Korban advanced with fierce determination, his contorted features a mask of death. Korban’s power pounded into her, halting her progress. In alarm, she wrenched one hand from the Tree and flung her own power at Korban.
He shrank back and she doubled her efforts, reaching deep inside for strength she didn’t know she possessed. Sparked by her power, a corridor opened in the Tree and sealed the darkness away. A blast of pure light coursed through her, and she glanced up to find the Tree smothered in a beam of light coming from above, like a conduit from the heavens.
Korban cried out in anger, and darkness pounded her, beating at her with unbroken fury. She dropped her hand from the tree, but the power stayed connected to her through the channel she’d formed. With light streaming into her, she sent a crushing wave into Korban. He flew back and landed in a tangled mass.
With pain still floating over her in a hazy cloud, she leaned over, breathing deeply to catch her breath. In this moment of inattention, Korban stood, his body ablaze with darkness, and rushed toward the Tree with amazing speed.
His quick recovery shocked Teya into action. Dropping all her defenses, she opened herself to the light and sang. What came from her was not of her choosing, but dictated by the power itself. It was not a harsh tone, nor loud, but one never heard before, as if coming from another level of existence. It was powerful, yet small. Soft enough to pierce the depths of the soul, yet loud enough to spread before her like wildfire.
With Teya at the center, the music rippled outward in waves that caused the ground to tremble and shake. It crashed over Korban and he jerked spasmodically to a halt. He clutched at his chest and his mouth opened in a soundless scream. His whole body trembled, and his muscles stood out in cords at his neck and arms. He jerked stiffly upright, and like a statue made of stone, toppled to the ground.
The sound wave cascaded outward like a giant disk that penetrated through all living things. Immersed in the music of her voice, brown and decaying leaves suddenly turned green with new life. Yellow parched grass brightened with new growth. Black spiked trees trembled into soft flowing lines and graceful leafy branches.
The Tree became solid and strong once again, the pure water flowing true. Teya carried the tones as long as she could, buoyed by the power. Caught within this pure light, time seemed to stand still. The magic pulsed through her in strengthening waves.
The outer appearance of decay was gone, but now she must work on the inner core. Even the smallest trace of darkness could not be allowed to exist for the grove to be purified. With the Tree as a conduit to sustain her, she drifted in a state of oblivion until the work was finally done. The power shrank to a small stream, then a thread, before vanishing altogether.
Teya sank to the ground, overcome with more than exhaustion. Her heart burned like it was on fire, and her body tingled as if unbound and weightless. Her skin seemed to give off little sparks of light and a funny taste coated her tongue.
Insistent thirst drove her to the foot of the Tree where she swallowed several gulps of water. The refreshing liquid soothed her trembling and relieved the burning sensation in her chest to a small hum. Fortified, she realized the grove was filled with unnatural light. Wasn’t it supposed to be night? Had purifying the grove taken that long?
Although the gray sky was filled with sparkling stars, the light of dawn was not far off. Still, the grove carried a light of its own. With a jolt she realized her skin did the same thing, sending tiny sparks of light when she moved. The power that had been channeled through the Tree and into her was gone, but the light it left was like a memory of all that had occurred.
With reverence, she glanced to the spot where Korban fell. Was he still alive? She sensed no threat, but no life either. What about Bran and the others? She knew Korban had hurt him badly, but what if he’d died?
Leona and Hewson lay in peaceful repose against the trunk of the Tree, breathing deep and even. Iris slept next to Jesse’s stretcher, and color stained Jesse’s cheeks with a healthy glow. She sensed his injuries had disappeared, healed through the cleansing power of the grove.
Teya rose carefully to her feet, hoping she could stand after her exhausting ordeal. The grove water must have helped because she felt no weakness. Relieved, she lightly stepped over the small stream of water flowing from the Tree.
Bran had collided with a smaller tree on the far side of the grove, and she hurried to find him. Now he lay stretched out on a soft bed of grass. She dared to breathe again when his chest rose in deep, even breaths. Like the others, he slept, healthy and alive.
