Page 136 of Grave Revelations

“It’s not their fault Primoria has been destroyed. I won’t make them prisoners.”

Asher shook his sandy hair furiously. It was a few shades lighter than the fur of his paws and reminded her of a lion’s mane. She would have laughed if she could anymore.

“You said it was my decision,” Rebecca reminded him. “Let them go.”

Asher’s paw curled in the dirt. “They aren’t meant to roam freely here. They must be processed and moved to their final resting place.”

“So you’ve said—several times—but if they aren’t welcome in Alaxia and Primoria is gone, this is their home now.”

Simon pushed himself off the tree he’d been lounging against and came to stand beside her. “Asher, listen. This place isn’t that big. If Primoria re-opens, I’ll help you round them up.”

Asher grumbled something under his breath, but it was clear he understood Simon, even though Simon was speaking English.

“Have you learned their language?” Rebecca asked him.

“I’ve only picked up a few words, but you were speaking English.”

“Was I?” She couldn’t tell anymore. Languages blurred together in her mind.

The sphinx spun around, his tail swishing behind him as he went to release the souls with nowhere else to go. At least, she hoped he would. He was a stubborn creature.

“What about the souls who haven’t found their way yet?” Rebecca asked, but Asher had already left, barking orders at the other sphinxes.

“Do you want to keep exploring, Bec?” Simon asked. “There are still places that would benefit from your earth magic.”

She stared past him. Did it matter? Did she need to revive this land? If the displaced souls lived here now, it would only be right. She started forward, moving away from the river, and Simon caught up to her.

“I know you’re going through a lot right now,” he began. “Your final death is hard to process, but I just wanted you to know that I’m here. I’ll help you. There’s something wonderful about this place.” He waved a hand around them. “It feels like a second chance, and I think we would be happy here. Together.”

Rebecca continued walking, watching grass and flowers lengthen and form tiny buds as she passed. Silence stretched between them as she walked, considering her next words.

They reached a hilltop, and she turned, surveying the space behind her. Where they had just come from, it was beautiful. Peaceful. Ahead, sloping gray, cracked earth stretched into the distance. If this were truly her domain, it should all look like this. Devoid of life, color, and hope—the way she felt. Behind her, it was too bright, too cheerful.

Rebecca wrapped her arms around herself. “It took me a while to process what you said. I’m still… struggling with everything. But if Jophiel did that to you, I’m so sorry. I’ve always felt responsible for your death, your afterlife. Knowing I’m the reason for yet another curse placed on you breaks my heart.”

She loosened her hold on her biceps, and her gaze met his. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve what happened to you. You deserved so much better than any of it.

“I never would have compelled you to be by my side forever, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit I was terrified of being alone. Of never being enough for anyone.” She squeezed her arms tighter. “I took you for granted, and whetheryou were forced to be there for me all those years or you chose it, I was selfish, expecting you to wait for me while I pieced my life together each time.” A tear ran down her cheek. She didn’t bother wiping it away. “I hate how selfish I was.”

Simon stepped closer, holding out a hand.

She glanced down but didn’t take it. “Simon. I genuinely am sorry, but…”

“But?” His words held a hard edge. Not at all like the Simon she was used to.

“I love him.” She looked up, meeting his eyes. “With my whole soul.”

His hand fell, balling into a fist at his side. A range of emotions flashed over his face before it settled into that blank mask he used when he was prepared to lie.

Before he could, she rushed on. “I love you, too. I love your selfless, kind heart and every moment of the eight decades you’ve spent by my side, but it’s not the kind of love you feel for me.” More tears ran down her cheeks. “When I regained the memories from my first life, from Adalaide’s life, the depth of the love I carry for him hit me hard. I never knew a person could hold so much love for another…” She bit her lip, stifling the sob that was desperate for release. “I hope you’ll find someone who deserves you because you’re wonderful.”

Simon scoffed and perhaps realized at the exact moment she did how ludicrous her words were. It was the end of the world; they were dead. Where did she expect him to find someone now?

“I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry for—”

“Don’t. Don’t tell me you’re sorry for wasting so much of my life. It wasn’t a waste for me.” He turned, spinning on his heel, and for the first time in Rebecca’s eternity, the door between her and Simon might have permanently closed.

When Rebecca realized she’d been standing alone staring at nothing, unsure how long it had been in a place that didn’t seem to measure time, she continued on the same path, touching trees and running her fingers along blooming grass as she went. Somehow, she arrived back at the stream. There was no way of telling how long she’d walked, but in the end, the paths converged—a circle.

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