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fifty-five

“ S tay close. Follow my lead,” Rafael said. The Elders struck at those words. Harkin attacked first, creating an avalanche of large stones that rained down on us, causing small fissures in our combined shield. She was strong .

Galen struck at the same time as Radley, both releasing deep crimson hellfire onto us. Faeries began screaming and tripping over themselves as they fled for safety. Some hid behind tables and chairs as they continued watching from a distance.

“Get ready,” Raf whispered to us. “As soon as this wave of fire ends, we’re leaving. Hold onto my back.”

We each placed a hand on him. As the flames receded, Rafael’s form exploded , breaking our shields, filling the room, and scattering the Elders.

I was dangling off the back of a black dragon, gripping a long, curved spike.

Kaya took my other hand and pulled me up as we all scrambled to climb onto him.

His body was so wide that it was difficult to latch on. I held on wherever I could.

I’d never forget the expression on Galen’s face as he realized his little brother had managed to conceal this secret from him for one-hundred years. There was a flash of wonder, before his eyes narrowed into fiery slits.

Rafael gave a blood-curdling screech as he turned his massive head towards the advisors and released violet flame onto them.

Several were too slow to shield and caught fire, screaming as skin melted from their faces, their bodies.

He roared again and it reverberated through me.

He swung his spiked tail towards the Queen, still sitting in her throne .

She threw out vines around his feet and head simultaneously, while her guards sent a typhoon of rain and wind at us, trying to knock us from his back.

Raf whirled towards them, scorching them with dragon fire.

I began to slide off his back and Kaya lunged for me, clutching my dress, and pulling me to her.

The Queen sneered at us, refusing to look bothered, as her shield began to disintegrate under the flames. A few more seconds and his fire would burn through her. Only a lunatic was that fearless.

“Raf, let’s go!” yelled Leon. Rafael snapped back into himself, unfolding his wings as he began flapping, trying to gain air. I pushed wind under his wings and we began to rise. Arrows were flying at us, bouncing off his impenetrable scales and our shields. I kept my body low, holding him tightly.

His back reared up vertically as he lifted higher.

We all hung on, white knuckles gripping.

It felt as if I was dangling off the side of a cliff.

I refused to fall… I refused to go back to Galen.

I just needed to hold on a little longer.

Raf blew another round of fire down at the vines that restrained him as he began to inch higher.

My legs shook as I used all my strength to cling to him.

Even the bravest of observers were running for the door now, creating pandemonium as they all tried to exit at the same time.

Raf smashed his head through the top of the glass dome, causing the chandelier to plummet down on the royal families below.

I watched it crash onto Radley, severing his legs from the rest of his body.

Galen hovered over Isla, protecting her from the impact.

The shards from the window pelted our shields like a hailstorm, and then I was breathing fresh air.

Raf hit a barrier and roared in anger, flapping along the edge of an invisible wall. He blew fire at the wards and they flickered under his power. Leon sent wind blowing at gale speeds as Kaya shot bolts of shadow in wave after wave.

I knew what I need to do, but I couldn’t shift into a unicorn on the back of a dragon. I let the chaos fade as I tried to summon starlight. It came so effortless in my pneuma form— I had to do this .

I released my pent up fury as I sent raw magic towards the spelled wards in a force of power that knocked me backwards.

Kaya caught me as beaming starlight answered my call.

The wards rippled and shuttered before crumbling under light that radiated in bright, pulsing waves.

Sand rained down on the faeries below as Rafael bellowed in triumph and flew us out. Freedom.

We whooped and cheered as we flew to the garden, cold air nipping at my beaming cheeks. The only sound in the silent sky was Raf’s wings pumping up and down—until he let out an ear-splitting roar , alerting Louis we were on our way.

We were so close .

The night wind pulled tears from my eyes as we began to circle and land. The first face I saw was Meli’s. I shook with relief as I jumped from Raf and ran to give her a hug. Hundreds of petrified people crowded against the walls, watching, waiting.

“You made it.” I grinned at Meli and Odin.

“So did you! We brought some friends.”

“Just a few,” I laughed.

