Page 33

Isle of Grace

Grace

“This can’t be possible. I saw my brother die.” Disbelief coats my voice.

I think back to what happened that hot afternoon. The pale guards had ambushed us, and Evie was in the front. She bought us time by sacrificing herself. It is possible Evie could have survived their attack. She is Fae; she could have healed over time, but Fallon is human. I saw the guard run a sword through his body. I saw the blood pour from his stomach as he laid lifeless on the red dirt road.

“Grace, he is not here,” Ro tells me, squeezing my hands and looking into my eyes.

“Can you look again?” Maybe his soul is lost. He didn’t have anyone to help him cross. He could be stuck somewhere.

Ro gives me a small smile. “I suppose I can take you to the Well of Souls.”

“What is the Well of Souls?” I question him, hopeful.

A knock raps at the door. It opens slightly, and Tai’s head peeks in. “The Well of Souls is where Ro goes to sentence souls to their realms,” he mumbles, his head peeking around his room, searching.

“The souls all convene there at some point for their sentencing, but I can call a soul to the Well from any point in their afterlife,” Ro explains to me.

Tai carefully steps through the door, inspecting us. His amber eyes catch something on the floor, and he frowns in disgust. “Come on, brother, on my bed?” Tai sighs loudly.

I look by my feet and see Ro’s pearly seed on the floor from when it dripped out of me. Oh my Gods, I feel my face get hot and bury it in my hands. Ro chuckles beside me, and I look up at him, embarrassment washing over me.

Ro rubs the back of his neck nervously, a shy boyish smile on his face. “Sorry, Tai, things got a little carried away,” he admits sheepishly.

Tai smirks at Ro and moves his attention to the bite mark on my neck. “So, you guys finally figured it out, huh?”

Ro narrows his eyes for a moment, confused, before they quickly open wide. “You asshole, you knew we were mates? You did not think to tell us?” he exclaims, frustrated.

Tai chuckles. “Brother, you wouldn’t have accepted it; you hated the girl. You needed to figure it out on your own.” He walks up to Ro and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Pearl and I were the same way in the beginning. We weren’t just magically in love, we fought about everything . It wasn’t until we took our shit into the sparring ring that the fighting turned into something else.”

Tai’s attention turns to me. “Speaking of sparring, I’ll tell Pearl you’re going to be out today.” He winks at me and turns to walk out the door. “That mess better be gone when I come back,” he yells, slamming the door behind him.

Ro flies us through the icy sky, holding onto me tightly. Wind billows erratically, singing in my ears and stirring clouds of white snow into the air. I snuggle into his neck, trying to keep my face warm in the biting snow. I inhale his smoky scent and give him a little nibble on his throat. He groans, tightening his grip on me, and starts pumping his wings faster through the blazing storm.

He takes us around the Infernal Mountains and lands by the side of the Tyrn. Bonum and Malus empty their souls into the glowing lake beside us. Ro sets us down gently on the pillows of snow.

“Let’s get you inside, this storm is getting bad,” Ro yells over the whistling wind. He grabs my hand, and I follow him, keeping my head down and watching his footsteps. He walks along the bright glowing lakeside, our feet silent in the storm as they push straight through the fresh mounds of snow.

Ro escorts me into a secret turn of the mountain. What looks to be only a mountain face turns into a corridor when seen at the right angle. The snowy ground turns into a stone stairwell. Once inside, the wind’s screams are muted, and I can hear our footsteps echo into the rounded stairway. The white light from outside dims as we descend, replaced by a faint blue glow at the bottom of the stairs. The cold air turns warm, and the stones on the walls are slick from moisture.

We descend through the final steps, walking into a spacious, eerie room. Open archways and columns stand tall in front of walls of impenetrable mist. The ground around the arches is covered in lively green moss, wrapping itself up the columns. While over us, long vines and massive roots hang down from the broken ceiling. The blue glow emanates from the body of water before us, taking up the floor of the room.

“This is the Well of Souls,” Ro echoes into the room.

I would think a humid place like this would smell damp of mold or old water, but the scent reminds me of a luxury vanilla from the baker’s stall in Mennola. I inhale the strange, sweet smell as I eye the mist warily .

I stare into the faint dusty glow of the mist beyond a massive crumbling arch. I grab onto Ro’s thick arm. “Are we going in there?” I ask.

“Yes,” he answers simply.

Everything in my body is telling me not to; it wants me to turn back. My hair is standing up on the back of my neck, and I have goosebumps, even though it’s warm in here. My soul doesn’t want to be here. This place is for the dead, not the living. But I need to do this. I need to know if Fallon is here. I need to know if he’s alive.

I look up to Ro and see he is watching me. “I can look on my own, Grace,” he whispers to me, bringing the back of his finger to caress my cheek.

