Page 29 of The Power of a Myth

Molly shook her head.

“Please, I’m sorry,” Hayden pleaded with the woman he’d missed so much.

“No you wouldn’t,” Molly offered up to him. “You would have chosen to touch the dragon’s bones every time because that’s the man I fell in love with. Self-sacrificing. Our life may not have been what we dreamed of when we were younger, but if today was about fulfilling a destiny, helping with the war, and guiding Selene to be the key to our survival, then I’ll stand by your side for whatever time we have left.”

“It may be short? We’re in our seventies.” Hayden knew their time on this Earth would be fleeting as they advanced in age.

“Then, we’ll just have to enjoy every minute.” Molly allowed him to pull her into his arms. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It was everything he remembered and more. The scent and taste of her invaded his body, leaving him content, and for the first time, he felt in control of his own future.

He’d spent a lot of dark days wondering if he’d ever be free. He’d had moments at the edge of despair, but with Molly back in his arms, he was alive once more. He was living for the first time in fifty-two years, and he wouldn’t let anything come between them ever again. Fate and destiny be damned. He’d done his part. Now was his time to be with the woman he loved.

Even if it would only be for a short time.

Chapter Fifteen

Molly knew Hayden had sacrificed their life together for a greater cause. She couldn’t be angry with him any longer. All she could do was focus on the time they had left. What ifs were something they couldn’t ever think about. They needed to live in the present and not the past.

The feel of his lips against hers had made her head spin, sending a torrent of emotions to her body and mind. All she knew was she needed to be with him again—as a man and wife would be.

A cough came from behind them as they continued to kiss, and they quickly pulled apart.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Jessica stood at the door, and a flash of anger toward the witch swept through Molly. Jessica had known how heartbroken Molly had been about losing Hayden, but the witch had never told her Hayden was alive. “Ethern is explaining everything to Brayden and Selene. I just wanted to come and apologize to you, Miss Molly, and let you know I’ve only recently known about Hayden. Ethern told me the day he died, just a few weeks ago. I’ve been pulled into the fight ever since, and I’ve desperately wanted to tell you he was alive and safe, but I couldn’t.”

Molly reluctantly separated from Hayden and hobbled over to Jessica. She wrapped her arms around the distraught witch and gave her comfort.

“It’s all right. I know there’s something bigger going on here than the love Hayden and I share. Everything that’s happened has been for a purpose and destiny. We’re together again now, though, and we’ll enjoy the time we have left.”

Molly felt a warmth in her heart. She looked over at Hayden and smiled at him. He returned her affection.

“Jessica, we know you’ve been in an impossible position. Nobody is to blame for Molly and I being separated for so long except me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her,” Hayden added.

“That’s something I can help you with.” Jessica smiled at them both. “Apparently, Hayden wasn’t just to be rewarded for his courage as a human but also for his sacrifice as a multi-shifter. Ethern has given me a spell. It was discovered by the first multi-shifter and kept hidden. Only Caleb and Ethern saw the words. No other multi-shifter has knowledge of this particular magic, but with my new powers, I have the ability to perform it.”

“I don’t understand?” Molly was confused by what Jessica was saying.

The witch smiled at them.

“I can’t send you back in time, but I can turn back time for you both. I can make you the same age you were when you first met. Hayden will still have the power of the dragon with this spell, but I think we know he can control it now, and Molly you will be a puma shifter still. You’ll just be able to live the life together you never had.”

Molly couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Jessica had become more powerful than any of them knew if she was able to perform a spell like that. “Isn’t that playing with the whole fabric of the universe, changing time and consequences?”

“I think multi-shifters do that all the time. It’s why they’re given the visions. I questioned it at first, but if it’s what the first seer saw, then it’s meant to be. You and Hayden sacrificed your lives together so Hayden could learn to control the power of the dragon and pass on the details to Selene. The true key to controlling your dragon, Hayden, is the love you two share. The way you turned Hayden around today, Miss Molly, and gave him the strength to turn back was one of the most memorable things I’ve seen in my life. If I can do this for you both, I really want to.”

Molly looked up at Hayden. “What do you think?”

“Fifty-two years is a long time. I’ve done a lot of thinking during that time, and the main conclusion I’ve come to is not to question what the universe brings my way anymore. I died, I was reborn, and I lived a life in solitude. Now I’m being given the chance to live my entire life again with you at my side. I say, yes.” Hayden pulled Molly closer to him, and she welcomed his warmth.

In the next instance, she looked down at where her leg was missing. She pointed at the stump. “What about this?”

“I’ve known how to fix that for a long time. I’ve just not had the power to do it, but I do now. I can give you your leg back as well. If that’s what you want.” Jessica gave Molly the news she’d always longed to hear.

“There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t change what had happened to me even if I could, but if I’m going to go back to the time I first met Hayden, then I need to be able to dance with him properly. If Hayden is happy, I say do it. Yes, change our ages back and give us those years again but this time together.”

“Hold each other’s hands.” Jessica stepped back from them. “Stand side by side and close your eyes.”

Molly did as instructed, her hand shook a little, but the second Hayden wrapped his fingers around hers, her nerves calmed, and she listened solely to her heartbeat in anticipation.

Jessica started to recite magical words, but Molly didn’t listen to them. Instead, she paid attention to the feel of her body. The constant ache of her aging form vanished, and she felt it being replaced by the vibrancy of youth. Her leg started to ache, a similar pain to the one she felt when shifting. Then, all of a sudden, she felt her center of gravity shift. Her re-grown foot touched the ground, and she flexed her toes into the rough rock below them. Her eyes were still tightly shut, and she itched with excitement to open them, but she knew she had to let Jessica finish her spell.

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