Page 101 of A World of Ruins

I jump off close to the ground before Darius can land. Some scream in terror at the view of a dragon by the pavilion, and others near enough faint by the bridge overlapping the streets.

I spot Lorcan among them and he frowns at me, confusion evident on his features.

Instead of letting him know, I rush towards the Neoma tree, slowing down once I am a few feet away from it.

I can sense Darius right behind me as I say, without looking back, ‘Do you think this will work?’

A pang of melancholy strikes my chest as I stare at the once-vibrant tree. Its gnarled branches reach out to me like fingers.

‘I trust wholeheartedly that it will, Goldie,’ Darius says softly.

I pray that it will.

People from the city begin to surround the pavilion, staring in unease and confusion. My brothers and friends arrive with a few shifters following behind. They find me by the tree, and I release a trembling sigh.

Darius has already rounded the tree and is now facing me.

There is no sign of life.

When I first came here and saw it, I never thought it was salvageable. Aurum had destroyed it beyond saving, and now, as I stand here before it, all I want is to see its marigold leaves alive again.

I feel the rough bark against my fingertips. Gently shutting my eyes, I search for a flicker of existence – for a pulse. And suddenly, as if it senses me, a wave of warmth courses through my veins.

I open my eyes only to find Darius also with his hand on the tree.

I gaze at him with a smile, my hand delicately touching the rough surface of the tree. As the air fills with the earthy fragrance, my eyelids flutter closed, allowing me to bask in the comforting warmth that emanates from deep within us.

As my power begins to flow from the depths of my soul, I focus on the Neoma tree, drawing enough strength to heal, heal,heal.

A soft glow then brightens the surrounding area and I dare to peek.

My eyes widen at the breathtaking sight. Around Darius and me, a radiant golden light emerges from the trees roots, spreading like liquid sunlight.

Whirling patterns float gracefully around us, enveloping us in a tender embrace as if we were underwater. One by one, delicate buds form, swell and burst into vibrant marigold blossoms.

I can’t help but let out a chuckle as I gaze upon the branches, witnessing their growth unfurling like flickering flames. It’s stunning; it’severything.

I gaze downwards and lock eyes with Darius, as his powers and mine coax the tree back to life.

We did it, my eyes are saying.

We did, his eyes whisper back.

And then a powerful surge of bright light pierces the sky with a thundering roar.

CHAPTERFORTY-THREE

Darius and I take a step back from the tree, staring at the sky as the world goes quiet.

I glance at him, fearing we have done something wrong despite healing the Neoma tree. But as we start to walk towards one another, a child from the crowd yells, ‘Look!’ and we stop.

Carefully lifting our heads, we see specks of gold dust falling from above, little by little at first, and then enough to cover the ground like snow.

‘Noctura,’ I whisper, holding out my hands to collect it all. Excitement and relief wash over me, finally realising that Darius and I made the Neoma tree the new power source. That it was always going to be the Neoma tree, nothing else.

Gasps fill the pavilion, and people cry, saying it is a miracle as they bow down to us.

I look to Darius and my brothers and friends, and I smile so wide that my face could split.

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