58. Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Emma
E mma’s hand was slick with sweat as she gripped Eudora’s potion, her fingers trembling slightly around the cool, smooth glass. This was it—the very thing that would bring her so close to death that she would straddle the thin line between the land of the living and beyond the veil.
The thought made her stomach twist into knots, an anxious churning that wouldn’t subside no matter how many deep breaths she took. Her free hand pressed against her abdomen, trying in vain to still the waves of nausea that rolled through her. But they didn’t stop. Didn’t subside a bit as the weight of what she was about to do settled heavily on her shoulders.
She couldn’t back down. So many lives depended on her being brave. And besides, Thomas would keep her safe. She was as certain of it as she was certain that Lea was going to be furious to see them walk through the portal with Evangeline.
The courtyard buzzed with the low murmur of their gathered forces, the soldiers’ emotions mixing and pounding against her skin in a way that made her feel as if she was covered in bugs. Shivering at the thought, she glanced at Thomas, his face a mix of determination and concern.
The army had been alerted. Thomas had made sure of that, and Gray’s generals had agreed to his plan without hesitation. They, too, had risked their lives to join this war and fight against the tyranny and wickedness poisoning their world. They owed Gray more than could ever be repaid. He’d sacrificed so much for them—for all of them. It was absurd to think they would allow him or his mate to face this battle alone.
Emma’s gaze shifted to Evangeline standing at the center of the courtyard, her lips moving in a quiet, relentless chant. Her hands were raised before her, trembling slightly as she summoned the ancient magic she’d been working so tirelessly to master. The air around her shimmered, and a portal began to take shape, flickering in and out, wavering like a mirage until it solidified with a click . It was both mesmerizing and terrifying, a swirling vortex of light and shadow suspended in the air like water frozen in time.
Emma couldn’t tear her eyes away from it. The portal was beautiful. Bright with an ethereal glow that illuminated the darkened courtyard and casted strange, shifting shadows across the grass. The sight sent a chill across Emma’s skin, and her heart pounded faster, her grip tightening on the vial as if it might slip through her fingers.
Evangeline’s voice grew louder, her chanting more urgent, and the portal began to expand, widening until it was large enough for six men to pass through shoulder to shoulder. Her magic hung heavy in the air, a palpable force that hummed against Emma’s skin, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.
Finally, Evangeline dropped her arms, exhaling a long, slow breath as the portal stabilized. She wiped her brow, then the back of her neck, her movements sluggish and exhausted. The effort it had taken to create the portal was obvious. It had drained her—taken something from her that she couldn’t easily replace. Evangeline had been pouring herself into creating this portal, using power that wasn’t even hers to do it, and it was clear it was taking a toll on her body.
"Emma?" Evangeline’s voice broke through the tension, shaky but determined.
Emma stepped forward, her legs wobbling as if they might give out. "Right here," she answered, her voice sounding small and scared, even to her own ears. She reached for Evangeline’s hand, basking in the confidence and strength radiating off of her.
"Good," Evangeline said, squeezing her hand. "Our army is coming?"
Emma nodded, her heart lifting slightly at the thought. "They’re lining up around us now."
"Good. I can hear them." A faint smile tugged at Evangeline’s lips. "There are many."
"There are," Emma agreed, her eyes scanning the courtyard as pride swelled in her heart.
Evangeline squeezed her hand. "You and I will go first. Thomas should stay back, for now. We don’t need the army until Lea and I have found Alaric." But Before Emma could respond, Thomas stepped forward, his voice firm.
"I go where Emma goes."
Evangeline pursed her lips, her brow furrowing.
"Lea will be suspicious if he’s not with me," Emma reached for Thomas’s hand, suddenly desperate to have him beside her. She didn’t want to be alone as she took the potion, couldn’t bear to not have him with her as she allowed herself to be brought to the brink of death. "He’s stayed by my side through everything. That wouldn’t change just because I’m coming now. We’ll tell her I’m the backup plan. I’ll take the potion so that if she—" she took a deep breath. "If she fails to kill him before—" The words caught in her throat, and she had to swallow hard to force them out. "If she fails, she can still kill him, so long as she dies with a weapon in her hand. We’ll tell her I had to come, and that Thomas wouldn’t let me go without him."
The weight of those words pressed down on Emma’s shoulders, her chest tightening painfully. The possibility that Lea might fail was too real, too terrifying, but they had to be prepared for it. Emma couldn’t let herself falter. Not now.
