The other side of midnight’s hour strikes a herald thrice rung
Seer, Shadow, Sun—together they come
Sixteen winters hence—the light shall be eclipsed
Leaving darkness to ascend beneath a sky bleeding fire
Only instead of the light being eclipsed, it was me. But at least Dace is safe.
Right?
Right?
You ask too many questions. You must rest. We’ll be there soon.
I close my eyes again, using my last burst of strength for one final request: Can you please make it snow? Will you do that for them?
Don’t have to, he tells me. You’ve already seen to it.
My lips curl at the sides, my cheeks fall wet with tears, as I fumble for the blood-covered key at my chest and fold my fingers around it. At least I’ll leave them with that …
My focus narrowing to a point so tiny—no bigger than a molecule. Surprised to find that the molecule is me—and that I’m connected to everything.
A cry of anguish sounds in the distance, though I’m sure the cry is not meant for me.
Why would it be?
I’m safe.
Loved.
Surrounded by light as warm and glowing as a kiss.
My heart flutters.
My lungs bubble with breath.
And the next thing I know, I’m crashing through a glorious silken spun web—bursting into a world of bright golden light.
season of miracles
epilogue
Axel
The girl lies bleeding in my arms.
Her brown shiny hair spilling over my shoulder—the pink of her cheeks fading as quickly as the life force within her.
Still, she is beautiful.
Far more beautiful up close.
Inquisitive too.
And though I long to reassure her, it serves no purpose to lie to her.
She teeters on the edge of the abyss. Stands a very good chance of tumbling in.