Page 119 of Blood and Reign

I guess, I’m still the same too. They belong to me just as much as I belong to them.

She smiles, but it no longer reaches her eyes. “I have to go now.”

I shake my head, gripping onto her. “No. Please don’t leave. Just one more minute.”

Her smile turns sad as her body slowly starts to fade. She reaches out a hand to cup my cheek. I lean into it imagining its warmth.

“I wish I could, but this moment was more than I could have ever hoped for. I’m so proud of you Kiarra and always will be. Never forget that.”

I try to grab her, panicking when her body goes right through my hands.

“Remember to always love fiercely, to fight as hard as you can, and to never,evergive up. No matter how bad it gets. There will always be a light in the dark waiting, no matter how small.”

Her body is nearly completely translucent, but I focus on her smile wanting it to be the last thing I remember.

“We’ll meet again, one day. I promise…” She blows me a kiss just as she disappears, her last words traveling on the breeze around me. “I love you Kiarra…always.”

“I love you too,” I whisper as I stare at the spot she disappeared, too frozen to do anything else as the last few moments play on repeat in my head.

I got to see my mom.

She was right there and close enough to touch. I can still smell the light rose scent around me assuring me this wasn’t a dream.

Not many people get to say they get a second chance at seeing their loved ones, one last time. ButIdid.

My last memory of her was when she died. But now I have a new one. A happier one to replace it with. And it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.

I blink back the tears as I smile to myself, my body slowly starting to relax as the reality of what happened slowly filters in making me feel lighter than I have in a while.

A hand on my shoulder shakes me from my thoughts. I turn to Rielle as she smiles at me.

“I’m here, Kiarra. No matter what happens, I’ll be here.”

A mixture of emotions flitter through me at her words, but I know she means them, especially after what she just gave me.

Getting to see my mother was more than anything I ever expected. And for that alone, I’ll always be grateful to her.

I give her a smile. “Thank you.”

The ground shifts beneath me once more and within seconds I’m with my guys, but instead of in the lounge, we’re back in the cave we used to enter the Underworld.

Jax’s eyes widen as he glances around. “What the—”

“Weren’t we just in the hall?” Axel frowns.

Luka’s the first one to spot me. He walks over to me, a frown on his face as he checks me over. “Kiarra? Are you okay?”

I smile but I’m still lost in my thoughts. “I’m good. Let’s just get back to Manhattan.” I make a move out of the cave, catching the guys share a worried look. But my mind and heart are still back in that endless field of flowers.

I move on autopilot and before I know it I’m halfway through the forest with Kai stepping in front of me, blocking my path.

“Okay, that’s it. Tell me what your so-called aunt did to upset you, because if she said anything to hurt you…”

I shake my head, smiling at him. “It’s nothing like that. I… met my mom.”

The guys freeze, quickly turning quiet as they stare at me with a mixture of shocked expressions.

“She let me see her for a moment. It was…” I swallow hard, not able to pass that damn knot in my throat. “Sorry, I’m still… processing.”

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