Page 46 of The Heirs

“And then you relived the pain all over again.” I added, remembering the first few months after Mom’s death as if they were yesterday. Even now, I would sometimes wake up from a dream, thinking that Mom’s face would be the first thing I would see. And then the pain and loss would come crashing back in waves, reminding me I was alone in this world.

The trickles of laughter floated from the floor below and I reminded myself, I wasn’t alone anymore. But as I looked at Wilder, the sad expression on his face one I was all too familiar with, I realized he still was. Even as he spent more time with us, he kept to the side, never allowing himself to really be a part of it. He was always on the outskirts, his snarky personality a shield. And yet, I had seen the slight changes in him. How he never second guessed the paths we went on, how he fought alongside us, protecting us. And now, how he was letting his guard down, trying to allow me in.

“When we first discovered you were an Enchantress, I hated you. The Enchanters were supposed to protect the Guard. My dad’s best friend was an Enchanter and I believed that Dad wouldn’t have died if the Enchanters were still alive. And then there you were, alive and proof that my dad could have still been here.”

Wilder took a seat before me, his legs brushing mine, capturing me with his dark stare. “I resented you. Hated you. And yet, you saved my life. You protected the Divines, even when you could have run and left us all. You endured more than most of the people you put your life on the line for. And I’m sorry I didn’t see who you really are sooner.”

Leaning closer, Wilder cupped my cheek in his hand, whispering. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met and I’ve been stupid for trying to ignore it for so long. For isolating myself from the warmth and love that you bring to those around you.”

Wilder turned towards the voice’s downstairs, shaking his head. “Stupid for ignoring all of them too. But I don’t want to anymore. I want to wake up tomorrow morning, knowing that there will be someone waiting for me with a smile.”

My heart started beating faster and I thought back to Knox’s words from earlier. That if there was anyone who could understand my suffering, the loss I had endured, Wilder would be there. And I knew, that I could be that person for him too.

“I can be your smile, if you’ll be mine.” I whispered, covering his palm with mine.

And then Wilder did smile, transforming his face into something beautiful, my heart fluttering in my chest. Because in this moment, I had everything I could ever want. A family that gave me peace in my soul, the strength to endure, the happiness in my heart, and a love that consumed it all. And in that moment, I knew the sacrifice I would have to make.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Halley

“Halley!” Eli’s voice yelled from below and Wilder and I broke apart, an easiness simmering between us that hadn’t been there before.

Rushing down the stairs, we walked into the main room, everyone standing around Knox, his eyes far away, the look he got when he was in a vision. Everyone seemed confused, leading me to believe this wasn’t a normal vision.

“What’s happening?” I questioned, glancing at Knox with my own concern.

No one responded, clearly not having an answer. With bated breath, we all waited for Knox to come back to us. Several moments later, Knox loudly gasped, his eyes flashing with gold, before settling on the group.

“The vision, it came out of nowhere. But it showed me where to go, what we need to do.” Knox told us all and Wilder spoke from beside me.

“The Seer with the knowledge.”

I thought through his words, realizing what he meant. The prophecy said that the Seer would pave the path, that he would know what we needed to do and where we needed to go.

“In the vision, I saw our future, the path we need to take. Eli and Wilder already know their parts, but now I know ours as well.” Knox turned towards us all, his expression serious. “We only have one opportunity to open the portal. If someone doesn’t make it through, they’re stuck on this realm forever.”

Each of us swallowed hard at those words. We knew the fate of the Divines rested on the prophecy, but now it rested completely on us as well. And if we couldn’t convince our people to come, they would never make it back to their home.

Knox continued, training his eyes on Madden. “You can track down each community location and every other Divine in the realm. We need to gather them all and bring them back to Willow Grove.” Looking at me next, Knox continued speaking. “We don’t have time to waste and we all felt the extra power that spilled over us. I need you to transport us all.”

I knew that transportation was possible, I had read about it plenty in the history books and the Enchanter tome. However, I had never given it much thought, thinking it seemed impossible until I learned more. But as I thought back to how easily my powers came while we attacked Jay and his forces, I knew that I would try.

Gathering all the power coursing through me, I thought back to the book, and the instructions listed for the enchantment. I felt the power bubble over, the golden light glowing around me, allowing me to harness the brightness and control its path.

“Where to first?” I questioned Madden, knowing I needed something to envision to open a portal to the area.

Madden closed his eyes, focusing his tracking power on where to go. Opening his eyes, he described a community in the west, amidst the Rocky Mountains. Closing my eyes, I pictured the place, pushing my power through my body and outward. Gasps surrounded me, and as I peeked my eyes open, a golden ring sat in front of us, distorting the air around it.

“Let’s go get our people.” I said, allowing everyone to step through before following behind.

It was late in the evening when we stepped foot in the community, most families in their homes, the businesses on the main street closed for the evening. Knox directed us, telling us to knock on as many doors as we could and tell them that this was urgent and we needed to get to Willow Grove for an announcement. He feared that if we told them the truth, no one would believe us. According to the others, the idea of finding the prophecy and returning to Agrum Di Vinum had become a pipe dream long ago.

Splitting up, we all went to knock on the doors, gathering the entirety of the Divines living here in a group in the street. Adults and children alike looked confused, scared eyes and nervous ticks overcoming them. We knew we would be met with restraint, and the people didn’t disappoint. None of them wanted to willingly leave their homes, not trusting the seven strangers that stood before them.

Before any of us could speak, Eli stepped forward, and even with my mental shield up, I could feel the immense power pressing on the people surrounding us.

“You are all safe. You will step through the portal. Everything will be alright.” Eli’s words were calm and soft and I watched with wide eyes as the people of the community lined up, their words of denial dying on their tongues, ready to follow Eli’s words.

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