Did this mean Korban was alive too? She didn’t want to leave Bran’s side, but this was something she needed to take care of now. If Korban wasn’t dead, she meant to bind him. If he had survived the cleansing light, he deserved a second chance.
As she approached Korban, a tiny thread of apprehension curled through her. From a distance, his features looked normal enough. Coming beside him, she flinched at what he had become. His body and clothing were the color of gray stone, and rested in several fractured pieces. He was dead, but she sensed his presence centered in the stone. As if he hid from her.
With a deep breath, she summoned her courage, knowing what she had to do, but dreading it all the same. She held her hands above his body and hummed a haunting tone to call him forth. The response came immediately.
A small seed of light burst from his chest and hovered for a moment before vanishing into another dimension, but his fear and anguish lingered long after he was gone. He wanted to become a God. Now he must face the gods with what he’d done.
His body of broken stone collapsed into dust, and disappeared into the earth. Released from this dark burden, the grass below changed from blackened gray to a cushion of green. Except for her, no one would know where Korban had met his end.
Was it over then? She took in a deep breath, savoring the fresh smell of dew and dark earth. The trees stood tall and strong once again. Ferns and wildflowers dotted the ground, the columbines and lupine swaying in the breeze. Somewhere high above, a bird began to sing, it’s trilling notes a tribute to the beauty of life. In the dawn of a new day, the grove was reborn.
****
In the place between wakefulness and sleep, Bran dreamed he was lying comfortably on a soft bed of grass, aware of his surroundings through heightened senses. The fresh air seemed perfumed with a delightful bouquet of earth, grass, tree and flower. The gurgle of a spring bubbling from the ground came next, followed by the beautiful serenading of a bird. The breeze ruffled his hair and he took a deep breath, finally opening his eyes.
Coming toward him was the most beautiful being he had ever seen. Light rippled from her skin in tiny sparks and her eyes glittered like sapphire crystals. As the breeze caught her raven-black hair, it shimmered in the early light of dawn and feathered around her oval face. The light framed her head in a dazzling halo. He knew her, and yet he didn’t. “Are you real?”
The warmth of her hand against his unshaven face jolted him into complete wakefulness. This wasn’t a dream. “Teya.” She leaned over him and their lips met. Her breath was sweet, the touch of her lips, feathery-soft and intoxicating.
“Are you all right?” she asked, her voice melodious and beautiful.
His heart pounded with sudden desire and he pulled her back against him with a groan. For this moment she was his and his alone. Their lips met again and he deepened the kiss, wanting more and yet holding back. Even with his eyes closed, her brilliance dazzled him. She wasn’t the same. There was a beauty and profoundness to her that seared through him with burning intensity.
It plunged deep to the depths of his soul, making him suddenly aware of his human frailties and vulnerability. As pain seared through his chest, he ended the kiss abruptly, and took a steadying breath. She studied him with concern, but even meeting her gaze hurt. In response, he clamped his eyes together and turned his head away.
She sat back on her heels and he managed to look at her again. He realized t
hat her brows had drawn together and her mouth opened with astonishment. “I don’t understand. I’ve given you pain.”
“I’ll be all right,” he said to reassure her. “You’re just…different somehow.” He managed to catch his breath, and quickly sat up, but the burning still lodged in his heart. “What happened to Korban?”
“He’s dead. There’s nothing left of him.”
“The grove,” Bran said reverently, and studied his surroundings without sleep-clouded eyes. “You did it. It’s beautiful beyond words.” He glanced at her again. “Just like you. You shine.”
She glanced at him with uncertainty before a small smile lit her face. “It is beautiful isn’t it? My heart is so full, I feel like it could burst! I never imagined so much beauty before. There are no words to describe it.”
She was right. Bran was nearly overcome by the radiant light that rested over everything. More than an outer glow, it seemed to flow from the very essence of the grove.
“I’d better check on the others,” Teya said.
