The noble red she-wolf walked toward me with her head held high, her black eyes shimmering. She stood before me, waiting for my response.
Sometimes, she said.We must bury ourselves and kill our past, to give birth to new life.
Her voice was like the one echoing inside my soul. I’d never heard it before, and yet, I'd heard it all my life. It was the voiceinside of me. Her call was the only direction I needed. Her guidance was the light that would ignite my path forward. And I realized the truth then.
I could not become queen if I lived as I once did. I would have to kill Emma, and a queen would have to rise from her grave. The girl I’d once been before I came to Malovia had died to become the warrior, and now, the warrior would have to die for me to become queen. I would have to give up myself to become all I wanted to be. I wasn't afraid of monsters, the world, or even the dark god.
But I was afraid of becoming irrelevant. I wanted to leave my mark on this planet, make this place better than I had found it. I wanted people to remember me, leave a legacy that would honor the fae and my memory. I would not,could notbe forgotten.
If that was my dream, then the old Emma had to die. There was no other way. I couldn’t keep being that girl who avoided the monsters that were in her path and tried to hide away from the worst of the world. I dealt with things, sure, but not until the last minute, and not until they were practically on my doorstep. I could fight, and I was brave, but I was also avoidant, too. I didn’t face my problems until I had no other choice.
I couldn’t do that anymore. I had to take the crown knowing risks were necessary, and be willing to fight the worst head-on. I couldn’t cower away from evil, because evil would always find me. It would never leave me alone, not until I defeated it once and for all. That could take a lifetime, and that was a terrifying thought, but I couldn’t be willing to give up and turn away like I had before.
I had to lose myself to find myself, because the only way forward was to leave behind the person I once was, and rise as a champion.
To become all that I wanted to be, I had to let myself go.
As the red wolf blinked her black eyes at me, I knew that I was ready.
I spread my arms wide. "Take me," I said, ready for whatever was to come. "I am ready to be born again.”
The red wolf crouched. She ran forward, and her jaws opened wide as she leapt into the air. I winced as I felt the pain of her fangs pierce my throat, and allowed her powerful jaws to break my neck.
I awokefrom the trance with a harsh start. I was still on the ground. The skies above me had lightened, giving way to a beautiful morning.
I sat up abruptly, breathing heavily. Everyone in the Circle looked at me, gazes telling nothing.
I blinked, and tilted my head to Lady Magdalina.
“It is done," she said. "Emma has passed her Trial."
She appeared astoundingly proud, while the rest of the Circle was momentarily shocked. Most of them had obviously thought I would not make it through.
“Ethan,” I began, turning to him. My heart sank as I realized that he was still on his back, trapped deeply within the vision. He still had not passed his Trial. The nectar had him, and it would not let him go until he had conquered his greatest fear. His eyes twitched behind his closed eyelids, and his form convulsed, as if he was battling a great war deep within his mind.
I sure hope he passed. Because after everything I'd been through, I couldn't bear to lose him now to insanity.
"Hold on, Ethan," I whispered, but I'm not sure if he heard me. He was so far within the trance that I worried he was lost to me forever.
The crown was within our reach. All I could do now was pray that Ethan did not lose his mind.
Chapter Three
Ethan
"Ethan. Wake up. It's time."
I opened my eyes, and found myself upon a soft bed— one similar to the mattress that had been in my royal quarters in the palace.
I sat up. Emma was standing across from me, fully clothed in a long purple gown. Her hair was fashioned well, and jewels hung around her neck, signaling her immense wealth.
Looking around the elaborate room, I realized we must be in the palace. We would not be here if we had not earned our place on the throne.
Emma looked at me expectantly, as if she was waiting for me to do something… though I had no idea what she was asking me.
We must have passed our Trial. Why couldn’t I remember it?
"Follow me down to the throne room,” Emma began. “There is something you must see."
