Page 135 of Cursebreaker

“I did.”

Rainai gives me a knowing look, laughter playing on his lips. He turns to Elsie, then. “Would you like some time to say your goodbyes?”

Again, that mischievous twinkle in Elsie’s eyes—that grin that reminds me of Owen. “Already done.”

Rainai’s chuckle sounds the way happiness feels. He holds out his hands for us to take.

A soft whoosh of wind carries us from the castle, and in the blink of an eye, we stand at the open doors that lead to the clearing from which I first entered this realm, still glowing with that glittering golden light.

I take a step toward the door. Almost no time will have passed in our realm, but I’m eager to return—to fight alongside my family and friends. But there’s something I must know—something I can’t leave here without asking.

I touch the hilt of the Sword, turning to face Rainai. “I still don’t understand,” I say. “Why the Sword?”

Rainai’s lips twitch as he nods slowly, clearly thinking hard about what he’s about to say. “When you crossed over, Vera determined that your intentions were pure, and there was no need to keep you from entering.”

I shake my head. “Then why did I need it?” And softer, “Why did Owen have to die?”

Even Rainai’s frown is kind, his eyes brimming with tears that never fall. “May I?” he asks, gesturing at the Sword.

I draw it from its sheath and pass it to him.

He weighs it in his grasp. “This Sword was made for Hildegarde by her husband,” he says, his voice somewhat strained. “After his death, she gave it a name. And before she hid the Sword, she placed an enchantment on it. I believe she hoped that one day, someone worthy of the Sword would find it, and that person, whoever they would be, would have no need for vanquishing the guardian of the gates. Instead,” he says, presenting the Sword to me, lowering his voice almost conspiratorially, “I think she hoped it would be used for something else entirely.”

I take the Sword, sheathe it at my hip. “For what?” I ask.

His eyes twinkle as he grins. “She called it Cursebreaker,” he says, as if that were all the answer I need.

Cursebreaker.

I clutch the pommel of the Sword in one fist and take Elsie’s outstretched hand with the other. But as we turn to face the open doors, I look over my shoulder at Rainai one last time.

“My mother told me you had a plan for me,” I say. “What if I make the wrong choices? What if I stray from the path? How will I know if I’m living my purpose?”

His grin broadens. “There’s only one way to find out,” he says, motioning at the open doorway—at the glittering gold dust of creation. “By living.”

Remember, you have to live. It’s not always easy. I know I’ll make mistakes. I know, sometimes, I will fail, and I will fall. But every moment I’m alive—every minute I spend with my family—is precious. Time is a gift, and I get to choose how to spend it.

I don’t turn back again.

Elsie squeezes my hand. “Ready?” she asks me.

“Ready,” I say.

And with my sister by my side, we step through the open doors.

Sand shifts underfoot as Elsie and I emerge onto the shores of the Red Island.

We step from the celestial hills of Elysia into battle, thrust into the fray of our people, struggling against the hordes of Underlings that flood the beaches.

But Elsie and I do not enter this world by ourselves. Two wolves, one black, one white, flank us on either side, teeth bared, fur bristling, and behind them, a unicorn, its coat shimmering like fallen stars. I don’t even have a second to think about Rainai sending them to aid us. A Gore barrels toward Elsie, but she plants her feet, lifts her hands. A blade whizzes through the air, ripped from the grasp of a Shifter just before it could cut down its opponent, and slices the Gore’s gruesome head from its shoulders.

“Go!” Elsie shouts, jerking her chin at the unicorn as the wolves press close to her sides, snarling and snapping their jaws at the Underlings. “Find Morana!”

I hesitate, looking toward the sea, where the true battle is waged. The Red Island’s ships attempt to push back against Morana’s staggering fleet. We’re vastly outnumbered, and Morana’s vessels continue to break through our ranks; jolly boats carrying the Underling horde litter the beaches. I spot the Starchaser as an Underling vessel bearing the flag of the Deathwail makes its approach. If I could reach the harbor, I could commandeer one of the abandoned jolly boats and make my way to the Starchaser to defend my family and friends.

I should go. I should help them. But I’ve just got Elsie back—I don’t want to leave her again.

“Go!” Elsie screams again, skewering the Shifter with its own blade. “Finish this!”