Page 20 of Destined

As the tears began to fall, Kayla leaned over and kissed Tara’s pale cheek. The drops glistened on her sister’s face, and Kayla closed her eyes. This is not how she wanted to remember Tara. But try as she might to call up a happier image, all she could see was that damned lake—and her blood seeping into the ground. She bowed her head and grimaced. Her Cloudstar blood had saved them, as much as her Blackstone blood had doomed her. Kayla sniffed and wiped at her nose. Tara had said it herself.

Too much Dark Fae blood.

Well that wasn’t a worry any more.

Dark Fae blood?

Kayla went still for a moment before her eyes snapped open. She furiously swiped away the tears and stared at Tara’s white face. Could what she be thinking possibly be true? There was only one way to find out.

Kayla put her hand on Tara’s chest.

As expected, the blue glow appeared, but Kayla wasn’t going to give up so easily this time. As with the arrow, she didn’t try to control the healing. Instead she pictured the outcome. In her mind’s eye, Tara’s heart was whole. The damaged muscle knitted together. It became whole and strong, ready and willing to pump blood.

Kayla half-grinned to herself. What blood would it pump?

“Fae blood,” she said out loud.

When Tara had died, she’d nearly bled out, her Fae and Dark Fae blood mingled. Kayla pressed her hand down harder, and saw the blue glow flare. But now it was up to Kayla to heal her, and she knew one thing for certain: her sister would have Fae blood. She saw it so clearly, she had to smile.

The healing light ran like wildfire over Tara’s entire body.

“Yes,” Kayla breathed, putting both hands on her chest. “We are Fae.”

As Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, she concentrated. A sweet memory of Tara filled her vision. She was sewing, and humming that wordless tune their father whistled. Kayla smiled. Now she knew the words. The sweet sound filled her soul. Her mother had sung it to her and Christine. How she wished Tara could have been there to hear it! Kayla nodded to herself. She would hear it now.

No blood stains love’s blade.

No valiant heart shall be ended.

That which was made is unmade.

That which was broken is mended.

Light teased the edges of Kayla’s eyelids. She stopped singing and opened her eyes. Millions of white stars swirled around the room, weaving in and out. They circled and grew denser as they shrank into a glittering ball of blinding brightness. As she squinted the light fell onto Tara, disappearing into her chest—but then her body convulsed.

“Oh, no,” Kayla gasped, as she backed away from the bed in horror. “I didn’t mean–”

She clamped both hands over her own scream.

Blue light raced through the delicate veins under Tara’s ashen skin. Her entire body vibrated with a hum that filled the room. White stars formed on her lashes, and then her blue lips. Streaks of blazing light threaded through her hair, and raced beneath Jannon’s tunic. Her body floated, growing brighter and whiter until Kayla could barely see her.

Ryan, Jannon and Devalan burst into the room just as the light disappeared. Tara fell back to the bed.

For a moment, there was stunned silence, and it seemed no one could move. But Jannon stepped to the bed, only to stumble back—as Tara sat up.

“Blind me,” Devalan muttered.

Tara cocked her head at him, then swung her legs over the side of the bed. She tugged away Jannon’s tunic and stood up, looking down at herself before she met Kayla’s astonished gaze. Gold now glittered in her white-blonde hair, and her eyes had acquired an emerald color.

“I’m alive,” Tara said, touching her own cheek. “How?”

“My niece brought you back to life with a resurrection song,” Devalan said.

“Kayla?” Tara said, reaching out to her.

Kayla wrapped her up in a bear hug, lifting her off the floor. “Tara,” she whispered into her hair.

“All spellsingers can do so,” Devalan continued. “Though it seems that my niece can also purge Dark Fae blood. Very powerful, I must say. I have never heard the like.”