“I’ll help you,” he offered. She helped him to his feet and he was amazed at how good he felt. He remembered Korban slamming him into the tree and the terrible pain before he blacked out. “Did you heal me?” he asked.
“It happened when the grove was re-born I think. The power touched everything in its path and restored all life. Except for Korban. It killed him.”
“Then shooting him didn’t help?” Bran asked with mock severity.
“Oh, it helped me a great deal.” She smiled up at him. “But in the end, that wasn’t what killed him.”
Teya knelt beside Jesse and Iris who stirred at her touch. As Jesse glanced at his surroundings, his eyes widened in shock. “Did I die? Is this heaven?”
Teya laughed before replying. “No, but it’s pretty close.”
With a burst of joyful energy, Jesse rose to his feet and caught her in a wild embrace. “You did it!” He set her down and rushed on. “With no help from me. I’m sorry I let you down. Korban and I argued for a long time. We saw you coming, and when my back was turned, he stabbed me. I never expected it. I should have, but I didn’t.”
“None of us understood Korban completely,” Teya said. “But he’s gone now.”
Iris woke Hewson and Leona, who joined them. Teya turned toward Hewson and Leona, then rushed into Leona’s outstretched arms. “Grandmother!”
Tears streamed down both of their faces. “My child!” Leona cried. They embraced for several minutes. After shedding more tears, Teya reached out to Hewson, who hugged her tightly. He released her and quickly gathered Iris into his arms.
Teya held her grandmother a moment longer, then she pulled back and their gazes met.
“My child,” Leona said. “You did it.” She kissed Teya on the cheek.
“I had help,” Teya said, casting her gaze toward Bran.
Leona nodded. “It is as I wished.” Then her gaze moved to Jesse and she smiled. “Jesse,” she said with outstretched hands. “Welcome home.” His mouth dropped open in awe, but he willingly took her hands, then quickly embraced her.
Bran took a deep breath, feeling like an intruder. Taking a few steps back, he leaned against a tree to stay out of the way. It was then that he noticed the glow from their bodies, and a chill tightened his heart. All of them gave off light. None of them shone as brightly as Teya, but he couldn’t deny the similarity. He held out his own hands and examined them carefully. Nothing. No sparks, no glow, no light.
“Bran,” Leona called.
He jerked his hands down. She came to him and took his hands in hers. “None of this could have happened without you.” Her clear gray eyes shone with light and understanding. He swallowed, hardly knowing what to say or think. She squeezed his fingers before releasing him. “Come join us. Teya is going to tell us what happened.” She steered him toward the others where he took a seat beside Teya.
“I’ll start with our return and the Destroyer,” Teya said. “And save what happened when Bran and I left the grove for another time.”
“I would love to hear the whole of your tale, but you’re right, later will be fine for now,” Leona said.
Teya began and even though Bran had been there, it was still hard to believe all that had happened. When Teya told them Bran’s part, he waved it away, but not before he noticed the approval in Leona’s eyes. She must have known the link between him and Teya was all that would save her when she faced the Destroyer.
The battle with Korban in the grove came next. He wished he could have seen the light come from the heavens and into the Tree before it spread through the grove. Where had the power come from? That Korban turned to stone, and then to dust seemed a fitting end for someone who would stab his own son in the back.
Bran studied Teya while she spoke. The glow of light around her seemed vapor-like and ethereal. Her skin sparkled, almost like her bright spirit was bigger than her body and overlapped the edges. The light from the others wasn’t quite as noticeable, but still there.
What did it mean? His heart quickened with anxiety. Why didn’t he glow? He had the sinking feeling that this change was permanent. If that were the case, would Teya still want him? He thought again about the kiss they had shared. He’d pulled away because it hurt him. He hadn’t been able to endure the burning. If she remained like this, how could they be together?
Leona was anxious to meet with the rest of the Kalorians, but insisted everyone take a drink of water first. After taking a drink, Bran watched Jesse. Before the cup reached Jesse’s lips, he exchanged glances with Teya. She smiled at him encouragingly, and he drank with a reverence Bran didn’t know he possessed.