“There are more hidden outside of the garden. We’ll bring them through once the portal is open.”

I hugged Rafael who had shifted back into his Fae form. “You were incredible… Thank you,” I whispered.

He cradled my head against his chest, murmuring into my hair, “Let’s go home.” We held hands as we walked to the wall in a full circle moment. I gave him one last smile as I shifted into a unicorn.

The glow from my horn shimmered across the garden.

The warm light washed over clumps of fuchsia snapdragons, white lilies, and goldenrod.

Fireflies bumbled through the air, twinkling against the shadows of night.

The smell of jasmine brought me back to the night I’d come here with Raf.

He was the first one I’d ever shared it with and it felt fitting that we should be here together now, in this moment.

I looked upon countless bewildered faces, all staring at me. Louis covered his mouth in shock. Meli beamed at me with pride, while Odin wrapped himself protectively around her. Raf rested his hand on my shoulder and said, “You’ve got this, world walker.”

I bobbed my head at him and then stared at the wall. After months of wondering if I’d ever get the chance to go home, the only obstacle that remained was me . There was no one to hide behind and nowhere to run. If I didn’t open this portal, then no one would.

Why had this task fallen on my shoulders? Why had I, out of everyone, been given the gifts of a unicorn? And how had I even arrived here in the first place? I could stand here, forming new questions and never finding answers, or I could simply try and see where it led.

I sauntered over to the wall, running my opal horn along jagged stone.

“Take me home,” I said, willing my magic to transform a wall into a door—a door that would lead to a new world .

A seed of light appeared in a small pocket of stone.

It grew as I concentrated on Erador and the people waiting for me on the other side.

I closed my eyes, visualizing the towering castle, the rolling green grass, the manicured gardens.

The secret hideout that sheltered me as I grieved my mother, the aunt who loved me like her own, the horse that taught me how to fly, and the stable hand who’d given me endless patience.

The Lady’s maid who taught me humility and the best friend who never laughed at my dreams, but instead dared to dream with me.

When I opened my eyes, the groove had grown into a golden, luminescent door. It flickered and faded, but I knew what I needed to do. I had to channel everything I had to give. I had to transform darkness into light.

I willed more magic into the wall, letting myself feel the rage, grief, lust, joy, loneliness, fear, love, and loss that I’d experienced since arriving here.

This world had destroyed me. This world had forged me into something new.

Raw power flowed from me as my horn siphoned energy from the air, from the earth.

The ground vibrated and stone walls tremored as the door demanded more .

Rafael sounded far away as he shouted, telling people to close their eyes as my magic lit up the garden, the forest, the sky.

I was panting as I opened my eyes and saw a translucent golden doorway. I could see the garden waiting for me on the other side. Erador . I pushed my nose through the shimmering veil that separated the two worlds, smelling crisp, cool Aurelian air on the other side.

I’d done it.

People cheered as I reared up in triumph, shifting back. I studied the arched door more closely, noticing scribbles of Ancient Fae etched along the frame. A six-pointed star sat atop the door frame like a crown. “What does it say?” I asked Raf.

He squatted in front of the portal, quickly running his fingers along each word.

“I don’t think we have time to translate it all right now, but it looks like instructions… a guide of some sort. Maybe this is what the last world walker used to find Nymera. ”

I nodded, knowing every minute counted. “Let’s start moving people through.”

Rafael immediately began to delegate. “Form a steady line. We need to be quick. Louis, I want you and your men on the other side, helping people through and keeping them organized. Marigold and I will come through last.”

The doorway was only wide enough to fit a few people through at a time. A long line switched back on itself before spilling outside of the garden gates. My heart was pounding; this was taking too long. How fast could Galen get here in his lion form? We needed to hurry .

“Quickly, everyone,” Meli shouted as people brought through horses, small carts, and personal items.

With just a trickle of people left in line, my worst fear was realized as I heard Galen’s voice.

“You thought you could just leave us behind? Some savior you are.” He prowled towards us as his mother followed behind him, guards flanking them.

His shadow wielder was also present. My lips curled into a snarl, noting the jasper chain he held.

