Page 88 of Enchanted Kisses
Across the way, older, medium-sized buildings linked together, where people hung over balconies and threw beads to the swarm below.
Dressed in bright colors and wearing strands of beads, people danced on the sidewalks and street. Jazzy music filled the air and a large banner on a street sign had the wordsMardi Gras.
I gaped at Raysa. “We’re in New Orleans?”
She shot me a grin while unpacking her bag. “How does joining the festivities sound to you?”
“It depends on why. Aren’t we on the run or in hiding? And where’s Caiden? He’s okay, right?”
“Caiden is fine. A little on edge, but nothing he can’t handle.”
I felt an “I hope” linger in the air.
“He doesn’t want anyone to trace you to him. That’s why you’re with me.”
I lowered my head. “Did Caiden tell you what happened between us tonight?” Why did I feel like I was ratting myself out to a parent?
“Not in detail, but after speaking with Virgil, I understand it was inevitable.”
“You went?” I lifted my head and hurried to stand across from her on the other side of the bed. “What did he say?”
“He doesn’t exactly talk in coherent sentences.” She shook out a pale-blue dress, then did the same with a frilly pink one and tossed it over the bed. “For you.” She winked and continued, “What I interpreted from his poetic foretelling is that either Caiden or Dagan could bethe onein his prophecy.I’m leaning toward Caiden, given that he actually left his realm. Dagan seems beyond reforming.”
“He told you the prophecy? I thought he couldn’t.”
“He told me enough.” Raysa lifted my mother’s poetry book from her bag. “Stopped off at your house for this earlier.” She gave it to me.
“Thank you.” I hugged it to my chest, then tucked it safely into my suitcase.
With a sigh, she went to the balcony and stared out into the dark sky. “It wasn’t always like this. For centuries, the balance between life and death remained equal. But when Caiden’s mother died, things changed in the Realm of Death. The king became restless, and as a result, the balance shifted. If it’s not stabilized soon, the gods could decide enough is enough. If that happens, then we all lose. Virgil believes the balance will even out once one of the originals, Caiden or Dagan, returns to the Realm of Life.”
“Oh, God. What have I done?” I dropped onto the bed. “I know why the Realm of Death wants me, and now that I have my powers, I’ve ruined everything. I’m so sorry.” I lifted shaky hands to my eyes to keep from crying. “One stupid vow and the world could end because of me.”
“You didn’t know.” Raysa sat beside me and draped her arm over my shoulder. “If anything, I’m to blame. I was supposed to protect you. Now I feel like our closeness has weakened my judgment. I’ve never had a friend like you. Someone who could be herself around me. Give me a hard time and do silly things for absolutely no reason. You’re the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“That’s sad.” I uncovered my face. “I’m lame. And look what I’ve done.”
“You’re hardly lame.”
“But I have screwed things up. Big time.”
She tucked my hair behind my ear. “Not big time but enough. Caiden will fix it. He’s more determined than ever. Once he finds a way to shield your essence, he’ll take my place. He’ll have to. I’m needed back at the realm now that I’m to be queen.”
I gasped. “He decided? Why now?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He wants to be with you. He wants to rule with me as my advisor or second-in-command.”
“Did you ever really doubt him?” I whispered, ashamed that I had—more than once.
“I was starting to. Had it not been for Virgil, I’d have had Caiden and Bianca locked up until we learned the truth.”
“Like in a dungeon?” I shouldn’t have been shocked after hearing Caiden’s stories about the Realm of Death.
“It might sound barbaric, but given that sentries have great powers, it’s necessary in breaking them down.”
I cringed, picturing a dank cell with chains, and reminded myself that sentries had been around since before the invention of dungeons.
Too anxious to sit, I stood. “If I heal Caiden, will that stop all of this?” I didn’t know if I was powerful enough to heal him entirely. “And what about Dagan? Maybe I should try to heal him, too.”