Evangeline studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well."
"When should the army follow?" Emma asked, trying to focus on the logistics of the battle instead of the growing knot of fear in her stomach.
Evangeline sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I don’t know. I’ve seen our soldiers with us, but not when they arrive. They need to be ready, though. Knowing Eudora, I don’t believe for a second she won’t have extra forces waiting."
Thomas squeezed her hand. "I can let the army know when to come. Once we see more than Alaric and Eudora."
Evangeline tilted her head. "How?"
"I’ve placed a warning system on certain weapons—Gray’s, Janelle’s, the generals’. I’ve been working on it for weeks now, as a backup. A way to communicate when we’re apart. When we need them, I can send a signal. Their weapons will hum, vibrate, until I make them stop."
Evangeline gave him a small nod of approval. "That was wise. And I think it will work. The army will stay back unless we call for them. Tell the generals they are not to come until they get your signal."
Thomas wasted no time, darting to the generals lined up behind him as Evangeline grabbed Emma’s hands again. "Lea is waiting... we can’t delay any longer. I won’t let her face Alaric without me."
Emma swallowed, the movement painful. Her throat felt tight, like it was closing in on itself, and her skin itched with anxiety. "Evangeline. Do you think… Tell me you’ve seen it. Tell me it’s going to be okay," Emma said, tears pricking the backs of her eyes.
Evangeline looked away, her attention shifting back to the portal, her expression unreadable. "I’ve seen many, many things. Now, we must act, and see where the last petal falls."
"I... I’m afraid," Emma admitted, her voice barely a whisper. The fear had been clawing at her for days, but now, standing on the precipice of what might be their final stand, it threatened to overwhelm her.
"Do you have the moonflowers?" Evangeline asked.
"Yes," Emma replied. "Thomas made sure everyone has one. He has an extra for you, too."
"Good," Evangeline said softly, reaching up to cup her cheek. "As long as you have the petal, you’ll be fine. I’ve seen you alive after the battle."
But Emma’s fear ran deeper than just for herself. She wasn’t afraid of dying—at least, not for her own sake. It was for her friends, for her mother, and the kingdom that hung in the balance. For the souls of those fighting on both sides. Even those under Alaric’s control. Death’s promise pressed down on her like a boulder, the certainty of it pushing on her shoulders until her body threatened to buckle beneath it. She could feel it creeping closer, dark and inescapable.
"Emma?"
Emma turned as Elise squeezed through a group of soldiers and rushed to her side. She grabbed Emma’s arms and pulled her into a hug.
"Mom!" Emma cried, her tears spilling over at seeing her mother. She’d tried to find her in the kitchens, but had to give up her search once the soldiers had begun gathering in the courtyard.
"It’s true then?" Elise said into her ear as she squeezed her impossibly tighter. "You’re leaving to fight Alaric?"
"I’m not fighting. I’ll be okay," Emma said, but her voice broke.
Elise finally pulled back, her eyes full of tears. "Will asking you not to go change anything?" she asked, searching Emma’s eyes. Emma knew what she was looking for: any hint of doubt or uncertainty. Any reason to try to convince her to stay.
Emma shook her head. "I’m sorry, Mom—"
"No. You have nothing to be sorry for. I am so proud of you. Of the woman you’ve become." She reached out and cupped Emma’s cheek. "If I thought I could change your mind, I’d take you far away from here in an instant. But I will never be angry with you for doing what you think is right. I could never be disappointed in you for following your destiny."
Emma couldn’t speak, her words stuck behind a sob she was struggling to hold in.
"I love you, Emma. I have faith you’ll be okay." She paused. "Where’s Thomas?" Evangeline said, looking around to find him.
"I’m here." Thomas appeared just behind them, and Emma’s heart slowed as he slipped his hand into hers. His touch was warm. Steady. And she savored it, allowing it to ground her.
Elise kissed Emma’s forehead, then hugged Thomas tightly. "You take care of my girl," she whispered in his ear.
"With all I have," Thomas promised, squeezing Emma’s hand.
With a sniffle she tried to hide, Elise turned away. "Be safe. I’ll be right here," she said, moving just to the other side of the gathering soldiers.
"We’re going to be fine," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet conviction that made her heart ache. "I promise you, I’ll keep you safe."