I breathe deeply. “No, I need to come.” I need to find my brother.

Ro stares at me for a while before nodding, escorting us toward the archway. We walk across the water as if it were solid ground, slight ripples emanating from our boot steps. I stare into the blue glow, its light casting shadows across my face.

We come to the entrance of the ancient archway. There is a slight incline of the moss-covered ground that I didn’t notice before. It leads directly into the soft barricade. Ro pauses us before going in to look me over one last time. He takes my hand in a strong grip and walks us into the fog confidently. The air changes instantly, a cool breeze graces my body. He continues to guide us forward through the misty barricade, the icy air leaving tiny kisses across my skin.

Ro drops my hand and instead grabs hold of my arm in a tight grip. “Do not leave me, little one. If you wander without me, you will be lost to the Well forever.” His deep voice echoes into the white expanse.

I love that he decided to keep that interesting bit of information to himself. He couldn’t have told me before I was already in the mist?

Ro guides me in farther. I look behind us to see the mist has closed its walls on us. A knot forms in my throat at the thought of getting lost in here. My soul would be gone to wander, lost forever in this dense coldness. I scoot closer to Ro, looking around nervously to the expanse of nothingness.

Ro stops us, looking down to examine me. “Are you ready?”

“What is going to happen?” I ask him.

“We are going to cross through the Isles to call upon your brother’s soul,” he explains.

“How can you tell what Isle we’re in? Everything is all foggy,” I ask, glancing around .

Ro chuckles. “Just … do not wander, Grace.”

A light breeze caresses my face, swirling around my body and continuing down to my feet. The breeze turns into a whirlwind around us, swirling the misty fog with it. The wind picks up, getting stronger and stronger, turning it into a surging tornado. It wraps and spins around us violently. My hair whips at my face as I squint my eyes, the cold wind lashing our bodies.

Colors start to drop into the tornado, one at a time, getting intertwined into parts of the windy twist: pink, blue, lavender, black. They twirl and dance until the mist is gone, replaced by a black expanse. I look closer as sparkling lights dot the black sea, illuminating it into a starry night sky. The deep black depths are speckled with twinkling yellow, red, and blue lights, some far and some clustered together. I have never seen the sky like this; it is more beautiful than anything I have ever laid eyes on. My gaze wanders, unsure of where to set my eyes, while my mouth falls open.

The midnight sky starts moving around us, even though we stand still. Bright colors flash into our view as we move through a mist of pink, its color exploding into the sky like paint drops in water. My breathing stops as we move through the fluffy celestial clouds, watching in awe as it turns into light blues with depths of darkness. Glowing stars illuminate bits of the mist, brightening it to a green and yellow. We float through the masterpiece laid before us, its beauty a work of art.

Ro interrupts our silence. “Grace, someone has sensed your presence. They wish to see you. Normally, I would not allow such an intrusion into the Blessed Isles, but I have also sensed a deep sadness in your soul since your arrival. I think you both need this.”

I watch as the scenery changes around us. The colors surrounding me morph and drop into giant tall trees, reaching into the sky. The ground underneath changes into a snowy dirt path while the starry colors turn into shrubs and plants. The house unfurling before me is last, a wooden cottage with a squeaky door and windows that don’t stay latched during storms.

Tears well in my eyes as I stand before my home, a place I never thought I’d see again.

“I must come in with you. I am sorry I cannot give you your privacy,” Ro whispers, sweeping a strand of hair behind my ear.

I peer up at him, a tear spilling down my cheek, and smile. I give him a small nod and start to walk inside my old home. I open the door slowly and see a roaring fire lit in the worn stone fireplace. Two small kids are playing in front of it while a woman knits a pair of mittens on the couch. I step closer and realize the kids are Fallon and me. My breath hitches as the small girl looks up at me with her bright green eyes.

“Gracie?” A deep voice sounds to my right.

I turn and see a tall man clothed in his deep blue hand-knitted sweater and matching beanie. His blonde hair is windswept, and he wears a large beard. He looks just like I remember. He looks at me with honey-colored eyes, uncertainty shining through as he assesses me.

My throat tightens as I stare at my dad.

Tears fall as I start to sob, running to my dad and embracing him in a tight hug. He catches me and pulls me close, his warmth seeping into me as he nuzzles his head into my neck. He cries into my mussed hair, his body shaking as we hold each other.

We stay like that, neither of us wanting to let go.

“Gracie Bear. I can’t believe you’re here,” Dad cries into my neck as he holds me tighter.

I inhale his scent, cold sea air. I pull back, wanting to see him again. We gaze at each other, tears streaming down our faces, and he chuckles, wiping away his tears.

“Gracie, you are so big.” Dad gives me a warm smile as he looks at me with disbelief. “You look different than I remember.”

