Page 143 of Grave Revelations

“She’s lost, and she’s pretty sure she doesn’t belong here.”

Rebecca glanced at Asher, who gave her an approving nod. “Does she know where she wants to go?”

“She said she’s late for her ride,” Simon explained.

“She has resolved to move on. Tell her to wait in the river,” Asher whispered.

Rebecca smiled. “Simon, would you like to escort her to the river?”

Simon didn’t return her smile, moving past them, ushering the woman toward the water.

“He has a gift.”

Rebecca's gaze darted to Asher. “What do you mean?”

“Souls rarely find their way on their own.”

Rebecca turned, staring after Simon. As they moved, he ran a hand over the grass, and tiny buds appeared.

“Rebecca!”

She peered farther downstream, where Sophia always materialized, seeing her there.

“Rebecca, the war is won!” Sophia shouted as she swished through the tall grass and stopped beside Rebecca, wrapping her arms around her and spinning her in a circle. “Gabriel’s done it. He’s killed the Devil, and Earth is saved!”

Rebecca’s heart swelled, and warmth bloomed through her. She tugged at the ember in her chest, hoping he could feel it even through the divide between realms. Hoping he knew how proud she was to be his soulmate.

“He asked me to tell you something,” Sophia continued. “He’ll be waiting for you. In Alaxia.

The joy swelling in her winked out. “I can’t leave. I’ve tried.”

Asher moved up beside them, looking between the two women. “You’ve tried to leave? But you can’t. We need a ruler—someone with earth magic—to ensure the realm doesn’t fall into the state it was in when Sanura ruled.”

Sophia released her, stepping back. “What does he say?”

“He says I must remain. I can’t leave,” Rebecca said, though the words threatened to drown her, sucking her down into that place she’d been when all seemed lost. Could she settle for an eternity here? Could she find a way to be content knowing he was safe and the humans, too? Hadn’t this always been destined to be her fate? A sacrifice in exchange for everyone else.

She’d killed Sanura and freed this realm, but it had cost her everything.

“He didn’t say you couldn’t leave,” Simon said, stopping beside them. Another soul had wandered up to him. “He said someone has to be here to rule. Someone with earth magic.”

Rebecca let out a small huff. “We’re woefully short on Nephilim here, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Simon’s fingers twitched at his side as he moved from foot to foot. He was agitated in the way he always was when he’d worked something out before the rest of the group.

“What is it?” Rebecca asked, resting a hand on his arm.

He stilled, darting a glance at the hand on his sleeve. It was the first time she’d touched him since their fight.

He stopped fidgeting, meeting her eyes. “I could stay.”

“You?” Rebecca and Sophia said together. Rebecca glanced at Sophia, shaking her head. “Simon, you’re not Nephilim.”

“I don’t have to be.” He went rigid, pulling out of her touch. “I only need earth magic. Which I have.”

Rebecca’s gaze darted to Asher. He nodded in affirmation. “You would need to transfer your dominion to him or let him end you.” He said the last as an afterthought, and she grimaced.

“How would I do that?” Rebecca asked.

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