Winding stones lead us to the mouth of the cave. It looms before us, its wide entrance beckoning me closer. I hesitate for a beat before stepping inside.
Everly grabs my hand and grips it tightly as she keeps pace next to me. Neither of us speaks. Maybe because there are no words needed. We both know the price we paid to come here.
I left Hector.
She left Cenric.
For nearly four weeks, my world has been turned sideways. Now, it’s time to renew myself, to be whole again.
As I walk, I take in the walls, glimmering with crystals of all shapes and sizes. They light our path as we continue, the sound of our footsteps echoing. Every bounce of sound seems like it could alert some lurking danger, but I know there is nothing but peace to be found here.
We walk deeper into the cave, following the gentle sound of water that grows louder with each step we take. Finally, we reach a large chamber. In the center lies a pool of water so clear and still that it reflects everything around it. An ancient tree grows at the core, its trunk wide, and its limbs reaching out like a canopy.
My fingers itch with the desperate need to touch the pool.
So, I do.
As I kneel and skim the surface, a shudder ripples through me, a tiny quiver that reaches deep into my soul. I close my eyes, breathing, living, and allowing the tension to ease from my muscles. Allowing the darkness to leap back, to hide.
Hurriedly, I strip off my clothes and step into the surprisingly warm water.Everly sits on a rock, watching me, her eyes dancing with happiness.
As I sink to my shoulders, the water soothes my body, my troubled mind. All the guilt and regret dissolve in the pool’s embrace.
This is exactly what I needed.
This renewal.
This comfort.
This soothing of my soul.
Energy pulses through me as the water trembles, stripping away the shadows of my soul—the ones that hungered for conflict, that claimed lives. Dark blood flows from me, seeping into the tree’s base.
I gasp, remembering the Seer saying she saw sacred roots drinking blood. Those words made no sense until this moment. How could they?
Droplets of water drip from my hands as I lift them and grin. All the black has faded away, as if it were never there. But it was there, eating at my soul, my light, my ability to cast Kyanite magic.
“Do you feel better?” Everly asks.
“Yes,” I say in barely more than a whisper. It seems wrong to speak any louder. After all, this is a sacred place. A place put here by the high gods to help people like me.
“I’m so thrilled for you, Sol.”
I run a finger against my skin, feeling the warmth. “Thank you, Everly. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
She bobs her head in a nod and grins.
As I lean back, basking in the water, Hector’s face lingers behind my vision. Those silver-blue eyes. Those full lips. What I wouldn’t give to have him here with me right now.
This pool is only a momentary relief. Ineedto be close to Hector again. My body needs to feel his against mine.
I raise my left arm enough to stare at the tattoo—the ultimate proof of what he chose for us. This binding. This connection.
And then…
My heart races as I bring my hand to my slightly swollen abdomen.
There’s this…