“Yeah, I feel different.” I shrug and glance at the small family he has before him. I feel a pang of sadness. We were still a perfect family when he died, and now so much has happened, our family has fallen apart.

“What happened?” he asks me, his mood shifting.

“Oh, nothing,” I lie. I don’t want him to know about Mom.

“You’re lying, Grace. If you think that just because you’ve grown up and I haven’t seen you, that you could get away with lying to me now, you’re wrong. I am your father, Grace Teller. You’ve never been able to lie to me before, and you still can’t now.” His voice is stern as he looks down at me.

I gulp. “It’s nothing, Dad, just some drama. Everything is fine,” I mumble.

“Grace Elizabeth Teller. You tell me the truth right now,” Dad demands.

“How do you even know I’m lying?” I cross my arms as I pop my hip, looking up at him defiantly. I hear a deep laugh behind me .

“I am glad to know she is not just obstinate with me,” Ro says, amusement in his voice.

“You’re not listening to Mr. Death either? What is your mom teaching you?” he asks incredulously.

“How to be a snake,” I mutter, looking at the perfect mom perched on the couch, knitting in front of the fire.

“What did you say?” Dad asks in disbelief, ready to scold me. “Grace, what’s going on?”

I sigh, looking into my father’s warm face. He watches me, his worried honey eyes scanning me.

“A lot happened, Dad.” I sigh again, shifting uncomfortably. “Mom got sick—”

“What? Is she ok?” he interrupts, worry plain on his face.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s just peachy right about now.” Loathing drips from my voice. I watch his eyebrows furrow at me, but he stays silent, waiting for me to continue. “Mom was on her deathbed, so I started praying to the Moon Goddess, Mene. I was incidentally killed for doing it, but then I was chosen to come back to life, Gods-touched. I can heal others but at my own expense. I healed Mom, so Fallon convinced me to help heal others. Mom thought I was cursed and had Fallon and my best friend killed, and I was thrown over the Veil.”

I watch my dad’s face fall as he hears what happened to me. He cuts his attention to Mom on the couch, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“She had you killed?” Dad whispers in disbelief. “Our babies?”

Guilt worms its way into my chest as I watch Dad stare at his wife. “Pa, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He turns to me suddenly and grabs me fast, pulling me into a tight hug. “I am so sorry, Grace.” Dad sets his head on me and talks in an angry whisper, “We have failed you and your brother. I shouldn’t have gone out that day. I knew it was going to storm. Your faces were the last things I thought of, Grace. I knew I was going to die and not watching you two grow up was always my biggest regret. To know that your mother threw that all away over something so amazing—it kills me, Gracie. It kills me that I wasn’t there to protect you.”

Tears well in my eyes hearing my dad’s words. He thinks my curse is amazing. Imagine what could’ve happened if he was still alive. He could’ve stopped Mom, and the rest of our family could’ve made a difference to the kingdom.

I hear him inhaling my scent, kissing the top of my head. “Do you think he would let me see Fallon?” Dad whispers to me quietly .

I pull away, tears dripping down my cheeks, and look up at him. Dad smiles at me gently, wiping the tears off of my face.

“No tears, cupcake,” he says gently.

I clear my throat, trying to find my voice again. “Ro thinks Fallon survived. That’s why I’m here, we’re looking to see if his soul is here.”

“Ro?” he asks me curiously.

“Oh, yeah sorry, Death.” I glance back at Ro, his gaze is wandering my house.

Dad looks at me, taking in the information I gave him and finally states, “You are close with him.” He narrows his eyes at me.

I think about this morning and how he had me bent over, pounding me relentlessly. A blush creeps to my face, and I can’t help but smile. “Yeah, we’re close.”

“We are mates. Do not let the little hellion fool you.” Ro’s voice sounds from across the room, he’s peering in.

“Get out of my room!” I yell at him, the invasion of privacy surprising me.

“I do not take orders from you,” the Death God says plainly.

“Ro!” I take out my dagger and chuck it in his direction; the dark, gleaming blade lands into the wood panel by his head. I cackle as he turns to look at the dagger with wide eyes, but then, Ro cuts his head sharply to me. The look on his face has me rethinking my decision. Excited shivers run down my back as I see his black eyes bore into me.

I cannot wait to see how he will punish me.

Ro takes out the dagger, chipping the wood, and saunters over to me. The God never takes his eyes off of me. He watches me like a predator sizing up its next meal. My heart pounds as he gets closer, his boots’ slow thuds echo into the room. His strides eat the last of the space between us until he is towering over me.

“Little creature, did you just throw a dagger at my head?” he whispers wickedly.

I gulp and shake my head.

Ro hums and leans his head in close to mine. “Your father is right, you are a bad liar. If you think this will go unpunished, you are sorely mistaken,” he breathes seductively.

