The Promise

When I d decided to go with them, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. And it turned out to be a waste of a trip anyway.

I headed inside, glad to be back to the normal world. Even though we weren’t co

He was with Sophia, who wasn’t all that bad, once the evil had left her. Still, though, I struggled sometimes to be around her because it reminded me of the past.

The two of them were huddled over a book, in front of the fireplace, talking about something.

His eyes found mine and he smiled in a way that made my skin warm with my own heat.

“I’ll be right back,” Sophia said and then she saw me she smiled. “You guys made it back okay?”

“Yeah, Aislin and Laylen are coming.” I nodded at the window.

“Good. I’m glad you’re okay.” She stood in front of me awkwardly. She acted like she wanted to say more, but smiled instead and walked out the door.

She did that a lot. Perhaps one day she’d finally be able say what was on her mind.

Alex closed the book and walked across the room, carrying something in his hands.

“Did you two find out anything about how to free a Foreseer from the Room of Forbidden?” I asked.

“Maybe,” he said. “We have to do a little bit more research, but there might be a way to free 243

your dad… although, it’ll be kind of difficult.”

“We saved the world.” I said. “So I’m sure we can do it, whatever it is.”

“I’m sure we can.” He laughed and then paused. “So did you guys get everything taken care of?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Not even close.”

He laughed softly, putting his hand on my hip. “Isn’t that always the case?” I let out a sigh. “Aleesa didn’t want to come back. I guess she liked it there. But the Empress, I mean Luna, still thinks Aislin owes her the spell.”

He slid his hand up my back and hooked something around my neck.

I stared down at my violet-stoned locket. “Where did you get this?” He winked at me. “Where you lost it.”

I clasped the heart-shaped pendant in my hand, forcing the tears back as I thought of my mother. “But how did you get it back from them?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You think two witches scare me?”

I shook my head, wondering what had really happened.

“So what’s Aislin going to do?” He asked. “With the spell? She’s not going to do it is she?” I shrugged. “She told the Empress she’d work on it.”

“Work on it.” He sketched his finger down my cheek. “She’s powerful enough to do the spell on her own.”

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“Yeah, but Luna doesn’t know that.” I frowned, remembering the faerie realm. I’d always thought Nicholas was bad, but he definitely was the more tolerable of the faerie breed. I’d seen him once since it all happened and wasn’t surprised he’d returned to being his trickster self. “And I still don’t get why Aleesa wanted to stay there. I mean, I know she thinks she likes it, but that place was just weird.”

“Aleesa’s weird.” He smiled, moving his lips for mine. “And what does it matter if she’s happy.”

“You’re right,” I said and met him the rest of the way, pressing my lips to his.

We kissed, our souls beating as one. Always and forever.

_______________________

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Jessica Sorensenlives with her husband and three kids in the snowy mountains of Wyoming, where she spends most of her time reading, wring, and hanging out with her family.

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