AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Moro nods, running his hand through his short silver hair. His dark skin is humming with the power he exerted to break the wall and I’m still in shock he has reserves.
“I did… The memory god is wise. You and Kastian need to see him as well. You may have visions and pieces of who you once were slipping back to you in small waves, but you’ll never fully be your true selves until you regain them.”
I frown and am about to shake my head but Wren cuts in.
“We can chat about memories later. Kastian needs us—Margo, take the Hollows to the grove and keep Marley safe in case anything happens to us.”
He’s right, we need to put an end to Violet’s reign. It’s the last step before I can resurrect everyone. I give Margo a kiss on her forehead and promise to see her soon.
Margo and Brevik lead the Pine Hollows through the forest and we watch until the last tail disappears in the shadows. The wind picks up and goosebumps spread up my arms. I’m not cold, but something about this all being over is surreal.
Months of suffering and losing myself… just to rebuild who I am and what I stand for. I’ve never been more ready to take my place here. To become the Goddess of the Rhythm.
To fix everything.
31
Elodie
The streets are filled with cries and it’s really hard not to stop and make sure everyone is okay, but we have to finish this. I look from side to side as we pass many injured creatures—Moss Sparrows trying to heal wounds on Dreadiuses, Eostrixes flying younger creatures away to safer parts of Nesbrim.
It’s amazing to see them all working together.
We reach the rubble of the castle and find Kastian and Arulius depleted of their auras and now fighting with their bare fists.
A lump gets caught in my throat as I watch them tear at each other, their bloody faces and arms, their wings ruffled and feathers missing. I want them to stop but I know they can’t. We have to find Violet and end her.
“Where the fuck is Violet?” I glance at Rune. It’s been utter chaos since the fighting started but I haven’t seen her anywhere. It’s like she left the city. “Where’s Kol?”
He clenches his jaw and then flinches, eyes widening, as a thought clearly pops into his head. He immediately turns around and draws his aura flames. They blaze hot as he cuts into something invisible behind us.
Oh my fucking gods.
I forgot Kol has invisibility just like Rune.
A horrible, gut-wrenching thought twists through me.How many times has he been watching us under the cover of his invisibility? How long has he been watching… and with who?
No, no, no, no.
“Fuck!” Wren spits as blood gushes from the soldier Rune just slashed into. Their crimson liquid spurts out and coats us all. I summon my aura into my palms and two crimson blades form.
“Rune, you fucking idiot.” Kol’s hot breath curls in the air as he lifts his blanket of magic.
Beneath it is himself, Violet, and Willow. My marrow thickens and I’m trying to stay in the moment rather than letting my mind trickle through every not-private moment they’ve seen us have…
Please, gods… don’t let Violet know what Rune is. If she followed us to Moro’s cottage… If she heard what Moro said about him…
My Dreadius flashes his teeth at his brother as he growls, “You’d let the Rhythm die? For what, brother—for a lost ruler to find her loved one?”
Kol’s eyes widen with disbelief at Rune’s voice. He’s clutching his chest as tears of blood drip from his sharp jaw and onto his wound, healing it almost immediately. “Rune… When did you… You can talk.” Tears brim his black eyes and his stance falters for a moment. Even Violet looks distraught by the sound of my Rune’s perfect voice but she quickly grips her wits again.
“Elodie, this is your last chance. Don’t make me do this,” she hisses at me. I can see the pain tearing her soul apart. She clearly doesn’t want to do whatever it is she’s planning, but her determination to regain Lucius burns hotter. Her fists are shaking and she looks like she’s about to shatter.
She has nothing left. Her court is in ruins and her own guards’ loyalties are constantly in question.
When you’ve given everything, done things that can’t be forgiven, you think there’s no way to go back. Perhaps for her this is true.
I furrow my brows and tighten my jaw. “Violet. I don’t know where or who he is. It’s time to give up. I already destroyed the skull. You're finished.”
