Page 67 of As Above, So Below

Not the hells-twisted demonic version reflecting a soul that’s been beaten, tortured, and manipulated for centuries. I would not have become the shadowed and gnarled essence damned for eternity.

Freeing myself of the silver bloodstain, I retreat from the bathing room and move toward the doors leading to the garden. As I throw open the door, the sounds of the celebration start to reach me. They’re faint, as they’re more toward the sanctum end of the grounds, but the laughter, music, and conversations can be heard.

Stepping into the garden, the trees hinder my view.

Without hurry, I cross the grass, and emerge from under the canopy.

As I lift my face toward the heavens, the hood of my white robes falls back and my hair tumbles free.

The whole of the universe above greets me, and my heart seizes as I stare in complete and consuming awe.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I lost myselfand track of time staring at the night sky.

Nothing else could ever matter as much as this. This amazing, miraculous thing—thisuniverse.

The navy blanket of space lies littered with platinum, gold, and red stars and planets. Swirls of deep purples, magentas, and greens smudge themselves against the blue. Billows of clouds far beyond my reach.

The sight causes my chest to tighten, making it hard to breathe.

Seeing the night sky through the veil couldnevercompare to this.

There, it had been black and gray—much of the actual depth, the actual colors lost.

Here, good gods, here it’s otherworldly.

My love for the night sky had been borne within the veil, but seeing it here, in its true form, I’m left speechless. Consumed by the shimmering stars and low hanging moon, my body forces me to gasp for air.

Countless times I’ve dreamed of standing here, seeing this.

Not once did I believe it would become real.

My vision grows watery and I sink to my knees, staring up.

Blinking through the vision-blurring sting, a hot trail of tears slide down my cheeks. Tears of mourning mixed with tears of astonishment. Everything I’ve endured and everything sacrificed in the end—all for this.

Centuries of my harrowed existence begin to feel lifetimes away. Trembling hands find their way to my face, wiping away the tears that continue to fall in silence.

This is everything I’d yearned for.

And it’s cost me everything I know.

Vaelyn.

Ylara.

The library.

A limitless innate.

And the security of a known devil—traded for an unknown one. For the promise of being in control of my own life, of my own body, of my own decisions.

At least, for a time.

My mind screams with sorrow as my heart thunders in joy. A confusing juxtaposition to find oneself experiencing. A sob rakes through me, squeezing my lungs and I gasp again, but I refuse to take my eyes from the stars. I’ve done the impossible, and this is my reward.

Eventually, I will have to return to Netharis.