The waves began to rise, rolling, thrashing and returning back to the shore, returning to me, to the land. The air stilled, and I could feel the force of the destruction looming.
Then a bright golden light shimmered in the blackening sky.
“Wait!” said a voice. Familiar. “Wait.”
The light continued to grow, and I had to cover my eyes to block it. To keep it from blinding me.
I stumbled backwards.
“Release the waters. Now. Do not destroy this world. Remember who you are. You are Goddess of the Red Ray of Light,” said the voice.
I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t want to care. But then the light touched down in front of me, and took shape.
The shape of a man. He looked so familiar, with eyes that were a bright brilliant green.
Every part of him glowed with light.
“Ani janam ra,”he said, and only then did I realize he’d been speaking in High Lumerian the entire time. I’d been translating unconsciously. But that phrase, that one phrase, “I know you,” had pulled me back.
“Rhyan?” I asked, tears streaming down my face.
“Release the waves,Mekara,” he said. “Release them. Trust me.”
I deflated. The power was leaving me. And I released my hold. All at once, I felt dizzy and weak. TheRakashonimhad finally ended. My power was drained.
“It’s done.” I started for him then, and froze. The light was lessening and more of his features were coming into focus. His hair curled the way it always had, but it was golden, and his eyes were a brilliant shade of green, but not Rhyan’s green. His face was similar in structure, the features reminiscent of Rhyan’s, but they weren’t his. His normally pale skin was tanned, golden.
I stepped back. “You’re not Rhyan.”
He smiled sadly, and reached out a hand to mine, clasping our fingers together. Then his glow subsided completely.
“No, I am not Rhyan. Not at the moment.”
I froze, my heart thundering. “What do you mean not at the moment? Who are you?”
Then he smiled, his eyes raking me up and down in a way that felt oddly familiar, like something Rhyan would do. He squeezed my hand, and then released me, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He was out of breath, his face turning red. It was so like Rhyan after a jump. He fell to his knees, his hands opening and closing in his lap.
I gasped.
It was the exact same thing I’d seen Rhyan do when he was first remembering his past life. The same exact movement and position I’d seen of Rhyan in my dream all those months ago. I’d been in the temple and he’d fallen.
I can cool you with my waters, I’d said in the dream.You don’t have to burn.
“You’re the fire,” said the stranger, taking Rhyan’s words out of my mind. Then he shook his head in disbelief. “I didn’t think it was possible. Didn’t think I’d make it intime. It’s not allowed anymore.” He swallowed roughly. “It’s been ages since I was down here. Since I took physical form.”
I stepped back. “Where’s Rhyan?”
“Numeria currently. At least, that’s where his body is.”
I shuddered, a sob racking through my chest.
“But,” the stranger said, “his soul is somewhere else. Not of this realm. That’s why I think I could do it.” He nodded. “Yes. That’s why I’m here. How I took form. Returned.”
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice shaking.
Shakily, he rose to his feet and bowed, his green eyes blazing. “I am Auriel.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
