33. Evelyn
33
Evelyn
O ne moment, I was walking beside Rafe; the next, everything went dark. I felt a rush of wind and a weightless sensation that made my stomach lurch. My surroundings blurred and twisted until I was engulfed in shadows.
I landed on my knees, and as I pushed myself up, a chilling realization hit me—I had been here before, back when I had died in the first timeline.
An eerie, otherworldly realm surrounded me. The air was thick with an oppressive stillness, and shadows flickered like living beings.
A figure emerged from the darkness—a woman with an ethereal glow. Her presence commanded respect and awe.
“Welcome, Evelyn Everhart,” she spoke, her voice both soft and powerful.
I bowed, eyes wide. “Goddess Hecate?”
She nodded, her golden eyes mirroring mine. “Yes, child. I have brought you here to explain what you must know.”
“Where are we?” I asked.
“This is the Shadow Realm. One of your ancestors had affinities to this realm, one you now have access to. This is how I was able to summon you here,” she said with a smile.
The goddess gestured, and images formed in the swirling shadows around us. I saw a woman who looked eerily like me but fiercer, a warrior—Calla Everhart. She stood before Hecate, radiating courage and strength.
“Your ancestor Calla performed a heroic act that saved many witches but led to her exile,” Hecate explained. “To honor her bravery, I blessed her and her lineage with great power.”
The scene shifted to show Calla’s descendants over the generations—each with golden eyes and growing magical prowess.
“But nature seeks balance,” Hecate continued. “Unbeknownst to me at the time, this blessing came at a cost. Another lineage was cursed as a counterbalance.”
Images of the Thornwood witches appeared, their eyes turning grey—among them, Morgana. Each generation growing weaker than the last.
“Morgana has discovered this imbalance,” Hecate said grimly. “In her quest for power, she has turned to black magic, further disturbing the natural order.”
My heart pounded as realization hit me. “So that’s why she siphoned my magic…”
“Yes, in part,” Hecate replied. “And not just yours. This is also why you were given a second chance—to right these profound wrongs and restore balance.”
The weight of her words settled over me. My second chance wasn’t about revenge, but correcting a cosmic imbalance that had affected generations.
“I understand,” I said softly, determination rising within me.
Hecate smiled gently. “Remember, Evelyn: your journey is not just for yourself but for all those who have been affected by this imbalance. Be careful, child, as I do not know how Morgana learned of this. There might be more still unknown to us.”
I nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation.
“That is why I have bestowed upon you your five fated mates…”
“Five?” I blurted out. “Apologies, Goddess,” I said, still reeling from these revelations.
“Lean on them. You are the last of your lineage and our only hope for restoration. If you do not succeed, it could destroy everything,” she said gravely. “Not just our covens, but the entire magical world. The balance between light and dark, life and death…It would all be thrown into chaos.”
“I will do my best, Goddess,” I vowed.
She smiled and added, “Someone wants to speak with you,” and then she vanished.
Another figure emerged from the shadows—it was my mom.
She stood before me, looking just as I remembered her—warm golden eyes, long dark hair, and a gentle smile. But there was a sadness in her eyes now, a weariness that hadn’t been there before.
“Mom,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. “Is it really you?”
She nodded, opening her arms. Without hesitation, I rushed into her embrace, breathing in her familiar scent of lavender and vanilla. For a moment, I felt like a little girl again, safe in my mother’s arms.
“Oh, Evelyn,” she murmured, stroking my hair. “My brave, beautiful girl. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
I pulled back, wiping away the tears that had started to fall. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me? About our lineage, about my powers?”
She sighed, her eyes filled with regret. “We thought we were protecting you. We never imagined things would turn out this way.”
“Did you know about the imbalance, the curse?” I asked.
“No, this is new information to me. I do not know how Morgana could have found out.”
“But why make a deal with Alister?” I probed, unable to keep the hurt from my voice. “Why bind my magic?”
“Your father and I…we were scared,” she admitted. “Your powers were growing so quickly, and we knew there were those who would seek to use you for their own gain. We thought binding your magic would keep you safe until you were old enough to understand and control it.” A small smile tugged at her lips. “Alister…he’s been watching over our family for generations. When we came to him, desperate for a solution, he offered to bind your magic in exchange for your hand in marriage.”
“Did you know he was my fated mate?” I asked.
She nodded. “We did suspect it. We thought…we thought we were giving you a chance at a normal life, at least for a while. Until we could explain everything to you. We never expected to die so soon.”
I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. “Mom, I…I don’t know how to feel about all this.”
