48. Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Lea
L ea only had a few moments to spare as she hurried down the stone corridor toward Evangeline's room. Her heels clicked in a rapid rhythm, a steady metronome to remind her how little time she had left. Gray was busy with last-minute plans—ensuring the horses were being readied and packed, briefing his generals on the plan to mobilize the army if and when Alaric was found… If she was going to speak with Evangeline, now was her only chance.
Before her feet even caught up with her body, Lea leaned forward and rapped her knuckles on the door. She waited two seconds, then pushed inside. There was no time for manners.
"Who's there? Lea? Is that you?" Evangeline asked from where she stood by the window, and once again, Lea felt the odd sensation of awe that her mother knew who she was and what she was doing, even without her sight.
"It's me," Lea confirmed, closing the door behind her. "I don't have long."
"It's time then?" Evangeline asked.
"Our men confirmed Alaric has at least four outposts, all of them surrounding the Wicked Wood’s border. He has to be somewhere in that area. We're splitting up," Lea explained.
"Good," Evangeline said. "That must be why I've been unable to see much in the next few days. There are too many variables. I'll pack my things—"
"No," Lea interrupted. "If I bring you along, Gray will be suspicious."
"But you’ll need me there with you—to hold death back so you can kill Alaric."
"I know," Lea said. "But I have an idea. I know you created the portal for the king to enter Calir," Lea said.
Evangeline's cheeks flushed, the red hue creeping down her neck with what Lea assumed was shame. "There's no time for regret. Could you do it again?"
Evangeline nodded. "If I start preparing now. It would take some time, but yes. Where will this portal lead?"
"The outposts all surround the border of the Wicked Wood. If I had to guess, he’s somewhere in there," Lea said, avoiding giving her too much information in case it could tip off Eudora or put Genevieve at risk. "You and I… Our magic is similar. From the gods. We can both hold off death. I’m hoping you can do something else only I can…"
"Okay…" Evangeline tilted her head.
"When I give someone a piece of my magic, it links us, connects us in a way that allows me to see through their eyes. If you can give me the smallest kernel of yours, I can do the same for you. When I need you, you'll feel a tug—like a rope in your hand, but connected to your chest. Just follow it, and you’ll see. If I could show you where he is, somewhere in the Wicked Wood, do you think you would recognize it?"
"I know the Wicked Wood like the back of my hand. I hid within it for years."
"Then you should be able to find me when I need you. When it's time, come to me through the portal."
Evangeline pressed her lips together. "Are you certain this is the path forward?"
"It's the best option we have. The only option," Lea said, her fingers drifting up to the crown of vines wrapped around her head. "Alaric is growing stronger."
"You'll have to escape Gray," Evangeline said. "He won’t let us go alone willingly."
"I know. I have a plan for that, too." Lea’s heart sank, but she pushed the feeling away. "Your magic. Will you try to give me a piece?"
"Of course. What do I do?" Evangeline walked forward, gliding around the small footstool as if she could see it clearly.
"Find your magic and isolate it," Lea instructed. "Imagine a blade or fire, something that can slice through it. Cut away the smallest piece you can, push it into my skin, and try to merge it with my own magic."
Evangeline nodded, clenching her jaw and clearing her throat. Lea’s heart thundered in her ears as Evangeline’s cold fingers touched hers. She forced herself to take slow, deep breaths, opening herself up to Evangeline’s magic. Lea’s stomach swirled with anxiety, hoping with all she had that this would work.
She sighed in relief when, after less than ten seconds, she felt it. Evangeline’s power.
It was so familiar, yet different from her own—dark mixed with light, sunset mixed with sunrise, cold water on a hot day, and fresh-baked bread combined with a fiery need for vengeance.
Lea felt a flash of warmth the moment it slipped inside her skin, flowing through her limbs and settling in the vast expanse of her chest.
Lea squeezed Evangeline’s hands. "Thank you. Thank you for doing this for me," Lea said .
"I would do anything for you," Evangeline replied. "Which is why I need to say something. Something you’re not going to like, or agree with."
Lea’s lungs squeezed with panic, sweat breaking out on her neck and palms. Was she going to say she wouldn’t help her after all? Her entire plan hinged on keeping death away long enough for her to kill Alaric.
"Please don’t change your mind. I need you." Lea’s voice was full of panic, but she couldn’t seem to calm herself enough to lower her tone.
"It’s not that. It's…" she trailed off, and Lea was overcome with the sudden urge to shake her. To force her to spit out whatever she was trying to say and end the torture.
"I tried taking someone’s magic," she began, wringing her hands. "From Thomas. He agreed, after I said it was for you. But I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t even get past his skin. It’s clear that you are the only one capable, the one fated to battle Alaric. Good versus evil, once and for all. But I have seen the future. You do not survive it, Lea. You don’t survive taking it all, because that is how you return it to the earth. Through death."
Lea’s heart sank. She knew this already, of course. The goddess had said as much. But she’d also said it was possible. That there was a way for her to survive.
"You can’t change my mind," she said firmly. "If it’s the only way—"
"Give the magic to me," Evangeline interrupted her. "Please."
Lea opened her mouth to answer, to tell her she was out of her mind, but her words were thick in her throat.
Was this what the goddess had been hinting at? Was it possible this was the answer she’d been searching for? Lea rubbed her forehead, a sudden ache pounding behind her eyes.
"It would kill you. I can’t," Lea said, her voice finally working, but coming out shaky and unsure.
"It will kill you . I have done terrible things, my sweet girl. All of this, Alaric even getting to this point… It’s my fault."
"That doesn’t mean you deserve to die!" Lea threw her arms out. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d hoped for another way. But not this. Not killing Evangeline.
"And you do?" Evangeline raised her voice, almost shouting. It was so unlike her that Lea jumped back in shock. Evangeline sighed. "Please." Her tone softened. "Please, just think about it."
Lea remained silent. Could she do it? Pass the burden on to the woman who had given birth to her? Who had sacrificed her very soul to keep her safe?
"You should go," Evangeline said with a sad smile, as if there was nothing more to say. "I need to start on the portal. And it seems you have a decision to make. But Lea," she said, reaching out to her, and Lea allowed it, taking her hands. "I want to do this for you. Let me do something good. Let me make this right."
"I don’t know if I can," Lea whispered, the backs of her eyes burning with tears.
"That’s better than a no. Stay safe," Evangeline said, letting go of her hands.
Lea nodded, unable to speak, but knowing Evangeline would sense it, regardless. She turned to walk out the door, her brain spinning and her heart aching.
"Lea?" Evangeline stopped her, wringing her hands in front of her stomach. "I love you."
Lea choked back a sob. "I love you, too," she said, the words feeling right as they fell from her mouth and sank into Evangeline’s skin.
She wasn’t sure what to do. What her decision would be. But one way or another, this war would end soon, and she was glad to know she was walking into battle with no regrets or things left unsaid .
Without another word, Lea hurried back to her room. But as she closed the door behind her, her heart felt lighter than it had in months.