Pride surged through me. I’d never felt so important before.Icould be the ones to save the Elves— the prince that could lead my people to heaven. My birth family needed me, and I could finally do some damn good.
But my pride quickly twisted to resentment. There was more to the prophecy than anyone knew— the piece that Maddie had given me.
A choice will be made by the twin of her soul
To save her and damn the realm
Or curse her, and save us all
A fate worse than death
Is the chosen one’s destiny.
They didn’t know it, but the emperor was asking me to choose between the Elves… and Ava.
“So, we just need to find the rest of the keys, and the Elves will be saved!” Ava cried, sounding thrilled.
“Yes,” Emperor Cassiel said. “But finding the keys to the doorway has proven to be an impossible endeavor.”
“We already have three,” Ava blurted.
“Three?” he breathed, like he couldn’t believe it.
It was then a male voice cut in from the other side of the throne room. “He’s here?”
Heavy footsteps rushed into the room. “Forgive me. I’ve only just heard.”
“Ah, yes,” Emperor Cassiel said calmly. “So nice of you to join us.”
The man approached me and took my face in his shaking hands. The movement made me go still. I didn’t know what was happening, until he spoke in a broken voice. “Charlie,” he breathed.
“Cameron, give the boy some space to breathe,” Emperor Cassiel pressed.
“No,” Cameron protested. “I’ve waited too long to see him again. I want to hold my son.”
My mind went completely blank. I couldn’t believe it— this was just too much to bear. “Dad?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ava-Marie
Finding Forevermore was nothing compared to the bombshell that had just been dropped.
It was unfathomable. After twenty years, Charlie’s dad was still alive.
Cameron and Charlie shared some features, but his skin was lighter, and his hair was brown instead of black. But at the same time… the way he moved wasso muchlike Charlie.
Cameron’s lip wobbled as he observed Charlie’s features. “By the Goddesses, you look just like your mother.”
Cameron went to take Charlie into an embrace, but that didn’t work, because Charlie reacted. His body stiffened, and immediately, I knew this wasn’t going to be good.
“Get the hell away from me!” Charlie pushed him away. Cameron staggered backward, his expression wounded, as if he’d expected this situation to go much differently.
Charlie took a few steps backward, breathing raggedly. Oberi stepped in front of Charlie, lowering her horn as if telling Cameron not to take a step closer.
Marcus and Kallie looked between them, not sure of what to do. They glanced at me, obviously expecting me to do something. I stepped beside Oberi.
“You’re not going to touch him,” I said harshly.