“I understand, sweetheart,” she said gently. “And I don’t expect you to forgive us right away. But I want you to know that everything we did, we did out of love for you.”
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I miss you,” I whispered. “I miss you and Dad so much!”
“We miss you too, Evelyn,” she said, cupping my face in her hands. “But we’re so proud of the witch you’ve become. You’re stronger than we ever imagined.”
“I don’t feel strong,” I admitted. “I feel…lost. Scared.”
“That’s okay,” she assured me. “Being strong doesn’t mean you’re never afraid. It means you face your fears and keep going, anyway.”
I managed a small smile. “That sounds like something Dad would say.”
She laughed softly. “It does, doesn’t it? He always did have a way with words.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. “But how? I barely understand my powers, let alone how to stop Morgana.”
My mom smiled, a fierce pride shining in her eyes. “You’re stronger than you know, Evelyn. And you’re not alone. Trust in yourself, and in those who love you. They’ll help you find the way.”
I nodded. “I’ll do my best, Mom. I promise.”
“I know you will, sweetheart,” she said, pulling me into another hug. “We believe in you. Always remember that.”
As we embraced, I felt the shadows around us start to shift and swirl.
“Mom?” I asked, panic rising in my chest. “What’s happening?”
“It’s time for you to go back,” she said, her voice already sounding distant. “Remember what I’ve told you, Evelyn. And remember that we love you, always.”
“Mom, wait!” I cried, reaching for her as she began to fade. “There’s so much more I want to ask you!”
But it was too late.
The shadows engulfed me, and I felt myself being pulled back to the world of the living. The last thing I saw was my mother’s face, smiling at me with love and pride.
I gasped as I jolted back, finding myself lying on the ground in Alister’s courtyard. Five worried faces hovered over me, then Chad hugged me profusely.
“Evelyn!” Chad exclaimed, his voice filled with worry. “You’re back. Are you okay? What happened?”
I blinked, trying to orient myself. “I…I was in the Shadow Realm,” I said, my voice hoarse. “I spoke with Goddess Hecate…and my mom.”
“Your mother?” Alister asked, his eyes widening in surprise. “But how?”
Pushing Chad away, I struggled to sit up, feeling dizzy and disoriented. Rafe gently supported my back, his touch warm and comforting.
“Easy,” he murmured. “Take it slow.”
I nodded gratefully, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Goddess Hecate…she explained everything. About our lineage, the blessing, and the curse on Morgana’s family.”
“Curse?” Lucien asked, his brow furrowed. “What curse?”
I looked around at their concerned faces, realizing just how much I had to explain. “It’s a long story,” I said. “Can we go inside? I think we all need to sit down for this.”
Alister nodded, helping me to my feet. “Of course. I’ll have some tea brought while the kitchen prepares us dinner.”
As we made our way inside, I leaned heavily on Rafe, still feeling weak from my otherworldly journey. Chad hovered nearby, ready to catch me if I stumbled, while Ryker brought up the rear, his dark eyes scanning for any potential threats.
Once we were settled in Alister’s strategy room, with steaming cups of tea in hand, I took a deep breath and began to recount everything I had learned in the shadow realm.
I told them about Calla, my brave ancestor who had earned Hecate’s blessing. I explained how that blessing had come with an unforeseen cost—the curse on Morgana’s family. I shared what the Goddess had told me about Morgana’s desperate quest for power and the chaos it could unleash if she succeeded.
As I spoke, I watched their expressions change from confusion to shock to grim determination. When I finished, a heavy silence fell over the room.
“Well, shit,” Chad finally said, breaking the tension. “And here I thought we were just dealing with a power-hungry witch.”
Lucien shot him a look. “This is serious. We’re facing a threat to the entire magical world.”
“I know that,” Chad retorted, his usual cheerful demeanor slipping for a moment. “I’m just trying to process it all.”
“We all are,” Rafe said softly, placing a calming hand on Chad’s shoulder.
Alister leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Evelyn, did your mother or Hecate give you any indication of how we might stop Morgana?”
I shook my head, feeling a twinge of frustration. “Not really. Goddess Hecate just said I was given this second chance because I’m the only one left in our lineage and the only one who can stop her. But she didn’t say how.”
“Perhaps it has something to do with your unique abilities,” Ryker suggested, speaking up for the first time since we’d come inside. “Your connection to the Shadow Realm, your fire magic…They could be key to defeating Morgana.”
“Maybe,” I said, uncertainty gnawing at me. “But I still barely understand how to control these powers. How am I supposed to use them to save everyone?”
