*Zara*
Noah stared at in absolute horror as I placed Briella in his strong arms. He imdiately understood my intentions. I could see the fear and helplessness in his eyes as he held Briella close.
I turned away from him before he could protest, knowing that as badly as he wanted to protect , he knew he couldn’t put Briella in danger. He needed to stay with her, and he knew it.
My eyes narrowed. Although I felt fear rush through as I watched Malphas easily overpower the light priestesses, I felt more determination than anything else.
I was done running. I was done cowering. I had to do so in this forsaken castle for Briella’s sake. Now that the demon was threatening my mother’s people, I knew I had to step up.
It’s what my mother would have done.
It’s what I knew now that I was always destined to do.
“Stop.”
The simple word was firm, and I didn’t have to shout it for Malphas to hear it. As if I had flipped a switch, the swirling shadows fell away. The remaining light priestesses dragged away their wounded, retreating to safety against a nearby wall.
Malphas’ black, soulless eyes focused on . He grinned, baring his sharp white teeth. “Are you ready to return to , my bride?”
I didn’t answer. I continued to stalk forward until I was just a few feet away from the demon. I could feel Noah’s anxious eyes on my back as I faced my captor.
“Let’s finish what you and my mother started,” I said, tightening every muscle in my body as I prepared to unleash whatever I had been holding back. I prayed that I was correct about my hidden powers. Every day, I ditated, feeling it slowly build up and fester.
It was ti, and I was more than ready.
Malphas narrowed his eyes at as he digested the aning behind my words. “You don’t want to challenge , my dear.”
I lifted my chin, staring right into his terrifying endless eyes. For the first ti, I wasn’t afraid of him.
“I think I do,” I said. I felt my body sizzle with an energy that had been begging to be unleashed ever since I arrived in Embervale. I wondered idly if it was because a part of knew I was in my true ho realm.
Malphas paused, obviously sensing the change in , the threatening aura that I was suddenly putting out. I could see his jaw clench as if he truly believed I was just his disobedient wife. “I don’t want to have to kill you,” he said, giving one last chance to bend to his will.
I smirked. “Don’t worry, you won’t.”
I released everything at that mont, my fear and worry for Noah, my grief for the mother that I had never known, for all that Malphas put my family through.
And I gave it back tenfold.
I couldn’t say for certain what happened. I was blinded by the light that burst from my body, the celestial energy consuming Malphas like a hot white fla.
Malphas roared as he t my energy with his shadowy blasts, the darkness threatening to consu my light. I let my love for my family drive the power, taking a deep satisfaction when I heard Malphas’ voice rise with shocked pain.
That’s when I felt it. The light inside lted away, revealing a dark, sinister energy that I was horrified to discover had been there the whole ti. It had hidden from as I did my ditations at night while held as Malphas’ prisoner.
But it was too late. I felt the darkness wrap around my heart like a second skin, sealing it into place. I thought I was fighting with light against Malphas’ darkness. Turns out, I was trying to fight darkness with darkness. I shuddered, feeling as if a black void had replaced the purity that once shone brightly within .
Before I knew what had happened, we were running from the palace that was quickly collapsing behind us. Noah’s hand was tight around mine as he pulled along. Briella was cradled in his other arm.
The light priestesses cheered as we ca into view. With them was Caleb and the other warriors. I felt relief wash over as I recognized many of the Drogomor mbers. Niva was with them as well, and I hugged her fiercely.
“Co, we will escort you to Celestial Valley,” said one of the priestesses. “It would be our honor if you rested there for a while, daughter of Amara.”
I looked at Noah, who nodded encouragingly. I felt emotional as I accepted the offer, overjoyed at the opportunity to visit the beautiful land where my mother was from.
The journey there was long but more than worth it. Celestial Valley was gorgeous with vibrant skies that looked straight out of a painting and gold fixtures and marble pathways that glittered.
“Welco, daughter of Amara,” said a man with snowy white hair and a warm smile. “I am Mathias, head priest. Your mother would be so proud of your bravery and tenacity.”
I ducked my head respectfully. “Zara,” I told him shyly, feeling heat creep up my neck. All the priests and priestesses were looking at as if I was so kind of deity.
Mathias nodded. “Zara,” he repeated. He grasped my hands before turning to the rest of the priestesses who had gathered to greet us. “We will have a grand feast to welco our honored guest, daughter of Amara, hero and slayer of the demon sorcerer, Malphas.”
I sighed but shook my head inwardly in amusent. It looked like I had gained many nas and had lost my own. I found I couldn’t be upset as I stood where my mother once was, the golden light covering like a blanket.
