Page 71

Chapter 71

Saelyn

I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND I ONLY KNEW FELGREN

A little girl with long black hair, ocean blue eyes, and a slight splatter of freckles across her nose lay in the roots of Felgren . The warm spring sun shone down through the new leaves on the trees that danced in the breeze. She giggled, roots wrapping over her arms and legs, sinking her further into the earth where she summoned the power to grow the grass and flowers, tall and brilliant in an array of colors which matched the eyes of the Blightress .

“ I am asking you to give this girl a chance to live a life of love with the man who has been a constant at her side. ”

The Blightress watched me as a young child who laughed at the grass that tickled my nose, both of us turning to hear Pah - Pah shouting my name somewhere nearby.

My chin quivered as I continued. I had taken the risk. I had taken the steps forward to change the path of my life, and now I was at the final call, the first moment of my life when it had been the Blightress who spoke my name, weaving her voice with the winds of Felgren . “ Please , ” I begged. “ Please see that my life has been a lonely one. I have been so afraid to lose those I love because I watched my mother struggle with her loss every day of my life. Don’t make me lose him. ” I stepped closer to her side. “ Don’t let history repeat itself. You said you would have given everything for your child. My mother did. She gave everything she had to give me in this life, so let us return and leave us be. Let us mourn my father. Let Thevin and I start a life together and do what we can to heal Arcaynen . ”

She stared down at that little girl hiding from a half-hearted scolding, blending into the roots and soil of the earth to which she belonged. A muscle ticked in her jaw, and I held onto what little hope I had left.

She reached her hand out to me one more time, and I took it.

“ It is my turn to live the life I want. I will not harm your lover, nor your mother, but you, ”—her eyes flashed a flood of colors—“ you will be returning with me where I will give you love. Where I will show you the power you wield is endless. Time loses meaning when you share such power…and time is forgiving. ”

“ No , ” I whimpered, struggling to take my hand from hers.

She squeezed harder, yanking me back to her side, seething through clenched teeth, “ Saelyn . ”