Ever since getting cursed with immortality, my life had always been a battle.Livingwas a war that I had desperately tried to lose many times…and now everything was different because I hadthem.
It was unheard of for me to put so much of my own spirit and emotion into others, but I couldn’t help it. I had fallen truly in love with them, down to my spirit.
Closing my eyes, I let the cool breeze wash over me, feeling the water droplets from the waterfall misting my face. The earth beneath me hummed with magic and life, like a plant that had finally been given enough water and sunlight to flourish.
“Do you remember when that guard snitched on Jasper for bringing back the skull of the traitor a few years ago?” Casper chuckled, tearing a bite off his sandwich and chewing it.
“Don’t remind me.” Jasper groaned, shoving his sandwich into his mouth aggressively.
“Why’d they snitch?” I asked between bites.
“She thought she’d get Jasper in trouble.” Silas shook his head. “Woman was a bitch, but the emperor was the one who told Jasper to kill the guy. Jasper just brought the skull back as a trophy.”
“Emperor Lloyd was less than impressed that it was just his skull and not recognizable, but I enjoyed melting off his flesh with a potion Bastian can make.” Jasper’s eyes twinkled.
“But you didn’t get in trouble or anything,” Aimon pointed out.
Jasper cackled. “Nope, but the guard did.”
“As she should’ve.” I frowned. “Why’d she cause problems like that?”
“She was pissed the twins turned her down,” Silas told me.
Jealousy knotted my gut and flushed down the bond, but the guys smirked. “She hit on you?”
“I know it’s wild, but womenhavehit on us, sunshine.” Casper shrugged, swallowing the last bite of his food.
“But none have interested us for anything long-term.” Jasper finished up his sandwich. “Untilyou.”
Heat spread across my cheeks. It was a strange feeling, being in love with five mages, but it was also exhilarating. I had never felt so alive in my entire life—even before my curse.
“I feel blessed that we found each other,” I murmured. "I can't imagine my life without you now."
The words were true, and they knew it from the sincerity bleeding into the bond. I couldn't go back to a life of solitude and fear now that I had them. It was like they had opened up a part of me that I didn't know existed anymore and filled it with light and love.
"I think we've kept you on the rock long enough," Aimon said, standing up and holding out his hand. “You were a good girl for finishing your sandwich. Let's go for a swim."
“You make the best sandwiches.” I took his hand, and he pulled me up.
The guys finished off their sandwiches before joining us.
My bare feet hit the soft grass, and the power of earth swelled up through me, and the power of wind caressed my skin and hair gently.
Water pulled at my spirit, beckoning me to come closer.
All of my phantom cats were too preoccupied with their favorite elements to care about anything else, and I loved that for them.
We stood at the edge of the crystal-clear pool, and the water was more than tempting. It was nestled within a secluded grotto, its waters glistening under the gentle rays of the sun that filtered through the thick canopy of trees. Shafts of light danced on the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing play of shadows and reflections on the rocky walls.
“It’s amazing out here,” I murmured, shutting my eyes and letting my magic flow.
“Told you this was a good idea,” Jasper bragged.
“It wasmyidea,” Silas muttered.
“Well,ouridea,” Aimon corrected.
“I don’t care whose idea it was.Thank you.” I let my wind magic whip my clothes off before I dove into the water, and the cool caress of the water submerged me.
