Page 34 of Gift from the Source (Source of Elementra #5)

Twenty-Nine

Willow

Hey there, my little dragonfly.

A tiny laugh whooshes out of me and my feet quit kicking the water in the pool as her new words spread across the pages.

“Hey, Momma.”

It’s been a few weeks since I opened her book.

After everything happened, I waited until the next day to open it and see if the rest of her words had appeared.

They had.

They changed my perspective on everything.

The ink started off with, If you’re reading this, Willow, that means you’ve done it. You can have the life you’ve always deserved now, baby girl.

I had to stop there and cry for a good, hell, I don’t even know how long. Long enough the guys finally decided to take me from my foyer and hold me in bed while I finished reading.

I gained enough composure to unlock the spell that gave me my communal knowledge and all that it means to be a Source imprinted on my mind. If I had known then what followed would be the most gut-wrenching and heartfelt goodbye I’d ever read, I wouldn’t have read her note from there .

Today, we get a new hello, though.

My blood began changing as I read over the words. Little sparks of knowledge of things I needed to do started flaring to life. It all came as naturally to me as breathing.

It wasn’t only the sacrifices of what the women before me did that changed how I viewed taking on yet another responsibility.

The good they did and the lives they led despite always having someone after them reshaped not only this realm but beings in others.

They were incredible.

They didn’t run off to the other realms and jump into wars like I’d put in my mind when Elementra said she threatened the other creators with her watchers and that they’d keep them in line.

Instead, they sought those who needed them the most. Their blood would sing when someone who was lost and broken entered our realm. They’d find them a home, a purpose, and a place to be.

They nourished this land and didn’t let any area go without.

Their Nexuses were strong. Not just in power but the unwavering love and devotion shared between them was indestructible. They passed it down for generations to come.

Before they truly had to go into hiding, the five territories were as close and unified as ever. It was only once the first daughter was killed that the others pulled back, and everything began changing.

The elitism started and it never ended as the lines began to dwindle down.

It’s going to change now.

Yes, there were times they had to go to other realms and interfere, but they didn’t make themselves known.

Much like what my mom did when she went to Mystara Hollow, they’d do something that would start a domino effect.

They left silent marks.

I don’t believe my mark will be silent.

There’s an inkling in my blood that many are already aware of the changes that are happening in Elementra .

Essemist Keep is most certainly aware. The Gods are as well now that they’re trapped.

When we went back to the nonmagical realm a week ago and I unlocked all the portals, except for the Valorian Veils, there was a shift in the ties. Like the power was more conscious of me now.

I hope they are.

I hope they think twice before attempting to cast Elementra out again.

“Did you get your new present today?” CC’s voice sounds, causing me to close my eyes and smile.

“I did. I’m about to read it now.”

“Finally. Your mother has not shut up about it. She’s going to drive me mad.”

I chuckle and stir the pot. “Can you blame her? Elementra granting my request for you first was a surprise, so it was obviously a simpler process than hers.”

He scoffs. “It was not simple.”

“Really? Then tell me how she did it.”

“Nice try, missy. That is a secret that will stay in the beyond and be taken care of. I’m sure your mother will tell you some things she shouldn’t.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine then. Tell her I’m about to read it now and I love you both.”

“We love you too, filia mea.”

My eyes find the ink again and they fill with tears. I was getting worried I had asked too much or maybe whatever I had done trying to reach Corentin had damaged the beyond in a way Elementra couldn’t work out.

Me hearing CC’s voice has gradually increased since the initial request. It’s daily now. I don’t have control over it, though. I’ve tried reaching out to him first, but I don’t get a response. He has to be the one initiating it.

Communication from Mom, though, was still absent.

Until now. Her book glowed this morning and I knew a new message was coming. I’ve just had to wait it out.

I can’t even begin to describe how thrilled I am about this.

If you only knew, sweet girl, how this is possible, you’d faint.

I wish I could tell you .

Starting right off the bat with a teaser, Mom. Thanks.

I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I’m going to anyways. I’d say don’t tell anyone you heard it from me, but it’ll be a little obvious.

I did tell Elementra and CC I thought you should at least know what we’re doing from this side, if not exactly how. So they’ve had enough warning. As long as it doesn’t change any of your paths, it’ll be fine.

I throw my head back laughing.

It doesn’t take long for it to roll into a slow, tearful chuckle.

The way the two of them know each other so well.

I can’t help but wish they both were here. That way, she and I would be able to gang up on him like this for real. Not to mention her Nexus would be here as well.

I’d have more dads than I’d know what to do with and there’s no doubt in my mind the two of us would’ve been spoiled silly.

The day Elementra presented our energies to you, when she returned to the beyond, she told CC and me what your request was and some things she needed to figure out to make it possible.

It wasn’t too long after, she presented him with a necklace that matches your own. Your energy pours off it. It directly connects to the bond shared between the two of you.

He grips it when he wants to speak to you.

I’ve hounded him about not invading your mind nonstop. A girl needs a little space from her father.

Apparently, though, his stone knows when you’re free, and just like you were hearing him before, his presence will still come to you in times of need.

I was presented with a book. Only yesterday.

It’s…I’m not going to be able to go into any detail about how I’m communicating other than I write in my book and the words will show in yours.

We, unfortunately, didn’t have a bond such as you and CC as you know.

His connection to you has always been established and so it was easier for Elementra to weave the changes needed for him to communicate with you.

The way we talk will be just one-way. You’ll only receive my words.

Don’t let that upset you, though.

I plan on taking full advantage of him being able to talk with you .

But what I write for you here…will be just for you.