Afterward, his eyes shone with unbridled joy and Bran realized Jesse had finally found a place he could call home. Jesse belonged here because he was a Kalorian. Bran knew Jesse cared for Teya, maybe even loved her, and it hit him like a punch to the stomach.
Teya led the way to the others and motioned Bran to her side, but before he could reach her, Leona disrupted their plans. “Bran,” she called. “Walk a little way with me.” Teya frowned at her grandmother. “I’ll send him back as soon as I’ve talked with him.”
Leona waited until everyone was out of earshot, then wrapped her arm around the crook of Bran’s elbow. With arms linked they started down the trail. “I know how much you care for Teya, or you wouldn’t have risked your life for her. That’s why saying this is going to be hard.” She paused and Bran braced for what came next, knowing it couldn’t be good.
“I didn’t expect things to work out in quite this way,” she continued. “Like the bond between you. It never would have taken if there wasn’t already a natural connection. The ceremony we performed only took what was there and strengthened it. Now, things are different. Teya has been changed by the power. She is no longer human.”
Bran’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Dear boy.” She patted his hand. “She has been touched by the gods, and through her, all of our race. You see how we shine?”
“Yes,” Bran could see the evidence in her glowing hand as she patted him. “But not me. Even though I was here, I wasn’t changed.”
“No. The Kalorians have a different task to fulfill that does not belong to you. And now that the task is done, we must leave this place.”
“What? How can you? After all we went through to restore the grove, you mean to leave?”
“You misunderstand. Not us. The grove. The grove must leave your world.” She paused to let it sink in. “Teya restored the grove with power that came from the White City. Now we are prepared to take our place there. The grove can no longer exist in your world. The time for magic is over.”
“How is that possible?” Bran’s heart sank. He couldn’t give up Teya so easily. There had to be a way for them to be together.
“Magic carries great risk, and there is too much potential for abuse. We all witnessed what Korban did and how he nearly destroyed the grove.”
“But it wa
s one of your own who started it. Not us.”
“Yes, and we paid a heavy price. But we have been redeemed. It is time for us to leave. I’m sorry you cannot come. Not that you don’t deserve it, but your body could not survive the transcendence. I’m afraid it would kill you.”
“What about Teya. Could she stay here?”
“Teya can only stay on the condition that she give up her magic. That will not be easy for her. You’ve seen how brightly she shines. It is what she was meant to be. If you press her, I’m afraid she will give it up. I’m asking you not to let that happen. She could never be happy after this, not when her heart burns with power. To give that up would destroy her.”
“How can you be so certain? I think she could be happy here. Besides... I love her.” He swallowed, knowing he sounded desperate and selfish.
“But do you love her enough to let her go? To do what’s best for her?”
They had stopped walking a long time ago. Bran dropped his arms and clenched his fists in anguish. “You’re asking me to leave, aren’t you? Without telling her or talking to her about it. You’re asking me to walk away because it’s what you think is best for her.” He could hardly contain his frustration and pain.
Leona sighed and seemed to shrink in on herself. “This is not a contest between you and me. We both love her. It’s not what I think. It’s what is. You don’t understand what she would give up to be with you.”
“And if I don’t ask, will she think I don’t want her?”
“I would never tell her that.”
Bran wasn’t sure he could believe her. “What would you tell her?”
“That you loved her enough not to ask.”
They were back where they started. Leona was adamant that Bran do this her way. “What if she wants to stay here anyway? Will you let her go?”
Leona smiled slightly. “Do you think I could make her stay with us? If that is what she wants, she will have my blessing.”
Bran came to a decision, even though it was not the one he wanted. “I’ll leave tonight, but I’ll wait on the ridge overlooking the valley for three days. If she hasn’t come to me by then, I’ll know she’s leaving with you. My only request is that you make sure she knows I’m waiting and that I haven’t abandoned her if she wants to stay.”
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