Chapter 34

THE room was completely dark. When we entered, flames burst to life on the torches lining the walls.

I noticed Ivy first, her dark hair in a spiky braid, gripping a sword and glaring at me murderously, standing in the middle of the room.

Then I saw Forreston, a crown perfectly placed on his head, standing in the corner to her right.

And there was his father, looking at me from her left corner.

Finally, she spoke. "Elvina."

I lifted the sword slightly. "Ivy." All the venom I could, I poured into that one word.

But she grinned, her stony features lighting up with a dark glee. "How good of you to join us."

I felt my courage drain at that familiar grin.

Behind her, Forreston and Branch made no move as I raised my sword.

"Are you here to kill me?" She said mockingly.

I gritted my teeth, thinking of my dead sisters. "I am."

She only raised a taunting eyebrow. "Are you, now? Let's see how you accomplish that."

Moving like a snake, she swiftly slid her body towards mine, bringing the blade upwards. I parried it, but her blows were strong, rapid — it was all I could do to defend myself.

I could see the others rushing at me, but Ivy waved her hand. A wall of rock shot up in a circle around us, shooting to the roof.

It was just her and me.

She cornered me against a wall, the stones biting into my back.

I clenched my fist, trying to summon water, air anything. Her wall was impenetrable.

"Disappointing," she said, disarming me with a quick move.

This was it.

I tightened my jaw, looking straight into her eyes. I'd never give her the satisfaction of defeating me.

"I see," she said, raising her sword.

I didn't look away.

Not until her sword cut into my side. I crumpled, collapsing on my knees, a hand to the cut, blood already seeping through the dress.

She stalked closer, holding the sword coated with my own blood to my neck. "Still fighting, my weak daughter?"

Weak. Useless. Powerless. Talentless.

I knew everything the elves called me. Why did I let it bother me anymore? Why had I let her get to me?

Then I felt Nalvia's presence. Her shimmering golden light wrapped around me, pulling me away from reality.

It wasn't a vision.

They all stood before me. I stumbled back, looking over all of them. His hair, red as mine. All of them, looking at me with pride and love —

And her.

Her gray-blue eyes lit up. She ran at me at the same time I ran at her.

"Juniper," I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek. I whispered her name over and over as she held me tight.

She drew away, smiling gently.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking at all of them.

"I am sorry," my father said, his eyes heavy.

"We are so proud of you," Laurel said, giving me a smile.

"There's just a little left," Sylvan said, her green eyes twinkling, like mine.

"You must understand," my father said.

I looked at all of them. "What —"

They stood in a room, alone. Ivy and Rowan. I could see her fear. "Rowan, please!" She begged.

But Rowan's eyes darkened with hate, like I had seen hers do so many times.

"We have had five children, Ivy. And you know what? They are all girls."

"That's not my fault, Rowan, please!" Ivy pleaded, scrambling into the corner.

Rowan didn't budge. "How can it not be your fault? You have given me five daughters! The elves are wondering why we have not had a son. I have been shamed because of you!"

"Rowan, it's not my fault!" Ivy repeated, her shoulders caving in.

"It is." Rowan said, his eyes showing something beyond hate. He raised his hand and struck her hard across the face.

She shrieked as she collapsed onto her knees.

And all the puzzle pieces fell into place.

The vision faded away, leaving me standing with my dead family.

I stared at Rowan with horror.

"You," I breathed.

Aiden had been right all along.

You must bring her here. We shall take care of her.

"When an elf dies, their soul becomes part of the Forest. Bring Ivy to us," Juniper said, her face hard.

"Let our strength," Rowan said, stepping forward, "Become yours."

I didn't say anything as he walked right up to me, putting his hand on my forehead. I closed my eyes, feeling something light hum through me, through my bones and flesh.

He retreated, and Laurel came up.

They all did the same thing, and at the end of it, the cut in my side wasn't throbbing, nor was I as tired as I had been.

I felt — strong.

"You are powerful," Juniper breathed.

"I'll bring her here," I promised, and they dissolved.

Ivy was still standing in front of me, her sword to my neck.

I struck quickly, vines pushing through the floor and wrapping around her, dragging her away from me.

I picked up my sword quickly, just as she tore through the vines.

Her mocking face was gone, replaced with dark determination.

I angled my sword.

We rushed at each other — I felt the strength of my family take over as I dodged her blows, landed my own, and forced her into the wall.

Her eyes widened. "What —"

I swung at her sword with such force that it flew out of her grip, landing behind me.

Then I put my sword to her throat.

"You won't do it," she whispered, her identical eyes searching mine, "You can't kill me."

"Maybe not," I said, tilting my head, "But they can."

I closed my eyes, willing her to come.

Nalvia.

I grabbed Ivy's hand just as we left.

She was shocked.

I could see it written on her face — for once, Ivy was afraid. She stumbled back, taking in my sisters' grim faces.

Then her gaze fell on Rowan. "You!"

"I." Rowan nodded, his mouth set in a straight line. "Ivy, I don't deserve forgiveness. But neither do you."

Golden light rippled around us. We all turned to see Nalvia's ethereal face, hovering in the twisting rays.

Your time has come.

"No!" Ivy shrieked, stumbling back.

You cannot fight it.

Ivy stumbled forward, as though compelled, to the edge of the light.

Nalvia's eyes met mine.

She is mine now. As you all are. Now, come.

Ivy turned to face us, walking backwards into the light. She hit its edge, and the rippling gold washed over her.

Her eyes cleared, the glint of madness gone.

"Elvina, live. Do good for our Forest."

I gaped at the only piece of advice she had ever given me. The gold covered her body.

I turned to the rest of my family. Rowan was already walking, giving me a sad smile before following Ivy, falling into the gold.

I stumbled to my sisters. "Don't leave —"

"You are worthy, Elvina. You are a Queen," Laurel said, embracing me before pulling away and walking to Nalvia.

I gasped, tears running down my face, as my sisters each hugged me, smiling proudly before leaving.

And then there was only Juniper left. "June —"

"Goodbye, El," she said, holding me for a moment.

"Don't go —"

She smiled gently. "Who said we're going?"

I held on to her tight.

"We'll always be here, watching you."

"Please stay with me" I begged.

She touched my cheek gently. "I will always be with you. We all will."

"Juniper." I sobbed.

"I will always be here for you. And when your time comes, I will welcome you here with open arms. But not now."

I nodded, pulling away.

She wiped my tears. "You have so much to live for. Do what we could not. Save the Forest, El. I will wait for you."

"Goodbye," I whispered, giving her a weak smile.

"I love you," she said.

Then she, too, disappeared into the shimmering shallows, and the gold faded to black.

I'm screaming because it's almost over and when it's over I have to go back to editing and it's almost over and ahhhh! But how was the chapter? XD

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