamur. They tried to hurt me," she whispered. Then her eyes rolled back and she went limp.
Spruce swore and ran over.
"What's happening?" Milori gasped in shock, staring at her.
Spruce's eyes slowly met his. "She's trying to come back to you." He shoved Milori closer to her. "Whatever you did before, do it again," he urged and drew some of Milori's sugar.
Milori had no idea what he had done that had worked, so he climbed on the bed to hold her in his arms. "Clarion, come back," he begged with tears streaming down his face. "I love you. Fight them, sweetheart. I'm right here. Find your way back to me." He stroked her cheek. "Did I tell you the first of the many times I wanted to propose? It was when we were in spring that first time and you were showing me fireflies. Their glows danced in your eyes, and you were so incredibly beautiful. The wonder on your face captured my heart. I wish I had dropped to my knee and asked you then, sweetheart. Even after all the time we were apart, when I came back to help you with the freeze and the Pixie Tree, it was as if I had only been gone a moment in time. I had forgotten what it was like to feel the love and joy that surrounds you. I came alive again, sweetheart. Our love has faced so many trials, and I know it has been a whirlwind of hardships...but I would not trade any of it for a second because I love you more each day, even when I think it isn't possible to find more love in my heart. You make me a better soul, sweetheart. I know I didn't give you the mating you deserve or dreamed of, but it was the most amazing moment of my life." He cradled her against him and couldn't stop the sobs. "Because our hearts flew together in that moment when time stood still for us," he whispered.
She was still, no longer breathing.
He held her, rocking her on the bed in his arms and sobs coming from his soul. He felt her light leave his heart, suddenly so void inside that he was sure his own heart had stopped beating. The anguish and grief was impossibly profound, and he felt part of his soul tearing away with her light. No one ever spoke of this physical torture upon losing a mate. He couldn't breathe. And he welcomed it.
"Milori?" Spruce said nervously. "Milori!"
He felt his breath leave his lips and he started to slouch over her body. But he kept hold of her hand as his heart stopped beating.
"No! Milori!" Spruce screamed.