Are you sure?he asked.We can never take this back.
I’d never been more sure of anything in my life.Yes.
So be it.
Oberi climbed down from the gurney and took a step away from me. Something within our bond shifted, the way it felt when Oberi changed shape. But this was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Instead of the intense Fire that came from her unicorn form, or the smooth Water energy I felt in her narwhal form, a calm, serene sensation settled in my stomach.
I heard the unfurl of feathers, and something soft and solid touched my arm. The warmth of Spirit energy brushed over me, similar to when Sophia healed my leg earlier. An image of a large white phoenix began to form in my mind. It was like each time I’d touched spirits before— first with my ancestors in the Lair, then with Whale Spirit in the hospital. When Oberi transformed into her Spirit form and touched me, I couldseeher standing before me in her ethereal form.
Oberi’s phoenix form was magnificent. Her beautiful white wings stretched out in an awe-inspiring display. Beautiful white plumes of feathers grew from the top of her head, and long, narrow feathers formed a gorgeous white tail that drifted all the way to the ground. Spirit magic shimmered up and down her form, making her glow with crystalline power against the darkness.
Gasps traveled around the room as Ava’s family and our friends took in Oberi’s new form. My jaw dropped as I took in the incredible moment.
Oberi flapped her gorgeous wings, and I remained speechless as I watched her fly upward. I could hardly comprehend the beauty of her incredible form. She hovered above me, sending waves of air off her feathers. Spirit magic seemed to flow with her flight, and calm waves of energy washed over me.
Oberi began to hum a beautiful tune. By the Great Spirit, Oberi’s song was incredible. She had me entranced.
Oberi ducked her beak. She pulled away from her chest with a single glowing feather, trapped in her mouth. She lowered her head, and the feather fell through the air. I reached out to feel it land lightly on Ava-Marie’s chest.
A second voice joined in Oberi’s tune, creating an enchanting melody. It was so quiet at first, I wasn’t even sure I’d heard it or if I’d just made it up. It had to be Ava’s voice, because there was no other in the universe that sounded so sweet.
Oberi leaned toward Ava, and a sight I never thought I’d witness began to form in front of me. Oberi’s beak lightly touched Ava’s forehead, where her third eye would be. Ava’s spirit began to take shape in my mind. She wasn’t totally solid, and she was more ethereal than anything, but ancestors, I couldseeAva’s spirit as it returned to her body. At first, all I could see was her face, but slowly, more and more of her body took shape, as if witnessing an artist draw out her spirit in real-time.
And that’s what Ava-Marie was. A work of art.
I never had to see what another girl looked like, because if I had to make the perfect person for myself, this is what she would be. It had never been more clear to me than in that moment that Ava-Marie wasmade for me.
I couldn’t do anything but stare down at my love. She was everything I could ever dream of. Tears streamed down my face, and I reached out for her.
“Welcome home, pidge,” I whispered.
Ava-Marie’s eyes shot open, and that was the last thing I saw before the image of her spirit swept out of my mind. Oberi’s phoenix landed on the ground behind the gurney, and I heard the sound of her body collapse. Her spirit form disappeared from my vision. Oberi squawked, like the magic had been too strong.
Then the terrifying, ungodly sound of Ava’s pained screams tore through the room.
My heart lurched. Horror struck as I realized what Ava had just returned to. Her body was broken and bleeding, and her insides were spilling from her abdomen.
I became a statue, because as much as I wanted to bring her back, I didn’t realize how much agony it would cause her.I’ddone this to her.
The sound of a door slamming open met my ears, and I heard Kallie yelling. “Help! We need a doctor!”
Footsteps sounded down the hall. I was vaguely aware of nurses rushing back into the room, but I remained rooted firmly in place. I didn’t know what to do. Someone shoved me out of the way, and I snapped back to attention.
“Help her, please! My wife,” I begged.
“How the hell did you resuscitate her?!” a doctor barked as hasty noises began filling the room.
No one responded. I think we were all in too much shock.
“Get the family out of here!” a woman cried. “I need anesthesia immediately.”
“I’m staying,” Sophia said firmly. “I’m a healer. I can help.”
“She stays. Everyone else leaves,” someone barked.
Ava’s cries continued to fill the room. Terror spread through our bond, and I couldn’t believe what I had done.
Hands landed on me, and several people dragged me out. I didn’t fight back, but I couldn’t seem to move by myself, either. Ava’s screams continued to echo down the hall.
