I nodded, even though he couldn''t see it, and forced my attention inward.


    The chaos faded another slowly.


    As my head cleared, the world sharpened around me-the shattered stone, the scorch marks where magic had struck, warriors keeping their distance now, watching me with wary relief.


    Shame twisted in my chest.


    “I didn''t mean to,” I said brokenly. "I was scared and I-”


    “I know,” ric said. No judgment. No hesitation. "You survived. That''s enough."


    The magic settled further, finally contained.


    I felt his presence recede, not fadingpletely, but moving away. Wherever he was, he was fighting. He had to focus on that, not on me. There wasn''t time right now for us to talk this through.


    I let go of the connection and tried to focus on the moment. The chaos all around me as fighting continued on the lower floor of the packhouse.


    And then-


    Something warm brushed against me.


    At first, I thought it was memory. Grief rising in the quiet left behind by panic. The echo of something I''d lost resurfacing in the stillness.


    But the sensation deepened.


    Softened.


    It wasn''t sharp or burning like the goddess''s power. It didn''t press or demand. It held.


    My breath caught painfully in my throat.


    No.


    The presence wrapped around me gently, familiar in a way that made my chest ache. Like arms I had known once. Like safety I''d forgotten how to name.


    I shook my head, tears blurring my vision.


    "This isn''t-" I whispered.


    The warmth remained.


    Steady. Certain.


    I knew this feeling. When I''d first started to discover my connection to the goddess,


    this was the presence that had guided me through.


    "Mom?" The word slipped out before I could stop it.


    The magic hummed in response.


    And then I heard her.


    Not loud. Not distant.


    Exactly as I remembered. A voice that I thought I''d never hear again after thest vision. I thought that she had passed on.


    "You are not alone," my mother''s voice said softly.


    The sound of it shattered me.


    A sob tore free as I folded inward, clutching at myself as if I mighte apart otherwise.


    “I thought I thought I''d never hear you again,” I choked.


    Her presence pressed closer, wordlessfort wrapping around my heart.


    "Never alone," she said gently.


    I felt her threaded through the magic-not separate from it, but distinct. Warm where


    the goddess was vast. Personal where the power was impersonal. Love where there had been only force.


    I wanted to ask everything.


    How are you here?


    Why now?


    Have you been watching me all this time?


    But before I could shape the questions, something changed.


    ric felt her, too. I could feel the pulse of his magic, the spike in emotion.


    For a moment, it felt like something passed between them. Something important that I couldn''t hear, couldn''t


    follow.


    Then, almost reluctantly, ric''s presence faded again.


    As it did, hers strengthened. All at once, she changed from a feeling to a being standing by my side.


    I stared at her. Silvery, ill-defined at the edges. Not a ghost, but a vision that wasn''t


    really there. At least, notpletely.


    The moment stretched, fragile and luminous.


    And with horrifying rity, I understood.


    It wasn''t a coincidence that she''d arrived now. She wasn''t just here to offerfort.


    It was preparation. She was here as a guide.


    Fear iced my veins.


    The words of the prophecy whispered through my mind again. The blood of Moonstone will be paid.


    The sound of the fighting around me seemed to rush back all at once. Grunts, shouts, and howls. The sickening thud of blows, the tearing of teeth......


    This was a war, and it was all because of me. All because Felicity wanted me dead, all of these people were being hurt because she wanted to hurt me.


    I couldn''t let it go on. It was my responsibility to make sure this ended with the least amount of bloodshed as possible.


    I had already suspected that I would die because of this, but the confirmation was painful. I wanted Nn by my side right now, as selfish as that was.


    I wanted him to hold me, wanted to tell him so many things.


    But he was on the front lines, fighting to protect our home. Right now, I had to face


    this alone. I had to hold on as long as I could.


    No matter how this would end, no matter how inevitable it was.


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.