Page 116 of In the Blood

I knew what I need to do, but I couldn’t shift into a unicorn on the back of a dragon. I let the chaos fade as I tried to summon starlight. It came so effortless in my pneuma form—I had to do this.

I released my pent up fury as I sent raw magic towards the spelled wards in a force of power that knocked me backwards. Kaya caught me as beamingstarlightanswered my call. The wards rippled and shuttered before crumbling under light that radiated in bright, pulsing waves. Sandrained down on the faeries below as Rafael bellowed in triumph and flew us out.Freedom.

We whooped and cheered as we flew to the garden, cold air nipping at my beaming cheeks. The only sound in the silent sky was Raf’s wings pumping up and down—until he let out an ear-splittingroar,alerting Louis we were on our way.

We were so close.

The night wind pulled tears from my eyes as we began to circle and land. The first face I saw was Meli’s. I shook with relief as I jumped from Raf and ran to give her a hug. Hundreds of petrified people crowded against the walls, watching, waiting.

“You made it.” I grinned at Meli and Odin.

“So did you! We brought some friends.”

“Just a few,” I laughed.

“There are more hidden outside of the garden. We’ll bring them through once the portal is open.”

I hugged Rafael who had shifted back into his Fae form. “You were incredible… Thank you,” I whispered.

He cradled my head against his chest, murmuring into my hair, “Let’s go home.” We held hands as we walked to the wall in a full circle moment. I gave him one last smile as I shifted into a unicorn.

The glow from my horn shimmered across the garden. The warm light washed over clumps of fuchsia snapdragons, white lilies, and goldenrod. Fireflies bumbled through the air, twinkling against the shadows of night. The smell of jasmine brought me back to the night I’d come here with Raf. He was the first one I’d ever shared it with and it felt fitting that we should be here together now, in this moment.

I looked upon countless bewildered faces, all staring at me. Louis covered his mouth in shock. Meli beamed at me with pride, while Odin wrapped himself protectively around her. Raf rested his hand on my shoulder and said, “You’ve got this, world walker.”

I bobbed my head at him and then stared at the wall. After months of wondering if I’d ever get the chance to go home, the only obstacle that remained wasme. There was no one to hide behind and nowhere to run. If I didn’t open this portal, then no one would.

Why had this task fallen on my shoulders? Why had I, out of everyone, been given the gifts of a unicorn? And how had I even arrived here inthe first place? I could stand here, forming new questions and never finding answers, or I could simplytryand see where it led.

I sauntered over to the wall, running my opal horn along jagged stone.“Take me home,”I said, willing my magic to transform a wall into a door—a door that would lead to a newworld. A seed of light appeared in a small pocket of stone. It grew as I concentrated on Erador and the people waiting for me on the other side.

I closed my eyes, visualizing the towering castle, the rolling green grass, the manicured gardens. The secret hideout that sheltered me as I grieved my mother, the aunt who loved me like her own, the horse that taught me how to fly, and the stable hand who’d given me endless patience. The Lady’s maid who taught me humility and the best friend who never laughed at my dreams, but instead dared to dream with me.

When I opened my eyes, the groove had grown into a golden, luminescent door. It flickered and faded, but I knew what I needed to do. I had to channeleverythingI had to give. I had to transform darkness into light.

I willed more magic into the wall, letting myself feel the rage, grief, lust, joy, loneliness, fear, love, and loss that I’d experienced since arriving here. This world had destroyed me. This world had forged me into something new. Raw power flowed from me as my horn siphoned energy from the air, from the earth. The ground vibrated and stone walls tremored as the door demandedmore. Rafael sounded far away as he shouted, telling people to close their eyes as my magic lit up the garden, the forest, the sky.

I was panting as I opened my eyes and saw a translucent golden doorway. I could see the garden waiting for me on the other side.Erador. I pushed my nose through the shimmering veil that separated the two worlds, smelling crisp, cool Aurelian air on the other side.

I’d done it.

People cheered as I reared up in triumph, shifting back. I studied the arched door more closely, noticing scribbles of Ancient Fae etched along the frame. A six-pointed star sat atop the door frame like a crown. “What does it say?” I asked Raf.

He squatted in front of the portal, quickly running his fingers along each word.

“I don’t think we have time to translate it all right now, but it looks like instructions… a guide of some sort. Maybe this is what the last world walker used to find Nymera.”

I nodded, knowing every minute counted. “Let’s start moving people through.”

Rafael immediately began to delegate. “Form a steady line. We need to be quick. Louis, I want you and your men on the other side, helping people through and keeping them organized. Marigold and I will come through last.”

The doorway was only wide enough to fit a few people through at a time. A long line switched back on itself before spilling outside of the garden gates. My heart was pounding; this was taking too long. How fast could Galen get here in his lion form? We needed tohurry.

“Quickly, everyone,” Meli shouted as people brought through horses, small carts, and personal items.

With just a trickle of people left in line, my worst fear was realized as I heard Galen’s voice. “You thought you could just leave us behind? Some savior you are.” He prowled towards us as his mother followed behind him, guards flanking them. His shadow wielder was also present. My lips curled into a snarl, noting the jasper chain he held.

“We should’ve gotten here faster, but your garden proved difficult to find—and I see that you’re stealing magic on your way out.” He clicked his tongue as he watched people run through the portal. “After all I’ve done for you…”

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