Stormi’s POV
The moment the light consumed me, I felt everything shift.
The pain, the exhaustion, the overwhelming weight of the battle–it all faded. The battlefield, the cries of my people, my mates calling my name… all of it disappeared.
And then, there was silence.
The light that had consumed me faded, and for a moment, I drifted in darkness.
There was no pain, no weight on my body, just a sense of floating through endless nothingness. I tried to move, but there was no gravity, no ground beneath my feet, no air in my lungs.
Then, like a distant memory, I saw it–a soft silver glow in the far distance. It pulsed like a heartbeat, drawing me in.
I didn’t know how, I reached for it, my body moving without effort, and suddenly the darkness broke apart. It shattered like fragile glass, revealing a world bathed in soft moonlight.
A rush of silver mist and soft moonlight flooded my vision, and before I knew it, my feet were touching solid ground.
1 knew this place.
I have been here before. And it felt like home.
The grass beneath my feet shimmered like stardust, a vast silver field stretching as far as the eye could see. The sky above was endless night, sprinkled with stars that flickered like tiny lanterns. A gentle breeze carried the scent of lavender and rain–a scent I knew all too well.
Then, I saw her.
Standing just a few feet away, Mariah watched me with a warm, knowing smile.
My breath caught.
She looked exactly as I last saw her–dark locks tied in a bun, deep brown eyes filled with love and warmth. She wore a simple, flowing gown, and her tattoos shimmered like glitter.
Tears burned my eyes.
“Mariah!” I breathed.
She opened her arms, and that was all it took. I ran to her.
I threw myself into her embrace, clutching at her like she might disappear if I let go. She held me tightly, her hands stroking my hair the way she used to when I was a child.
“I did it,” I whispered my voice trembling. “I stopped her. The war is over.”
Mariah pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with pride and sorrow. “Yes, you did, my love.”
A sob broke from my throat.
Chapter 225
A sigh of relief escaped me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax.I had given everything. I had done what I was meant to do. The prophecy had been fulfilled.
The war was over.
The battle had been fought.
And now…
“I can stay, right?” I asked hesitantly, pulling back to look at her.
Mariah’s smile faltered just slightly.
Something in her expression shifted, and suddenly, I knew.
A cold feeling settled in my chest. “Mariah… I can stay, right?”
Mariah pressed her lips.
A deep, uneasy feeling settled in my chest.
She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she cupped my face gently, her thumbs brushing away the tears on my cheeks.
“Oh, my sweet girl,” she murmured, her voice filled with something close to regret. “Not yet.”
I stiffened.
My fingers curled into her arms. “What?”
Mariah sighed, resting her forehead against mine. “There’s been a change of plans.”
“But…”
“I know my baby.” Mariah shushed me softly, pressing a warm kiss to my forehead.
My heart dropped.
“No.” My voice cracked. I pulled back, shaking my head. “No. I fulfilled my prophecy. I gave everything. I did what I was supposed to do! I’m supposed to be here! With you!.”
Mariah’s eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite name. “Stormi…
“No!” My voice rose, panic clawing its way into my chest. “I died! I felt it! I sacrificed everything to bring the Moon Goddess back–I should here with you!”
Mariah’s expression softened, but there was a firmness in her eyes. know, my love. But… you’re not done yet.”
I felt my breath hitch. “What do you mean?”
Mariah took my hands, squeezing them gently. “Your fight is not over.”
I shook my head violently. “Yes, it is.” My voice cracked. “It has to be”
Mariah didn’t argue. She just gave me that soft, patient smile–the same one she had always given me when I was younger, when she knew something I didn’t.
Chapter 225
“Stormi, you were never meant to stay here,” she said softly. “Not yet.”
I felt something tighten in my chest.
She reached up and pressed a hand over my heart. “Do you feel that?”
I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding beneath her palm. “What is this?”
Mariah’s eyes shimmered with something deep and endless. “It’s life.”
“No.” I shook my head desperately. “No, that’s not possible. I-‘
Mariah leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You are not done living, my love.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything-
Everything went black.
Chapter Comments
Jessica Ference
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I really am enjoying this book. however Stormi is really pissing me off with her saying she doesn’t want to go back to her mates. I don’t understand why she is mad to go ba…
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