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“They will forgive you if you can release the fear in your heart, or they will become marked. Your father is already fading.”
I whipped around to protest, to beg for them, but she was gone. This was my choice and Future’s promise. I would go immediately. There was solace in knowing the outcome. Knowing that Atlas would remain behind me, ever steady, regardless of my weakness. Maybe I couldn’t save them from the past, but I would save their future.
“That’s a wise choice,” Past said, appearing once more. “And now for what I promised.”
The goddess, though not as bright as my recent experience, hovered in an empty space with Atlas on his knees before her, head bowed.
“I am here to bargain for Marley’s freedom.”
The goddess huffed a laugh. “For one to be freed, one must be bound. The only bound souls I see here belong to my Spirits, Atlas Firepelt. Why have you trapped my beings?”
“She is bound. Your magic is a curse.”
He finally lifted his head to look up at the goddess, but I turned my back.
“I do not wish to see this,” I hissed to the little girl beside me.
“I know,” she smiled, the sentiment so eerie, it raised the flesh on my arms.
The room swiveled as I was forced back around.
“I like Marley,” the goddess answered. “I believe I will keep her.”
The growl from Atlas was hardly human as he moved to his feet, never giving the goddess an inch. “Then I will keep your Spirits bound in that salt circle, and I will wait here for eternity. I’ll die at your feet before I touch a grain of that salt.”
“I am quite capable of moving the salt.” The confidence in the goddess’ voice was far less convincing than Atlas’.
“Then prove it,” he said, voice low and drawn out. A dare if ever I’d heard one.
“What if I gave you back your wolf instead? Reversed the effects of the Book of Omnia. Would you let me keep her?”
A breath caught in my throat. I saw the look of longing deep within his eyes. The note of hesitation as he weighed and considered her words. But I did not fear his answer. Not as I knew he slept beside me. Instead, I only felt sad, realizing what he’d given up.
“Marley’s freedom or nothing. I will not bargain. Especially for something I can live without.”
“Your heart is good, Atlas.” She lifted a hand to his cheek. “I bless you. And as such, at the stroke of midnight on Solstice, I will grant your twin flame her freedom. But then her soul and her heart are yours to protect.”
“With my life,” he answered as the room faded away.
“See you in a few years, Marley,” the little girl said before she, too, vanished.
I stood stunned in the dark room, the man that had saved me sleeping soundly. He’d chosen me. The goddess could not have tempted him with anything greater, and though the weight of that temptation had struck him soundly, the mark on my wrist had still vanished. He’d saved me. In so many ways.
I crawled back into bed, sliding under his arm, and leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Our daughter is going to be so beautiful.”
“I know,” he whispered, still half asleep as he pulled me closer. “I’m in so much trouble.”
THE END