Emma forced a smile, though it felt hollow. She wanted to believe him. Needed to believe him. Desperately. But there was no room for certainty in war. Especially not when Alaric and Eudora were involved.
"Ready?" Evangeline asked, her voice suddenly shaky with anxiety.
Emma nodded, letting go of Thomas’s hand to grab her dagger, the other still tight around the cold glass of the potion.
Thomas gave her a nod of approval, and Emma’s chest warmed. "Ready," she said, the words gritty in her mouth.
But before they could move, Thomas stopped her. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing a soft line along her skin. "I just need to tell you that I love you," he said quietly. "I do."
The world seemed to pause for a moment, and Emma’s breath caught in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes, stinging and blurring her vision as Thomas’s emotions pulsed against Emma’s skin—the feeling she had sensed from him all this time.
It was love. Not something close to love, but true, unconditional love. Deep, selfless love. The kind that made her heart swell and break all at once.
She wanted to tell him she loved him, too, that she had always loved him, but the words were stuck in her throat, tangled up with the emotions radiating from all around her. Terror and fear and anger and anticipation and… love.
Before she could speak, Thomas pulled her forward, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, full of promise and hope and, once again, love. Emma kissed him back, a whimper leaving her throat as a tear trailed down her cheek. Thomas pulled back, brushing the tear away before leading her through the portal to the place where, one way or another, the war would end.
Walking through the portal was no different from stepping through a doorway. There was no gust of wind, no flicker of light to mark the transition—just a single step forward, and suddenly the world shifted. Emma blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the freezing rain and sudden darkness of the Wicked Wood, an oppressive gloom settling over her like a thick, suffocating blanket. A shiver ran down her spine as the feeling of icy fingers brushing the back of her neck made her stomach turn. Every nerve in her body went taut with tension, her senses instantly alert to the danger that lurked in the shadows.
A low rumble of growls sounded as Lea turned, her eyes narrowing as Emma and Thomas appeared. A pack of fenrir surrounded them, their glowing eyes narrowing in on Emma and Thomas as they bared their enormous teeth. Thomas pulled her backward, and she tried to make herself smaller.
Lea held up a hand, and the fenrir paused, but it did nothing to ease Emma’s nerves. Saliva still dripped from their massive teeth, and their muscles were still tense, as if just waiting for permission to attack. Fire crackled through the grass toward them, stopping only inches from their toes.
"What. Have. You. Done?" Lea’s voice was like the crack of a whip, her gaze locking onto Evangeline. Flames grew all around her, wrapping up Lea’s body and reaching toward the trees. "This wasn’t the plan."
Evangeline suffocated Lea’s flames and stepped forward with her hands outstretched. "I’m aware of that," she said calmly, but Emma didn’t miss the exhaustion in her tone. "Things change. Visions change. We need them here, Lea. We need Emma. Because…" Evangeline trailed off as if to speak her fears was to risk them becoming the truth.
Lea’s face went pale. "Say it." Her words cut through the air like a flash of lightning, her eyes blazing with an intensity that made Thomas step in front of Emma.
Evangeline pressed her lips together, her shoulders hunching forward. "It’s just a precaution," she said, her voice shaking with the threat of tears.
Emma could feel the desperation washing off Evangeline. The way she hoped Lea wouldn’t blame her for what was to happen. Her fear that she wouldn’t listen, or that one of her unspeakable visions would come true.
"I’m just here to help, Lea." Emma stepped around Thomas, meeting Lea’s eyes. "If you get hurt—"
"If I die," Lea interrupted, her voice cold, but resigned. The fenrir once again began to growl, a terrifying chorus of predatory power. "You can say it. We all know it’s a possibility."
The words hung between them, heavy as the air in the Wicked Wood. It wrapped around Emma’s chest, threatening to suffocate her as the weight of Lea’s words settled on her shoulders. She wanted to speak. Wanted to tell Lea that everything was going to be okay, and that she was certain she’d succeed, but her voice wouldn’t work.
"If the worst happens—if Alaric overpowers you—you will still be able to deliver the final blow if Emma is tethered to the other side. You’ll still get eternity with your mate, Lea. Even if you don’t get to live," Thomas said, his voice so sad it made Emma want to cry.
Lea’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. For a moment, her face softened, a flicker of vulnerability passing over her features before she steeled herself once again. "I won’t fail," she said, her voice low but filled with determination. "I can’t." She glanced at Emma, her eyes briefly softening. "But thank you. For this… precaution."
