Chapter 231 The cost of power 1

Chapter 231: Chapter 231 The cost of power 1

Talia’s POV

The silence was heavy after the rogues disappeared, and I could feel the eyes of the group on me. I stood in the middle of the path, with my legs shaking, and my hands trembling.

I could feel the weight of the power still pressing against my skin, even as it faded. It was like a second heartbeat, slowly slowing down, leaving me hollow and weak.

I could feel the eyes of the others on me, waiting for me to say something, to explain what had just happened. But I did not have the words, because I barely understood it myself.

The power was still humming in my chest, warm and alive, but it was fading now.

Jax let out a low whistle. He shook his head slowly, and I saw the respect flickering behind his eyes. "I have seen a lot of things in my life," he said, "but that was something else.”

His voice was light, but I could hear the tension underneath it. He was trying to break the silence, to make things feel normal again, but nothing felt normal anymore.

"That amazing sight never gets old," he said.

I did not smile, because the way my body was reacting even when I was trying to keep my cool, I could not.

My face felt like it was carved from stone, and I could not find the strength to move my lips. All I could feel was the hollow emptiness spreading through my chest.

The power was draining out of me, leaving behind a hollow emptiness that made my stomach churn. My legs suddenly felt weak, and I swayed on my feet.

The world tilted around me, and I had to blink to keep my balance. I felt like I was standing on the edge of something, and I did not know if I would fall.

Kaelen noticed.

He stepped closer and put his hand on my back. "Are you okay?"

I could feel the warmth of his palm through my shirt, steady and grounding. It was the only thing keeping me upright.

I shook my head. I tried to speak, but my throat was dry, and my voice would not come. I had never felt so empty before, or so used up.

The words came out barely above a whisper, and I could hear the exhaustion in my own voice. I had never felt so drained before.

"I am tired." I managed to say.

He looked at me, and I could see the concern in his eyes.

His gray eyes searched my face, looking for something I could not name. I knew he was worried, and I wanted to tell him I was fine, but I could not lie to him.

"I feel like I gave away a piece of myself back there," I admitted, my voice barely audible. "Like the power took something from me that I am never going to get back, and I do not know if I can keep doing this if it is going to feel like this every single time.”

"We will find a place to stop soon." Kaelen said, holding me closer.

I nodded, because I did not have the energy to speak.

I just focused on putting one foot in front of the other, on climbing back onto my horse, and on holding on, because it was all I could do.

We rode for a few more hours, but I could barely stay awake. My eyes were heavy, and my body felt like it was made of lead.

Every movement took effort, and I felt like I was moving through water. The world around me seemed distant and blurred.

I gripped the reins, but my fingers kept slipping.

Piper rode up beside me.

Her face was filled with worry, and I could see the fear in her eyes. She was trying to be brave, but I knew her too well to miss it.

"Talia, you look exhausted." Piper said.

"I am fine," I replied.

I tried to sound convincing, but I could hear the lie in my own words. I was not fine, in fact, I was far from fine.

"You do not have to pretend with me, Talia," Piper said softly, her eyes searching my face. "I can see how tired you are, and I know you are scared, and you do not have to carry all of this alone, not when we are all here with you.”

But my voice came out weak, and I knew she did not believe me.

Before I could speak, Kaelen called for a stop.

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. I was too tired to argue anyway.

He helped me down from my horse, and I felt my legs buckle beneath me.

I had not realized how weak I was until I tried to stand. My knees gave out, and I felt myself falling, but Kaelen caught me before I fell.

"Easy," he said.

His voice was soft, and I could feel his arms wrap around me, holding me steady. He was my anchor, and my rock.

"I have you." Kaelen said, with his voice firm and reassuring.

"I should not have used it," I whispered, leaning into his chest. "I should have let you fight them, because now I am useless, and I cannot even stand on my own, and what good am I to anyone if I cannot even stay awake?”