Page 128 of Tangled Hearts

“What if she doesn’t want the burden of this magic? Can we live with knowing we put that burden on her? That we are putting her in danger because we are selfish and want her back with us?” I looked at the guys. “Can we live with the possibility of her hating us? Or possibly losing her again?”

I didn’t think she would hate us. Oria was so pure she would gladly live with the power.

“If war is upon us, wouldn’t she be an asset?’ Gray asked. “Am I so selfish that all I can see is positive things and not burdens? I’m ready to shoulder the burden with her.”

“Can we survive losing her again?” Soren looked up with a clenched jaw. “Because I don’t know if I can.”

“I know I’m selfish because even if I just get one more year with her, I know it will be worth it,” Max said, looking at me. “Or we could get her for the rest of our existence. The future's not set in stone, and I think I’m willing to see a future with her again, even if we have to fight for it.”

“Then it’s decided, let’s do it,” I said to the gods.

I don’t know if I imagined it, but I saw their relief.

“You are a great leader, Ryder,” the moon goddess said to me. “You lead with information instead of strength and that is what you need.”

“Keep the scythes. Call on them whenever you need them,” Death said to the twins. “I should have had vampires be my reapers, so I’m curious to see what the future holds for you.”

The messenger of the gods looked at Max. “Stay honorable, Maxton.” She cupped his cheek as he glowed with power. “Let’s bring your mate back.”

She laid the flower on her chest, and I hoped we had made the right decision.

36

ORIA

Warmth was all around me, along with the familiar scent of my mates. After feeling the cold sink into my body, it felt so good that tears flooded my eyes, making me close them even tighter until the warmth around me moved. I wasn’t ready to open my eyes and face the reality of what I had done. Just one more minute of warmth and I'd figure out what this afterlife looked like.

Goddess, I hope I wasn’t a ghost.

The warmth moved again, and my eyes opened quickly to see nothing but darkness. My hands were against my chest, and I immediately pushed away only hitting another body who grunted.

Oh, goddess. Was I in a room with other dead people? Was this like a processing center? Oh my goddess. I scrambled off the bodies trying to get away from them, but ended up hitting two more before I got off the bed.

“Sol, what's going on?” Max’s voice was groggy.

“Are you ok, Sunshine?” Gray asked, as footsteps padded around the room and a bright light came on.

I flinched from the light, covering my eyes.

“Gray, shut that shit off,” Ryder’s voice was gruff.

“Shit, sorry, Sunshine,” Gray said, as he made the room dark again.

A soft click and a soft light filled the room. My mates were on the bed except for Gray. They all looked at me with varying degrees of concern.

“I’m not dead?” I asked, knowing the answer, but needing confirmation.

“No, Heaven, you aren’t dead,” Ryder said, getting out of the bed slowly.

“I failed?” I asked.

“No, you didn’t, you gave us the distraction we needed to take care of Laima,” Soren said, also getting out of the bed.

“I died, I was sure of it,” I said, looking at my hands realizing I was in a big shirt and was completely clean.

“You did die,” Gray said, walking closer to me. “We were saying our goodbyes when…”

“Divine intervention stuck their noses in it,” Max said, staying right where he was.

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