Emma could feel the tension in Lea’s words, the weight of what was coming etched into each syllable. Her heart pounded against her ribs, and she forced herself to relax her grip on the vial in her hand, worried it would shatter.
"Do you have your petals?" Lea asked, meeting each of their eyes.
"Yes," Thomas confirmed. "I have several." He patted his hip with a small, reassuring smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Lea nodded, her jaw tightening as she squared her shoulders. "Good. Then let’s not waste any more time." She looked at each of them in turn, her eyes lingering on Emma. "I’ll see you soon," she said, her voice breaking. "Stay safe. Stay hidden."
Emma stepped forward, her heart hammering harder by the second. "Wait," she said, holding up the potion. "You don’t know where Alaric is. Let me take it first, before you leave. I don’t want to risk you stumbling upon him before I’m tethering the worlds."
Lea paused, her eyes flickering between Emma and the vial. There was a brief hesitation, a moment of silent understanding between them, before Lea nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice quieter now, laced with something close to fear, though she hid it well. "Do it quickly."
Emma pulled the stopper from the vial, her hand trembling as she brought it to her lips. The smell of the potion was familiar, and it made her subconscious revolt as it remembered the last time she had taken it. She leaned into Thomas’s arms, seeking comfort in his familiar warmth. He held her close, his hand resting gently against her back and his heart pounding furiously, his breathing rapid.
"Finally. You’ve found us at last, Azalea." a voice echoed through the trees, cold and mocking, bouncing around the branches so that it was impossible to know where it came from.
Eudora.
Lea’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Within seconds, shadows spilled from her body like ink, twisting through the trees and wrapping the four of them in a thick, protective shroud of darkness. Thomas pulled Emma down into the mud, pinning her against the rough bark of a tree, his body shielding hers from whatever danger lurked beyond the shadows.
"Show yourself," Lea growled, spinning in a circle, rain drops flying from her hair as she whipped her head around, searching for the witch.
"Where’s the fun in that?" Eudora answered—a cruel, mocking cackle that sent shivers down Emma’s spine. A puff of smoke appeared in front of them, swirling in the air before a heron emerged from the haze, its wings cutting through the shadows like a blade. It soared over their heads, disappearing behind another tree.
"I could be anywhere," Eudora said, her voice disembodied, slipping through the shadows like a snake. The heron reappeared, circling above them before swooping down, its wings nearly brushing Emma’s head. She ducked instinctively, her heart pounding as she pressed herself tighter against the tree, praying the shadows would be enough to hide them.
Lea flung a ball of fire at the heron, but once again it vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a whisper of smoke.
"You want to end this?" Eudora’s voice called out from all around them, somehow everywhere and nowhere all at once, her laughter echoing through the trees. "Then end it. You know where he waits."
Lea didn’t hesitate. She stalked forward, her eyes blazing with determination, her every step filled with purpose. Evangeline followed close behind, a trail of fire flickering in their wake, the flames licking the tree’s dark roots before sputtering out in the mud and rain.
The fenrir remained behind, blocking Emma and Thomas from following her, but it didn’t matter. They had no plans to try to get to Alaric. That wasn’t their part in this battle. Her part was cold in her hand, almost vibrating as if begging her to drink it before it was too late. Emma looked up at Thomas, her hands trembling as she raised the vial once again. "Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Be safe. Be smart. "
Thomas cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. His touch calmed her racing heart, and he leaned down, his lips brushing against hers, filled with unspoken promises. It was over too soon, but his love lingered on her lips, flooding her body and wrapping around her like a protective shield.
"I’ll see you on the other side," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Emma had no words. There was no need for them. Thomas knew how she felt—she could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way his hand scraped against her skin, in the way his heart seemed to beat in time with hers. Together, they were a force, stronger than any magic or darkness that might try to tear them apart.
She stared into his eyes for a moment longer, her heart thundering in her chest, before tipping the vial back. The potion was bitter, coating her tongue and throat with a metallic taste that made her stomach twist. Almost instantly, her vision blurred, her limbs growing heavy as the world around her tilted. She tried to speak, but consciousness slipped away too quickly. The last thing she felt was a strange, unfamiliar aftertaste—a warning, and the only sign that this was not the same potion as the one Eudora had given her before.