“We should’ve gotten here faster, but your garden proved difficult to find—and I see that you’re stealing magic on your way out.” He clicked his tongue as he watched people run through the portal. “After all I’ve done for you…”

“You mean saving humans? Let us be, Galen. You know what their fate is if they stay here. I refuse to believe you want innocent blood on your hands. I saw how tortured you were after you were forced to kill. This is your chance for redemption,” I reasoned, taking a step towards him to protect Meli and the others behind me.

“Sweet Marigold… worried about my soul, even after what you’ve seen me capable of.

The problem is, love… the Elders will win.

They have Erebus , which means the only feasible option is to join them.

It will be better for my people when they don’t have to rely on humans.

We’ve found a way to take back what is ours.

And now I’ll take back what is mine. ” His temper flared and flames erupted.

Raf and I shielded on instinct, but Galen’s shadow-wielder had gone for Meli. She was in Galen’s arms with flame licking at her neck in seconds.

“Now we shall see just how righteous you really are. Will you trade yourself to save your friend?” His eyes were so cruel, so different than the one that had once looked at me with reverence and affection. I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped when I saw Odin running for Meli.

“No,” I gasped, reaching out my hands in a desperate bid to stop him, but the Queen was too quick. She wrapped Odin in her vines and pulled him to her with the flick of her wrist. She held him by his throat as Meli screamed.

“Stop,” I cried. “I’ll go with you. Please, let them go.”

Rafael’s head was swiveling between me, Odin, and Meli. “Don’t,” Rafael said firmly, putting a shield between me and them.

Sylvia put her red lips to Odin’s neck. “You have one more second before I drain him.”

Meli was screaming, sobbing as Odin rasped, “Don’t let them win. I love you, Meli.”

“One,” Sylvia said, rolling her eyes, before biting him. Meli’s agonized sobs pierced my ears—I couldn’t think, couldn’t act.

My heart was pounding throughout my whole body and there were too many things happening at once.

“Take me! Take me,” I choked. “Don’t hurt anyone else.”

“No,” Rafael said, but I blocked him with a shield and ran to Galen. The terror in his eye felt like an arrow through the heart.

Galen pulled me towards him with bruising force and tossed Meli to the side. He held me by the nape of my neck, fisting clumps of curls. I stifled a cry as he wrapped a jasper chain around my neck. “I dare you to move,” he murmured into my ear. I trembled as my magic sputtered out.

“Let him go,” I snapped at the Queen. “I’ve cooperated.”

Sylvia pulled away from Odin, her teeth stained red. “I don’t think I will. His existence is an insult to the gods. I can taste it in his blood—they’re blood-bonded.” She pointed to Meli with a menacing finger. “She’s given this human gifts meant only for faeries.”

Rafael attacked, but she dodged him with surprising speed, still holding Odin by the neck. He was nearly unconscious now.

“Just for that… Give him the true death, Galen. He’s nearly drained and has fulfilled his pathetic purpose,” Sylvia sneered.

I clawed at Galen, struggling against the chain, as he jerked me back.

“Please, no! No, no, no,” Meli howled in haunting repetition, gripping her belly and falling to her knees .

“Galen. I beg you. Let him go. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll marry you, ” I pleaded. Meli was bowing, begging for mercy.

The Queen snapped Odin’s neck in one quick motion and threw him to Galen’s feet. To my feet. I turned away, nearly vomiting. Galen hesitated and I whimpered, pleading to him.

Rafael struck for Galen, appearing inside his shield. At the same time, Galen released a stream of fire onto Odin as Meli dove forward.

“Meli,” I cried. Raf changed course, shadowing to Meli and knocking her out of the way.

My teeth chattered as Meli’s tortured wailing filled the air. Odin’s body was no longer there. All that remained was a pile of ash. It had only taken seconds to disintegrate his body and Meli had barely escaped with her life.

Kaya and Leon were hurrying the last of the people through on Raf’s orders. Wordlessly, Kaya shadowed to Meli, and then to the wall. She ran Meli through the portal before Sylvia could strike. And then Rafael was behind the Queen, holding a knife to her throat.