I bite my lip as my heart races. I hold in my heavy breathing, trying not to give in. This man has gotten better at reading me and fuck, is he a quick learner. He really knows how to rile me up. If I show the slightest reaction, Ro will figure me out, and I will lose my hand. I try and ignore his sexy threats and hold out my hand expectantly, trying to look confident as I wait for my dagger back.

“You are not getting it back until you stop throwing things at me.” He stashes my blade into his pants.

“You know I’ll never stop. You might as well just give it back to me.” I put my hands on my hips and stare at him.

Ro gives me a sly smile and leans down to kiss me. He puts his soft lips on me, kissing me gently, the act so warm and full of love it sends goosebumps onto my skin.

“You are infuriating,” Ro whispers into my lips before he pulls away. “We should go soon, your soul is not meant to be here.”

I turn back to my dad. He stands with his arms crossed, watching us, a massive smile on his face.

“I can’t tell you how proud of you I am.” Dad walks up to me and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Sweetheart, I know I wasn’t there for you growing up, I regret it every day. But you have grown into such a strong and beautiful woman, Grace. For fuck’s sake, you just stood up to Death himself.”

Ro grunts behind us, making us chuckle.

“And you have your mate with you to protect you now, not that I think you need it.” He chuckles. “When you find Fallon, you tell him I love him. You two have obviously done right growing up with each other. You tell him how proud of him I am.” His voice cracks. Dad kisses the top of my head, pulling me into a hug. “I love you, my Gracie Bear.”

Tears well in my eyes and spill onto my face. “I love you, too, Dad.”

We separate, both of us with tears on our faces. We laugh at each other, wiping off our faces, and I start to walk away.

“My Lord Death, sir, would it be too much to ask for a change in my Isle?” My dad’s voice is quiet behind me.

“What would you change?” Ro’s voice sounds different, omniscient.

“I would like my wife gone.” Dad sneers on the word wife. “And I would like my babies grown, to the age they’re at now, please.”

“It will be done. Come, Grace, we need to go.” Ro holds his hand out for me.

I walk to him, stopping to take one more look behind me. I gaze at the dining table and small kitchen. I imprint the sight of Dad’s old leather armchair and the hearth. My breath hitches when I see Fallon and me, grown and sitting on the couch; my mom gone. I look to my father, one more time, and we smile at each other.

“Bye, Dad. ”

“We’ll see each other again, Gracie.”

And with that, I leave.

Ro flies us back through the raging storm; the wild wind whips at my hair as I bury my sniffling face into the crook of his neck. We looked a little longer through the twinkling stars and far-off Isles, but we never found Fallon or Evie. I’m still in awe from the celestial sights as he directed us through realm after realm.

Ro even let me see my father. A small smile pulls at my lips as his presence is still fresh in my mind. I cannot believe it. I didn’t even know it was possible. He died when I was six. I’ve spent most of my life without my dad. I had come to terms with the fact I would never see him again. I would never hear his laugh boom across the cottage. I would never see the mirth in his golden eyes when he played his tricks. I would never feel his warmth as he embraced me fully in his arms.

But damn, did I wish I could.

Ro has brought me the closure I didn’t know I needed.

Now, he’s brought to light that my brother and best friend are alive. Why didn’t I ask this sooner? I guess because he hated me, and I was busy making him angry. I assumed he knew about my brother, but I guess I never actually told him.

I shake my head, muttering to myself. “Stupid.”

“I heard that,” Ro booms against the whistling wind. “If you ever insult yourself again, Grace Teller, you and I will have words.”

My eyes go wide as I keep my face buried. Shit, that reminds me, I threw a dagger at him. Hopefully, he has forgotten. He was rather friendly the rest of the night. I think I’m in the clear. I’m elated that my brother is still alive. It’s fantastic news. All this time, I thought he was dead. I was mourning his soul, and really, he and Evie survived the attack. I inhale deeply, letting the scent of earth fill my heart.

It’s a good thing they are alive .

I am so happy, really.

My brows furrow as I bury my head further into Ro’s neck.

It’s just, no matter how hard I try, I can’t help stop the sensation of dread from sneaking into my head. He and Evie are across the Veil, alive and well. I am in Elyssus with my mate. It should be enough, right? We are both alive and happy. Except, doubt floods me as I think of all the things that could be going wrong in Calibria.

What are they doing now? Is he with Evie? Are they even safe?

A particularly cold gust of wind hits my body, and I shiver violently in response. What if they aren’t safe? The King’s Priest said they were to hang on the wall. What if they’re in a dungeon, awaiting their sentence? Anxiety racks through my heart and sours my gut.

What if they aren’t in his grasp?

What if the King’s Priest knew they were alive? He must’ve gone back for the bodies only to find them missing. He could be hunting them now. The entire King’s Guard after Fallon and Evie. They don’t stand a chance.

I need to get to them.