As promised, the feast was grand and took place in a gorgeous ballroom space with crystal chandeliers and long, shiny wooden tables. Noah and I sat at the head of the table, surrounded by the priestesses, who took turns looking at as if I had lived there all my life and was their golden child.
I knew that they were looking at and seeing my mother. They were viewing my presence as the return of Amara in a way. They seed to get great comfort from it, causing them to rejoice.
The party was elaborate but also warm. Despite all the gorgeous fixtures and decor, these people were humble and wanted to live simply while still giving honor to the Moon Goddess and giving thanks for their celestial powers.
“I am so grateful to be among you all,” I said in the middle of the celebration, causing the whole huge room to fall silent. I flushed slightly as everyone turned to look at with elated excitent and anticipation. “I know my mother is smiling down on all of us right now. She would be thrilled to see the kindness and hospitality of her people.
“I’ve been connecting with my mother through newly awakened mories and knowledge,” I went on, feeling a little less shy. “Many of these co to through visions and dreams. I’ve been ditating earnestly to retrieve these spiritual gifts.”
Noah looked at warmly, and my heart lurched in an uncomfortable, empty way.
I took a deep breath and kept going, focusing on the warm connection I had with my mother that I had only recently discovered and hoped to never lose. “She has shared with so of her spiritual heritage, which she hopes I can share with all of you. She has shared spells and other magical practices that I think will serve you all well and bless Celestial Valley.”
I was stunned as many of the priestesses began to weep with joy at the news that they would regain what they believed to be lost centuries earlier. I suddenly wished that I had grown up alongside them so that I could appreciate this news just as much as they did.
Mathias stood from his chair and gestured for to follow him to a nearby altar. “Given the good news, I feel that this must be done,” he said, looking at warmly.
I didn’t know what was about to happen, but I knew I had to go along with it for myself and my mother. Whatever this was felt like it would be huge and intertwined with my destiny.
Mathias had stand on a raised platform in front of a grand altar. He lifted his hand, and a satchel made of golden curly cues materialized in his hands.
“I would like to officially anoint Zara, daughter of Priestess Amara, as our resurrected priestess. Should you accept, you will lead ceremonies and continue to pass on sacred traditions to our future generations.”
I sucked in a breath, my eyes rounding as I stared at my celestial family. Tears filled my eyes. I knew that there was only one answer. “I accept.”
It was the best party I had ever been to, yet I found that I just couldn’t enjoy myself even though I was the guest of honor. I was a hero and finally able to see the wondrous place that my mother was from. I should have been over the moon. I was finally getting everything I wanted. My family was safe from Malphas.
Malphas...
He was the reason that I was feeling this way. Even after having defeated him, he was haunting . Taking him down had co with a steep price—the innocence I had worked so hard to protect.
I was the child of a celestial leader, a child of light. I had always carried that inside of , and now it was shrouded in darkness. I felt impure and empty.
Worst of all, the intuitive mate bond I shared with Noah seed muted sohow, as if it too was clouded and surrounded by impurities that masked it. I wondered if it might have been completely gone, and I was just sensing a re echo of what had been.
Noah noticed that sothing was wrong, as I feared he would. He grabbed my hand and helped to my feet. “Let’s retire for the night, love. You don’t look well and must be exhausted after everything that has happened.”
I nodded, feeling drained and a little depressed as I tried to co to terms with everything. We picked up Briella out of the high chair beside us and announced we would be retiring to the lavish guest house where we were staying.
Briella had fallen asleep in Noah’s arms before we even stepped inside the little house. Noah kissed our daughter’s forehead lovingly before setting her in the little bassinet we were provided.
I sucked in a breath when Noah turned to face , his dark blue eyes cautious but loving. He reached out to and gathered in his arms, holding close to his chest. His nose found my hair, and he inhaled deeply.
“You have no idea how good it feels to finally be reunited with you,” he murmured.
Tears pricked my eyes. I realized that just a few months earlier this would have been more than welco. I would have lted in his strong embrace, getting lost in the re essence of this man.
I now felt empty and realized that our bond had been weakened imnsely, just as I’d feared. There was also another important matter that needed to be discussed.
I stepped out of Noah’s hold.
“Zara?” Noah asked, his expression hurt and confused as I shied away from him.
“I’m sorry, Noah,” I said sadly. It felt awful to reject his advances, but I felt I had no choice. “We need to talk.”
Noah’s lips tightened at the serious tone I took up.
I drew in a deep breath, steeling myself. “I still care about you deeply,” I said, “and Briella too, of course, but things have changed. My newly awakened heritage and power dictate that I must stay and guide my rediscovered people.”
Noah just stared at , seeming at a loss for words. “What are you saying?” he finally asked.
I held his gaze. “Briella and I both belong here in Celestial Valley. We can’t go back to Drogomor with you.”
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