And a message here or there for your brother if you’re okay with that.

I’m very much okay with that. I plan on sharing all of this with him. As long as she doesn’t say anything that could affect his path or anything too personal, I want him to experience every moment of this with me.

I don’t want to ramble on and on in my first letter to you. We have so much we can talk about now, but I don’t want to overwhelm you.

You’ve been through enough, baby girl, and it’s time you relax.

When I first returned from the nonmagical realm and bonded with my Nexus, we did absolutely whatever we wanted for weeks.

We built our cabin, planted my garden, explored the warded woods. We spent so much time together, it almost felt like there was no before them.

I want that for you.

I want you to be so swept away by love and so cherished that the before becomes just that. Before.

The after, I want you to fully embrace, enjoy, and make the most of.

I know our situations are different. I didn’t have to worry about ruling a realm one day. I was the only Source for a short time, but my responsibilities and duties were limited.

Nothing like yours will be.

It’ll all be worth it, though.

Watching life bloom before you in any form is an experience I hope you find wonder in every time it happens.

You are going to have a long, long, fulfilling life, Willow.

I’m so incredibly proud of the woman you are and the one you will continue to shape out to be.

You survived the worst of the worst. And you will thrive the most.

It’s time to spread your wings and soar.

I love you with all my heart, my little dragonfly.

We’ll talk really soon.

Momma xoxo.

I shut my eyes along with the cover of her book and I tilt my head back to the sun. Both the rays and her words sink into my skin and warm me from the inside out. My shadows carry my book away for me and I bathe in the glorious feeling of just…being.

Her first letter to me was exactly what I needed.

Not too much. Just enough.

Anything groundbreaking probably would’ve broken me.

I have a feeling she knew that as well. I’m sure she can imagine, if CC hasn’t told her, life has been nonstop over the last few months.

From sunup to sundown, we’ve worked.

The ‘after’ entails so much more than all of us cheering, celebrating, and remembering. The entire realm felt this shift in energy.

It’s been on us, the Ruling Nexus, and the rest of our family to pick up the pieces left scattered about because of the Mastery’s downfall.

Their claws were dug in everywhere.

It wasn’t just the followers they accumulated over the years that left damage in their wake. There were families still begging for help and searching for their loved ones who were somewhere being held hostage.

In the end, the information left for us from Pran, Dillon, and Maxima was invaluable.

Tillman has worked nonstop bringing them all home and cleaning their minds up as much as he could. It’s a devastating task to do and I’ve been by his side every step of the way.

The list upon list of members in the Mastery had to be sorted through. Family lines and names had to be recorded for the crimes they’d committed. A task Caspian took great pleasure in.

Corentin also enjoyed sending decrees smearing the names of all the high-ranking families that betrayed us. He’s keen on getting his point across one way or another without saying it out loud, he does not want an elite family on the council.

The actual number of casualties that day, from both sides, is heartbreaking to think about. I’ve wondered a couple times if the people who wore the mark truly knew they were signing their souls and lives away.

There’s no doubt in any of our minds, out there are young followers who were still in the recruitment phase who hadn’t been marked. They have no leader to guide them, so their only option is to give themselves up or attempt to blend back in with society.

Either way, there isn’t enough of them to disrupt our new peace.

The new ways of life that are flourishing in Elementra.

With my Nexus and me at the front of it.

“Coming in hot, little wanderer,” Draken shouts as he jumps over my head and cannonballs into the pool.

I squeal as the water drenches my summer-kissed skin and it isn’t two seconds later that three more bodies follow him over.

Spring quickly rolled into hotter and longer days. The amount of time we’ve spent traveling around the realm has given me a glow I’ve never had before.

Today is our first day of what Corentin calls our ‘mini’ vacation. I declared I wanted to spend it lying out by the pool and working out this tan line.

There’s nowhere else in the realm I’d rather do it than at the mansion that welcomed me the day I arrived.

My giggling turns into a shriek as water surrounds me and pulls me over the edge. I’m dragged through the surface of the water and just before Cas has me pinned against his body, Draken snags me into his arms.

He turns me and pins me against my dark protector’s chest.

“What did Momma Iris have to say?”

I tell them the condensed version of what all she informed me and the happiness for me in their bonds has my chest expanding.

“She said it’s time I spread my wings and soar.”

His smile lights up his face. “And soar you will, little wanderer. We’ll be right there with you.”

My other two men crowd in close to us and the feeling of all four of their hands on me has me liquefying like the water we’re standing in.

“What would you like to do with your first flight, princess?” Corentin asks as he turns my face to his.

I get lost in those amber eyes.

My breathing hitches. “Whatever you all want to do. ”

Gentle fingers run down the back of my neck until they lightly pull on the strings holding my bathing suit together. “This is the first day of our forever, little warrior. How would you like to spend it?”

I shudder at the deep, sultry tone in Tillman’s voice.

“Wrapped in the arms of my forevers. I just want to spend my time with the four of you.”

Chilled fingers trail down my spine and my body naturally pushes back into the one pressing against me.

“Sweet, sweet little Primary. We’ll hold your mind, body, heart, and soul in our arms forever. We are your home, and you are our beyond.”

Their lips find me all at once.

I savor every second of the bliss they bring me.

It wasn’t too long ago in my life that this feeling was foreign. I was a prisoner in my own home. Alone in a cage meant to clip any wings I thought of spreading. I was brought into this realm a shell of who I was meant to be.

I’ll never experience that again.

I’m right where I belong.

Right back at the mansion where my eyes first saw the embodiments of my soul.

The time before them already seems like something I fabricated in my mind.

Our journey is truly only beginning.