Page 302 of Lady of Starfire

“With my life,” Mordecai answered.

Scarlett nodded her head a few times, swallowing down the sob trying to crawl up her throat. “I guess this is it then.”

“For now,” Nuri agreed, as the three of them fell into each other’s arms.

What would it be like to be missing one? It had been the three of them since they could walk. She would never feel whole with one of them gone.

“Scarlett,” Sorin said quietly.

“I know,” she rasped, but instead of stepping back, she only clung more tightly to Nuri and Juliette.

It was Cassius whose hand came to her back as he said softly into her ear, “They need to go, Seastar.”

“I can’t do it.”

“You can, Scarlett,” Nuri said, squeezing her one last time. “For me. I cannot stay here.”

Scarlett pressed her lips together and sucked in a sharp breath before forcing herself to step back.

“Alaric forced us together, but we have always chosen to be sisters,” Nuri said, looking between her and Juliette. “That will remain across the stars.”

She tried to flash them her signature grin when Mordecai moved to her side, but it never quite made it to her face.

Scarlett silently summoned Chaos to her palms, letting it build. “You are sure about this?” she asked the seraph.

“Unlock the mirror gate long enough to let us pass. I will find our way to where we need to go,” he answered.

Scarlett had questioned the seraph about this over and over, but the only answer he ever gave was that he had access to technologies and things not found in this world.

“I swear to you, Scarlett, she will be safe,” he said, a wing curling around Nuri.

Scarlett nodded as Mordecai gently gripped Nuri’s elbow and tugged her towards the mirror gate. She did not look at him. She kept those honey-colored eyes on her sisters. Scarlett lifted her palms, ready to open the gateway, waiting for Nuri’s signal.

“I love you both. So very much,” Nuri said.

And Scarlett knew if she did not do it now, she would not have the willpower to do it. She funneled the Chaos into the mirror gate and the moment she did so, Mordecai was pulling Nuri through it with him.

Scarlett immediately pulled the Chaos back, resealing the gate, and she dropped to the ground. Juliette went with her as they clung to each other and cried over a piece of them now gone.

* * *

Arantxa and Juliette were the first to leave, the Witch gently reminding Juliette they had to meet with coven leaders and that Juliette would probably want some time to compose herself. Cassius left with them to Travel them back to the Witch Kingdoms.

Scarlett found herself lying on the floor, her cheek pressed to the cool stone. Within moments of the others leaving, Sorin was lying down beside her, fingers brushing back her hair.

“I cannot get up right now. My heart hurts,” she whispered. There were no more tears. Apparently she cried them all with Juliette.

“I know, Love,” he answered. “I will sit with you in the dark until you are ready.”

Seconds turned into minutes. They turned into an hour. Two. She lost count until she was ready to face a new world.

Sorin helped her to her feet, tucking her in close as they left the Citadel libraries and made their way back upstairs. Once outside, Sorin would Travel them home. At least that part of her world would be right. Her family would be there waiting for them.

The guards at the main doors were just pulling them open when her name was called causing her to pause and turn.

“Yes?” She managed to muster a tight smile as she beheld the Fae Queen.

Ashtine gave her a small, knowing smile. “The winds speak of new beginnings. They speak of beings and worlds awakening. They speak of a genesis because of this day. You were not the only one chosen.”

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