MORRIGAN
Ilanded on my ass, water splashing out and pain shooting up my spine.
When I looked around, I was both disappointedandrelieved to see that I had returned to the sea of stars, and I let out a groan under my breath. “I’m getting really tired of falling everywhere.”
“We have watched you, Morrigan,”the younger female voice spoke again, whispering beside my ear. The sensation sent a crawling chill down my spine.“We felt every lash on your skin, cried every tear that slid down your cheeks, and shivered every night you spent in that little attic.”
“Whoareyou?” I insisted, pushing myself up from the ground. “Why did you show me that? None of it was real. I don’tunderstand?—”
“The stars choseyou, Morrigan,”the older female responded.“They led our light into that crib. A girl born with no name… and a future already planned for her. It seems everyone butyouhad a say in your life.”
“Are you here to remind me of how shitty my life was?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. “I survived all of that,andmore. Answer my question!”
“Imagine a world where you wereneverborn with that star on your shoulder,”the little one replied.“A world wherehewas given anewlife. We could give that to you.”
“Give mewhat? A new life? Why would you even want to do that for me?”
“It isn’t about whatwewant, Morrigan, but whatyouwant.”
“So, you would just create a whole new life? Tristan would be mortal, and my mother never would have…” They don’t respond, but I sense their validation in the sweet, scented air. “No scars… No pain…” I whispered to myself.
Tristan wouldn’t have had to be alone. He’d have a family…Iwould have a family.
“And the lords? What would happen to them? Hypothetically…”
“Everything comes with a cost,”the male spoke up.“If you no longer bear the star, another must take your place. Another girl will be chosen and given to the lords as their blood gift.”
I mean… it’s not like it was ahorriblelife—being doted on and worshiped by attractive men.
“But, she will be mortal. Without the light of your fated god, she will live only for their benefit. Forallof the lords…”
My stomach tightened as a pair of green eyes flashed before mine. “And Cain?—”
“Would still be Cain,”the older female whispered.
“But it wouldn’t have to beyouthat suffers,”said the little one.“You could free yourself of the chains of fate. Live the life that youwantto live.”
I didn’t understand why they were doing this, orhowthey had the power to give me such a choice—a tempting one at that. “But, if I give up this life, I won’t have Dez… I won’t have Kaiden…”
“But you wouldn’t remember them,”the little one assured me.“You would only know the life that you are living. All of this guilt would be released.”
“Butwhyare you offering me this?!”
“We need an answer,”the male said.
“I can’t give you an answer like this when I don’t know?—”
“Youmustdecide?—”
“Then, no!” I yelled. My voice seemed to echo across the stars, creating tiny ripples in the water at my feet. The small, flickering lights above seemed to blaze even brighter, as if my flames had reached out and fueled their heat. “No. My life is my own. I am who I ambecauseof what I have endured.”
Their voices were silent, but the air around me began to thicken with power.
“I won’t leave Dez. I won’t leaveanyof them.”
I could almost sense the little one before she spoke.“But all they have done is hurt you?—”
“I love them,” I admitted. “Even if I don’t understandwhy. It doesn’t change the fact that Ido. I don’t want a life without them—not anymore.”
