Page 67 of Eternal Thorns

“Your power's grown,” Agnes observed as another ward fell perfectly into place. “Not just in strength, but in fundamental nature. Forest magic recognizes your heart's truth.”

Before Silas could respond, the key's warmth flared into sudden heat. The world tilted sideways as vision overtook him - not memory or dream but possible futures unfolding like pages in a book.

He saw himself and Thorne working magic together, they were creating bridges between realms that healed centuries of division. Silver-gold light spread from Thornhaven through forest and village alike, transforming everything it touched.Their connection sparked something larger than themselves, restoring balance that had been lost since the first breaking.

But the vision shifted, darkened. That same love turned weapon, their deep bond giving the shadow entity power to manifest fully. Corruption spread through both realms, using their genuine feelings to poison everything they tried to protect. The purest intentions twisted into instruments of destruction.

“The strongest light casts the darkest shadows,” Agnes said softly as the vision faded. “The purest love often carries the heaviest burden.”

“I won't let that happen,” Silas said, though his voice shook slightly.

“Such certainty.” Agnes's smile held ancient knowing. “That's exactly what makes your bond so powerful. And so dangerous.” She touched his arm gently. “True love isn't about perfect confidence, dear one. It's about choosing each other even when the cost might be everything.”

Agnes began laying out ingredients for a more complex working, her movements precise despite her clouded eyes. “The shadow entity feeds on genuine emotion because that's what it fears most. Real connection threatens its very nature. So it tries to corrupt what it can't completely destroy.”

“Like turning love itself into weapon,” Silas said, understanding blooming like dawn.

“Exactly.” Agnes nodded approval. “But that very thing might also be its weakness. If you and Thorne can maintain true connection despite knowing how it might be used against you…” She paused, weighing her next words carefully. “Well, that's the kind of choice that changes everything.”

Together they crafted new protections, weaving silver light through Thornhaven's ancient stone.

“Why are you helping us?” Kai's voice cut through the magical haze. “No offense, but knowing my grandmother, witches don't usually work for free.”

Silas paused, realizing he'd been wondering the same thing. Agnes had been suspiciously present through every critical moment.

“You think I'm manipulating events for my own gain?” Agnes's clouded eyes fixed on Kai. “Like every other power player in this game?”

“Aren't you?” Kai challenged. “You and Lady Evangeline, pulling strings from the shadows. There's always a price.”

“You're right.” Agnes's admission stopped them both cold. “I do want something. I want to prevent what happened to me from happening again.” She rolled up her sleeve, revealing scars that pulsed with corrupted magic. “Thirty years ago, I chose fear over love. I rejected a connection that frightened me with its intensity. And that rejection?” Her bitter laugh held decades of regret. “It gave the shadow entity exactly what it needed to grow stronger.”

“Who was it?” Silas asked quietly.

“A forest spirit. Beautiful as starlight, terrible as storm. We could have bridged realms together.” Her voice caught. “Instead, I ran. Chose safety over possibility. My fear corrupted something pure into shadow.”

Silas felt the weight of her choice, understanding finally why she fought so hard to help them succeed.

“You understand what you're risking?” Agnes asked as they completed another ward. “Not just your own heart, but everything you both protect?”

“Yes.” Silas touched the key. “Some things are worth any price they demand.”

Agnes studied him with those unsettling clouded eyes. “Good answer.” She began packing away her supplies. “But rememberthis - the purest intentions often carry the highest cost. Whatever comes next will change both realms forever.”

Silas finally reachedfor Thorne's message, the spelled parchment warm against his fingers. The forest guardian's elegant script flowed across the page like water:

The decision has to be yours, freely made. Whatever you choose, I will respect it.

- T.

“Well?” Kai asked from his perch by the window. “Based on your expression, he either proposed marriage or suggested ritual sacrifice.”

“Shut up,” Silas muttered, but his friend's humor helped steady him. The key pulsed warm against his chest, responding to his surge of fierce certainty.

“Come on, don't leave me in suspense. What does our brooding forest spirit want now?”

“He's giving me a choice.” Silas traced the elegant script with his fingers. “About us. About everything.”

“That's... surprisingly mature for someone who spent centuries freezing things when he got emotional.”

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