“That’s where we come in,” Rafe said, his voice gentle but firm. “We’ll keep helping you.”
“Agreed,” Alister said.
“But something doesn’t make sense,” Lucien added. “Why would Morgana want Evelyn and her mother dead when she could have siphoned their power in the first place?”
“Maybe she initially thought that killing them would end the curse on her lineage, then found additional information,” Alister speculated.
“Goddess Hecate did say she didn’t know how Morgana came to learn of this imbalance. Even my mom didn’t know,” I added.
“There’s a piece of the puzzle still missing,” Lucien said. “We need to find what that is.”
“Dinner is served,” Mrs. Cook announced, after knocking on the door.
“Great, I’m starving,” I said, getting up and heading to the dining room.
The rest followed behind and we talked as we ate. There wasn’t much more to tell about my encounter with the goddess, except for the fated mate bomb which I wasn’t ready to share with everyone yet.
Despite the glorious meal, I couldn’t deny the bone-deep exhaustion that was setting in. My journey to the Shadow Realm had taken more out of me than I realized.
The others nodded in agreement, and we began to disperse for the night. As I stood to leave, Alister caught my arm gently.
“Evelyn,” he said softly. “Would you…stay with me tonight? I just want to hold you, to assure myself that you’re really here and safe.”
I nodded.
After everything that had happened, the thought of being alone in my room was less than appealing.
“Yes,” I said. “I’d like that.”
Once I climbed into bed beside Alister, feeling his arms wrap around me, a sense of peace washed over me. Then I shared with him what the Goddess had told me.
“Alister,” I whispered, not wanting to wake Chad.
“Hmm?” he murmured in my ear.
“The Goddess said I have a few more fated mates.”
“Umhum,” he replied.
I turned to face him. “You’re not surprised? Outraged?”
He sighed. “No, little phoenix. I figured the others were yours, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Chad practically tried to claim you the first time he shifted. Rafe is your guardian angel and Lucien…well, I’m not sure about him.”
“Five…is a lot. I feel connected to all of you but…”
“Let us take care of you,” he whispered, gently pulling me into his hard body. His fingers trailed fire along my arm, each touch igniting sparks beneath my skin. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to moan. “All five of us will be devoted to you, fulfilling your every desire and need. Worshiping your mind, body, and soul like the Goddess that you are. ”
Well, when you put it that way…sign me right up!
The thought both thrilled and terrified me. My body came alive at the thought.
But five? How does that even work?
“I feel like Lucien would rather flog me than make love to me.”
Alister chuckled. “You’d be surprised,” Alister’s voice dropped lower. “You might enjoy that, little phoenix.”
“Well, if he does, I’ll flog him right back,” I said defiantly.
There’s no way I’d enjoy that.
Alister laughed, brushing a strand of hair off my cheek. “Someday very soon,” he murmured, “I’m going to make love to you so thoroughly, so passionately, that you’ll feel me for days.”
My breath hitched, and a rush of desire coursed through me. “Maybe we can start with a kiss?”
Alister’s eyes widened in surprise at my bold statement, but then his gaze turned molten. “Fuck. I’ve waited so long for this,” he said as he slowly pressed his lips to mine. Gentle at first, then turning into something that made it hard not to make any noise and wake up Chad, but the moment I felt his tongue and tasted him, I was gone.
A whimper escaped me.
I wanted more.
I rolled on top of him, feeling the unmistakable hardness beneath me.
I ground against him, earning a low curse as his hands gripped my hips.
I groaned, accidentally kicking Chad’s hellhound form at the foot of the bed. He stretched but didn’t wake up.
“Evelyn,” Alister breathed, his voice strained, “as much as I want this—and believe me, I do—we should stop.”
I ground into him once more just to hear that delicious groan. “Why?” I whined.
He chuckled, the sound low and rich. “Because, my little phoenix, when I finally claim you, I want to take my time. I want to worship every inch of you. And I can’t do that with a hellhound snoring at our feet.”
As if on cue, Chad let out a loud snore, and we both stifled a laugh.
Breaking apart, I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
I had finally kissed Alister.
My husband.
My Fated Mate.
“But you’re not mad? Having to share me?” I whispered after a few moments.
“I would have been a few centuries ago. I would have killed them all out of jealousy, but I’m different now. I know what they mean to you, and to be honest, I’ve grown quite fond of them. I’ve always wanted a family.”
Family.
That sounded perfect.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew I wouldn’t face them alone. I had my fated men, my chosen family, by my side.
With that comforting thought, I drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.