The wraith’s form rippled, as if deliberating. Then it closed the final distance, placed his hazy, wavering hand over Teryn’s…
The wraith disappeared.
Hunger and yearning filled some of the next closest specters, as if the end they’d witnessed had filled them with craving. One by one, more came forward. One by one, Teryn set them free. One by one, as midday crept on and the sun moved toward the horizon, Teryn fulfilled his oath.
He was practically delirious yet again by the time the final wraith approached. But as his gaze took in the spirit before him, his mind sharpened.
It wasn’t one of the warrior wraiths. It was Emylia.
She gave him a sad smile. “Did I do enough to deserve peace?”
He met her eyes with a solemn yet earnest look. “You don’t have to do anything to earn your rest, Emylia. You never did. You chose to wander. You can choose to go home.”
Her lower lip wobbled. “I don’t feel like I did enough. All I did was cause trouble in my life, and in my death…I didn’t trust you. I tried to stop you from summoning the wraiths, but you set them free. You didn’t succumb to the allure of dark magic.”
“Not yet.” He let a corner of his mouth lift.
She sighed. “You won’t. I know it now. You’ve become something new. A human with a type of magic I’ve never seen before. A reaper of souls. I was so afraid when I first realized what you were.”
“And now?”
“I’m not afraid anymore, just…ashamed.”
“You don’t have to be ashamed,” Teryn said. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he knew what his touch would do. Just like with the wraiths, he wouldn’t force peace on her.
“Tell her I forgive her.”
Teryn startled at the sound of Cora’s voice. He turned and found her sitting on the rock, caressing Valorre’s neck. He wasn’t sure how long she’d been awake. Had she been watching him while he’d sent the wraiths home? She’d at least been present long enough to hear him say Emylia’s name, and the rest of Teryn’s side of their conversation.
Cora spoke again, tone gentle. “Tell her she has nothing left to atone for. She never did.”
He faced Emylia once more. The spirit sagged, either with relief or sorrow. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “Tell her that. Tell her I’m so sorry for what my words led Morkai to do.”
“She knows,” Teryn said, but he conveyed her message anyway.
Emylia spoke again, and this time her voice took on a fierce edge. “And tell her…tell her she’s stronger than she knows. She’s stronger than anyone who has ever underestimated her. She’s stronger than everything that could ever seek to tie her, trap her, or smother her. She’s stronger than any shadow, any darkness, any curse. Tell her that.”
A chill ran down Teryn’s spine. What did Emylia mean by that? That Cora was stronger than any curse? Was it merely wishful thinking, a desire to make things right, or was it a sign of Emylia’s magic? She’d been a seer when she’d been alive. Had she seen an end to the curse Morkai had placed upon Cora?
He shook the questions from his mind. Her words sparked a beautiful hope, but that hope was theirs regardless of the outcome. For it mattered not whether they had children of their own bloodline or chose heirs from another. Whether they ruled like their predecessors or started a revolution. He and Cora would forge their own future together. Royal politics and outdated traditions could go to the seven hells. A witch and a reaper were Lela’s queen and king. They were already breaking rules and starting anew.
Still, he conveyed Emylia’s words to Cora.
Emylia heaved another sigh, and her form sharpened slightly. Then, with a nod, she stepped closer to Teryn and held out her hand.
“I’m ready to go home,” she said, voice quavering.
Teryn’s chest tightened. He and Emylia hadn’t always seen eye to eye, but she’d helped him through one of the greatest challenges he’d faced. Taught him how to fight Morkai and reclaim his body.
She’d died for love. Fought for love. Grieved for love.
She deserved so much better.
He didn’t know a damn thing about the otherlife. Who could truly claim to know? But he hoped it would treat her well. Hoped she’d find the rest her soul so deeply deserved.
He reached for her hand. “Thank you, friend.”
She grasped his palm in a handshake he couldn’t feel.
