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“Just us it is.”
My heart warms, faith almost haunting me.
Taking a deep breath, everyone steps up to the shadows with me. I kneel before them once more. “When green arches hold delicate reds, all that is needed is a touch of darkness, a promise of change, and an unwavering belief.” The words pound in my ears as I feel their weight. I know it, but I don’t understand.
“Green arches, delicate reds,” Creed murmurs from behind me, and Eldon stumbles back a step.
“Wait here. I think I might have it.”
I frown in confusion, not wanting to allow this hope to grow anymore, as I watch my fireball rush back into the house. A quick glance at everyone else tells me they have no clue either, but there isn’t much time for us to sit and consider the situation because he’s racing back to us a moment later.
He comes to a halt beside me with his fist clenched as he holds it out in my direction, slowly uncurling to reveal the Potens Ruby.
“When green arches—the emerald gates—hold delicate reds—the Potens Ruby—all that is needed is a touch of darkness—a necromancer—a promise of change—still you—and an unwavering belief—us. All of us.”
I blink at him, heat tingling along my skin from head to toe as his words click together in my head.
“But she’s been in the Realm of Shadows along with the Potens Ruby before and it hasn’t made a difference,” Peta murmurs, wincing at the dampener he threatens to put on the mood, but Brax waves his hand, interjecting.
“But the delicate red hasn’t had a touch of darkness through the green arches.” My eyebrows pinch again as I glance at him, confused as hell, and he sighs. “You’ve never touched the Potens Ruby, Raven. Not in the Elevin Realm, and certainly not in here.”
My palms instantly feel clammy as I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip, turning back to Eldon, who holds the ruby between us.
“It can’t be as simple as just touching it… can it?”
“We won’t know unless we try,” Zane murmurs, hope twinkling in his eyes.
“Hold your hand out, Little Bird,” Eldon directs, and I slowly turn my hand over to reveal my palm, lifting it toward him.
His eyes lock on mine and I can feel everyone staring at me, the attention making me falter as I exhale slowly. He poises his hand above mine, ready to drop it into my open palm but waiting for my signal.
Clearing my throat, I look him dead in the eyes. “I love you. I love all of you,” I state, words firm as I turn to look at Creed, then Zane, and finally Brax.
Emotion rises inside of me as the rest of the realm drifts into the darkness. All that exists is me and the glistening red ruby in Eldon’s hand.
“Do it.”
NINETEEN
RAVEN
The weight imprints against my palm, slamming my eyes shut and wobbling the ground beneath my feet. Colors flicker on the back of my eyelids as I open my mouth to gasp, but it lodges in my throat.
My pulse whirls in my ears, leaving me lightheaded as I try to blink my eyes open.
Everything is bright, too bright, and I have to shield my eyes with my free hand as color dances around us, banishing the gray hues that have haunted us for so long.
I see Eldon first, still standing right in front of me, but his gaze is taking in our surroundings. Looking for the others, I find them in the exact spots they were in moments earlier, only the ground beneath their feet isn’t filled with emptiness. It’s rich green grass with perfectly trimmed blades. The smell of lavender engulfs my senses as birds chirping in the distance register in my ears.
Turning, I put my back to the beaming sun so I can see without worrying that my retinas are going to fry. Everything feels the same, yet bursting with color and… happiness.
Shadows swarm us, dancing and twirling against every surface until they disappear from sight.
Confusion and self-doubt overwhelm any hope or faith until I’m suddenly swept off my feet. The arms aren’t familiar and my back stiffens defensively until I hear their voice.
“Raven. Oh, Raven! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
I glance over my shoulder to see Peta holding me tight as he bounces with blissful joy.
