“What does that mean?” I asked, growing more frustrated by the second. “Why am I here? Who are you?!”
“Seven is such a magic number,”the younger female said.“Such a powerful number, but power meansnothingwithout intent.”
“Intent for what?!”
Suddenly, the stars began to fall down in streams. One after the other, they left a long beam of light in their wake as they crashed over the horizon. My eyes darted back to the shadowy figures, and I saw them retreating back into the darkness.
“Intent for what?!” I screamed again.
“We want to give you a choice, Morrigan. One that onlyyoucan make.”
Chapter 48
MORRIGAN
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in bed, in a room I had never seen before.
Sun shone through the window beside me, and the sound of birds singing seemed to float through the air as a gentle breeze swept in. This clearly wasn’t the strange sea of stars I had just been in. But as I stretched out a hand to the small beam of light streaming through, I could feel its warmth. This wasn’t the Netherworld, either.
“Morrigan!”
I jumped at the sound of my name being called from somewhere in the house. I quickly examined the room, trying to piecetogether where I might be. The bed was large, but the home itself appeared quaint, closer to the size of the house I was raised in.
“You can sleep any other day, flower, but there is too much to celebrate!”
Is that…“Mom?”
I leapt from the bed and charged out of the room, sliding to a stop as I braced my hands on the landing leading to the stairs. Over the railing, I saw my mother standing in the doorway, one hand on her hip as she leaned into the frame. Her hair was down, luscious and full—nowhere similar to the state I had just seen her in. She smirked up at me with a look I had seen far too often, whenever I was up to something mischievous.
“What… What are you doing here?” I asked her, gripping the railing tightly.
She let out a surprised laugh and placed her other hand on her hip as she pushed off of the frame. “That must have been quite the sleep if you’re asking me what I’m doing in my own home.” She walked beneath the stairs, disappearing from my sight, so I followed her as I slowly descended each step. Within seconds, she reemerged with a steaming pot in her hands, which were now covered in red mitts. “Would you stop standing there with your mouth open, Morrigan? Grab the plates from the kitchen, and go set the table outside.”
I pressed my lips together and peered over her to the small kitchen near the back wall. It was painted a bright blue, with windows overlooking a large garden. Attempting to sort through my confusion, I did as she asked, grabbing the stacked plates and utensils beside the sink before following her out.
She placed the pot at the center of a long table and straightened her back, closing her eyes. As she took in a deep breath, her head tilted upward toward the sky. “Such a beautiful day,” she sighed.
I couldn’t help but gape at her while I set down each plate, trying to figure out what was happening right now. This wasn’t a memory. We hadnever lived in a place like this. But she appeared the exact same age she was when she died.
“Morrigan,” she said, snatching my attention back.
I blinked a few times and wiped the sweat from my hands onto my gown.
“Are you feeling alright?” She approached me, placing both hands on my cheeks before bringing her lips to my forehead. “You don’t seem to be running a fever. What’s wrong, flower?”
Maybe I’m dreaming. Perhaps these are the things you see when you die… Your deepest desires.I had always yearned for a normal life. Maybe, until the darkness returned, I could… live it for a little while.
“Nothing,” I said, shaking off my apprehension. “How can I help, Mom?”
It wasn’t long before the table was set, and the aroma from the food had my mouth watering.
I picked up my plate and made to grab for one of the biscuits, but my mother swatted my hand away.
“It isn’tyourbirthday, Morrigan,” she scolded me with a smile.
“Birthday? Who’s birthday is?—”
Loud laughter nearby interrupted me, and when I turned around to see who it came from, the plate slipped from my fingers. Walking toward us was Harley and…Tristan?Harley’s hand was on his shoulder as they smiled at each other, making silent jokes together.
