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“Brynlynn Stewart, Princess of our realm, has returned home.” Two’s voice was soft and melodic, with a powerful pulse underlying her tone that echoed after every word. “And has summoned me to bestow her powers back to her.”

I couldn’t see her mouth, but I imagined she was smiling, pleased that I’d sought her out.

I cleared my throat, gathering courage. “Yes, I’ve come to ask you for a second chance. For a chance to . . .” I stopped. What had been the driving force that led me to this moment?

The Decodons, partially. I did wish to avenge the lives of my loved ones. But deep in my heart I knew the other selfish reason I stood before her.

I was in love.

With not one, but two men, who waited for me to return to them.

I knew Two would see through a lie if I told one, so I responded honestly. “I’ve come to ask for the chance to find happiness.”

The apparition drifted closer to me so she could circle me. “You’ve shown that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for the good of others . . .”

Trial One.

I would always sacrifice myself if it meant keeping others safe.

“. . . but you hesitated to set aside your feelings when it meant the most.” She stopped in front of me, only mere feet between us now.

Trial Two.

I had almost failed.

“I did.” I nodded. “But it won’t happen again. I’ll always do what needs to be done.” It felt like my soul was dying. “For mankind.”

The halo of light that formed her head bobbed as I acknowledged my shortcoming.

She knew I spoke the truth. I wouldn’t hesitate next time.

With a flash of light, her hand rested on my chest, her power holding me in place. “The Nine have sent you here so I can be either your savior or executioner.” She sounded somewhat put off, like the task was insulting to her. “They want to know if I find you valuable enough to grant you clemency for defying their laws that maintain peace and accord.”

Removing her hand, she bowed her head ever so slightly to me, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Like before, I find your intentions pure, Brynlynn of Two. And I find you to be a great asset against the war that threatens to darken my lands and the lands of my sisters.” She turned her head, checking behind her, before turning back to face me. “It is why you were chosen for more than just day-wielding.” This close to me, I could feel her heart beating as she said hurriedly, “You are the answer to ending the darkness.”

I felt the sensation of my magic flowing through me. Warmth with a slight roughness, unlike anything I’d ever felt. If I didn’t feel it so vividly, I wouldn’t believe it was true.

I felt her smile again, reaching her hands out to me. Her voice returned to its original volume. “You must go soon. Too long in here and your mind will be lost forever. But there is one more thing we must do.”

I lifted both my hands, meeting hers, expecting to feel the sensation of light on phantom limbs, but I was surprised to find her grip strong, like she was truly holding my hands.

“This might hurt,” she added—my only warning before my mind was set on fire and I dropped to my knees.

I tried to rip my hands from hers, but she wouldn’t let go. The pain like one thousand migraines of blinding intensity pelting into my brain, eating away at it slowly, the feeling of my scalp being peeled back from my skull beneath, breaking me.

I wasn’t sure when I passed out, but when I came to, I was back in the center of the rock formation, lying on the soft grass, as if I’d stopped to take a nap, somehow making it back to the real world, only subtle hints of a headache left behind from what I’d endured.

The sun was beginning to set in the west. Marking almost a full day I’d been in Delirium.

But instead of feeling exhausted, I felt powerful. A slight hum singing to me in my ears, reminding me of what I now harnessed within.

I had survived, with the full strength of my power restored.

More than that, Two had gifted me knowledge, giving me back my memories from my life before.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

LEO