Chapter 36 - SacrificeDamon I followed the young illusion of Alora, weaving through the thick pine trees. Helix right beside me, never missing a beat. Though the moon's glow never shifted, it felt like we had been running for hours through the dark forest. Finally, we started to slow down, and I followed Alora's lead as she appeared from behind a pine tree. A similar stone path to the one I had travelled to get to the fire was now before us. "He's down there," Alora whispered. My brows pinched together. "Who?" "Your friend, he's the one who helped me find you and Apollo. It's why you didn't see your fears, unlike your friends. I couldn't get to the others fast enough. My powers aren't as strong here as they are in the real world." The thought of the others being in danger made me want to run through the forest and towards whatever person helped her. I knew only two people who were with us that even had enough power to help like this, but it could also be a trap.So instead of ru
Chapter 37 - Judgement DamonIt was like the world was moving in slow motion. I could see the moment when Alora looked at us and decided that our lives were worth more than her own. It was like I was reliving my mother's death all over again, watching her sacrifice herself to protect the ones she cared about. But this time, it hit me differently. It wasn't like the loss of my mother. It also wasn't like the loss of my mate either. Both times they destroyed me but not the way this death would. Maybe it was because Alora sacrificed herself for me or because, deep down, I knew that at some point, I had crossed a line I couldn't step back from. It had been so long since I had felt that way about a female that when it happened, I didn't realize it at the time, the unfamiliar feeling making me vulnerable to her beauty and her attitude only aiding in my confusion and anger. I was so lost in the pits of my own mind that I had become so out of touch with my own heart. It was confusing how o
Chapter 38 - Reborn AloraWhat happens after death? Most believe that you enter the Veil, your lost loved ones all waiting to greet you on the other side. But what happens for those who are made, not born or a true life force?What happens when they die?Do they just disappear and become nothing but matter in time and space? Is there an afterlife for them too?If that were true, then when would it happen? When would I feel myself fade away and become whatever it was I would become?"You ask a lot of questions for someone who is supposedly dead." A female voice echoed from somewhere in the distance. It was harmonious, her words stringing together like a song. My eyes shot open; bright white light filled the space, but despite being lost in the dark for so long, it didn't burn my eyes. Nothing existed around me—no floor or ceiling. No grass or even a sky, just an empty white room except for the throne that sat a female and her Onyx colours wolf, I noticed as I sat myself up. I could
Chapter 39 - Memories DamonI left Alora with Nova and Nesrin, going against everything I wanted because the council requested my presence. The last place I wanted to be right now was in that stuffy room dealing with insolent fae who disregarded my words at every turn, but I knew it was inevitable. Everyone saw us, saw her. There would be questions I would have to answer, questions I didn't want to answer right now, questions I didn't even know the answers to myself. All I wanted was to be with Alora and forget the world. She sacrificed herself to save mine and Helga's lives to save the Kingdom. Then, she was gone; I felt her die; I felt her magic leave her body. But out of some strange miracle, she was here now, and I was gifted a second-chance mate. I only knew of one other mated couple who was given such a thing: Rachel and Drake. I didn't know what to do with the newfound knowledge. I immediately wanted to claim her as mine, but my past made me second-guess it. Would she even
Chapter 40 - Scared AloraThe smell of citrus and cedar filled my nose, and the warmth of a body against my back started to pull me back further into the sweet bliss of sleep that still clung to me. I found myself never wanting to wake up from this dream. I liked the feel of the heavy arm draped across my waist. I found myself snuggling closer to the source of warmth. Why did this dream feel so real? Like a moth to a flame, images rushed forward, first of my mother being engulfed in flames before my very eyes, then of Athena Bloodstone placing a kiss on my forehead, followed by the cry of a bird before the morning sky was filled with golden flames of Phoenix. Then, finally, the last memory came forward, Damon catching me before I hit the ground.Suddenly something else flashed through my mind. Naked, I had been naked. Immediately I was all too aware of my surroundings. I shot up from the bed. My eyes were wide as I frantically looked around the unfamiliar room. How did I get here?
Chapter 41- Evasive Damon I stared at Balor, waiting for him to go into further detail. If he knew someone who could help Alora discover more about her Pheonix powers, then I was all ears. I wasn't the only one, either. The whole table seemed to go silent, waiting for Balor to tell us what he knew. Balor flashed a smile, moving to take a seat at the end of the table. Always with the long pauses and the dramatics. Balthazar was rubbing off on him; I knew I should be more concerned about that, but right now, I didn't particularly care. "You aren't going to like it. Frankly, I think it's fate's way of mocking us." He mused, resting his elbows on the table, his tattooed hands clasping together, showing off the rings that cover every finger. "Spit it out, Balor." Nesrin sighed. He placed a hand on his chest, feigning insult. "Not even a hello, these days. You all really are living up to the Jinx stories. Second class, scum who have no etiquette and are an insult to the fae Kingdom. T
Chapter 42 - Full CircleAloraIt's funny how even after you have overcome your deepest fears that they can still creep up on you. That was how it felt right now, anyways, as we arrived at the Dream realm. It was a ghost town, everyone seeming to either vanish with my mother's magic or flee as soon as they were freed from their promise to her. The streets were quiet, the ports empty, and the palace looked haunted. The golden paint was already losing its shine and fading with the faded magic. The windows were dark and unwelcoming as we approached the not-so-gilded gate. It was now that I felt the fear of my mother creep up on me. The well of my fears bubbled in the pit of my stomach. For decades I walked through these gates and made my way to my mother's throne room to report my findings and give her the things she requested I steal. The motions all felt so familiar, but with Damon by my side, they also felt different. I knew he could sense my hesitation as we approached the giant w
Chapter 43 - WarningDamonI sat at the dais, my legs hanging over the edge as I waited for Cedric to arrive with the artifacts Alora and I asked for. Balor was right when he said the Jinx family would bargain for their priceless information. The smug look on their faces was wiped away and replaced with wide gaping mouths as they stared at the amulet in shock.Diana had muttered a curse under her breath. One I was sure she wanted me to hear because she said it so close to me. But I bit my tongue as I handed over the amulet, not wanting to risk them being stingy with their end of the deal.Alora was waiting in the Library, looking over whatever other books Audra had found for her. Now that Alora had her dream magic again, she was more determined than ever to find out what else she was capable of doing. I couldn't help but admire her for her devotion and eagerness. I was still reeling in from the mind-blowing realization that not only was Alora a rare Pheonix shifter, but she was also