I took a deep breath and nodded. “If you agree to work with the humans”—God, my voice sounds strange…deeper, louder, commanding—“creating a world where they can peacefully coexist with the remaining Elementals, the eight of us will leave this realm for good. The gods will allow us to live in Euphoria with them, I’m sure of it. Will that solve the problem?”
She nodded. “It would, yes, and I will gladly work with the humans to restore the balance. You have my word.”
I turned to my fellow demigods. “I guess now’s the time to say our goodbyes.”
They all took turns crying and hugging Kale and Jay, leaving me for last.
I pulled Kale into a hug. “Where did the Revolutionists hide Kendrick?”
“In one of Elise’s safe houses in the woods.”
I exhaled a nervous breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding. “Good. Can I ask you for an incredibly huge favor?”
Kale released me from our hug and grinned knowingly. “You want me to take care of your brother once you’re gone.”
God, hearing those words was painful.
I nodded in response, because I didn’t know if I could speak.
I was sort of hoping it might be beneficial for Kale, too. He’d lost his twin, so maybe it would be therapeutic for him to have another chance at being a brother.
Kale simply smiled and nodded back. “Don’t worry, Val. I’ll take good care of the little guy.”
I hugged him again. “Thank you, so much, for…everything.”
Then I turned to Jay.
He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed so tightly it hurt, but I welcomed his strength. After all that had happened, I definitely needed my best guy friend to help hold me together.
“I don’t want you to go,” he whispered, sounding sad and almost scared. “I have nothing and no one without you guys. How am I supposed to find my inner light all alone?”
I couldn’t take many more gut-wrenching moments like these. I’d already lost so many people; I didn’t want to lose him, too.
I squeezed him even tighter. “We have to go, Jay. We’re too powerful for this realm. But, if I have anything to say about it, you’re coming with us.”
I pulled back and watched as his blue eyes open wide. I didn’t know if he was grateful or uncertain, but he slowly ran a hand through his fauxhawk and nodded.
“Thank you.”
Cade came over and took my hand, bringing it up to his lips. “We’re ready when you are, baby girl.”
I smiled and raised the knife in my hand. It was still dripping with Nicholai’s blood, but I didn’t give a damn. I had a feeling I wouldn’t need a sacrifice or a spell this time.
I pulled down on the hilt, and it was like catching the blade on silk. The barrier between the realms tore effortlessly, exposing the perfect beauty of Euphoria beyond. Lush, floating islands drifted by on an invisible breeze, and misty waterfalls dropped off the edges into blissful eternity.
We all held hands, and the strangest feeling overcame me as I stepped through. I smiled, savoring the sensation as it filled me with peace and certainty.
I had finally found where I belonged.
Epilogue
Cade and I lay on our backs, staring up at the endless sky as pure white clouds drifted past. Our fingers and souls were laced together, and peace flowed through every vein in my body.
The sounds of our friends laughing and playing in the fields and bodies of water nearby tickled my ears like a melody. They splashed and tossed balls back and forth without a care in the world.
I’d convinced the gods to let Jay stay, and best of all, I’d convinced them to include Charlene. I figured if they could bring Chase back from the dead, surely they could bring Charlene back, too. Seeing the two of them reunited in Euphoria was absolutely perfect.
Life was perfect.
“There you are, my little champions!” Ida called, cresting the top of a nearby hill in her glittering red gown. The other gods were right behind her, smiling proudly as they strolled over to us. “We have some exciting news for you.”
I quirked a brow. “News?”
My voice was back to normal here, and there was no more glow. It seemed Euphoria was better equipped to contain the power of the gods than the human realm was.
Nik smirked. “Remember that game I lost to the Norse gods?”
I smirked right back. “Yes, I do. As I recall, you were going to use your champion’s winnings to pay them back. How’s that going for you?”
He wasn’t even bothered by my playful jab. “Really well, actually. Since you all tied, technically no one lost. I did a favor for Ida, and she paid them off on my behalf, no problem.”
My gaze narrowed slightly. “A favor?”
What sort of favor would be valuable enough to cover a countless number of jewels and coins lost in a game of gambling?
Ida smiled brightly. “The favor was simply Nik’s cooperation. You see, my friends at Mount Olympus have started a new school, The Academy of the Gods, and they asked if we’d be willing to teach a few classes. They also asked if our demigods would like to attend.”
I glanced from Ida to Nik and the rest of the deities. Then I moved my gaze over to the stunned faces of my friends, who’d all gathered around to hear the news.
“We’re going to have to attend school…again?” I asked in complete shock with only a hint of frustration. “And you guys are going to be our…teachers?”
Damn it, we’d only just gotten out of high school. After saving the entire human realm, I assumed we’d get to bask in blissful nothingness for the rest of eternity. Now we’d have to study, do homework, and take tests? I mean, come on!
“Oh, you’ve never attended a school like this before,” she said persuasively. “And besides, all the demigods and descendants from every realm will be there. It’s going to be so much fun!”
I groaned internally, but they heard it clear as a bell thanks to their epic mind-reading skills. Each of them shot me a stern look.
Okay, fine. Maybe I did have more to learn. Reading minds was certainly a skill I’d have liked to master one day.
I suppressed any irritation I might’ve felt and slapped on my brightest smile.
“So! When do we start?”
Ida clapped her hands excitedly. “We leave for Mount Olympus today!”
Cade crossed his arms and a small grin slid onto his handsome face. “And where exactly is Mount Olympus?”
“Oh, just a few islands over.” She gestured off to the side, and my gaze followed her fingers across the endless sky.
I could almost imagine I saw the pointed tips of an academy’s buttresses, flags billowing in the wind, a wrought iron gate standing ajar as students poured onto a perfectly manicured lawn, a dormitory filled with demigods eager to learn and others eager to cause trouble.
Another anxiety-filled year of starting at a new school and wondering where I’d fit in…I could hardly believe it.
It was happening again…
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading Val’s story and for sticking with her until the end. It’s been a long journey to get to this point, and I hope I did it justice for not only the characters, but for you as a reader. I’m humbled and honored by your commitment to this series, these characters, and me as an author. You’re amazing!
If you liked this book, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review. It would mean the world to me!
To stay updated on release dates and everything bookish, feel free to join my Facebook reader group, Magical Mayhem – Elle Middaugh’s Reader Group, or subscribe to my newsletter!
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible without the love, commitment, and prodding of my awesome, loving, and super-supportive husband, Brent. Seriously, you guys, he’s at least half the reason I finally finished this trilogy!
Thank you to Caitlin, the amazing woman behind my words actually making grammatical sense! LOL
A special thank y
ou to Michelle, Jess, Brittany, Mona, and Kelly for beta reading this baby and helping me make some difficult decisions story-wise. You girls rock! Who knows what I would have forgotten without you? Haha! And to Michelle especially, as my PA and friend, thank you for helping me keep my head on straight!
The biggest thanks of all goes out to the fans of The Essential Elements series! This was the first book/series I ever wrote. This is what made my dream of becoming an author a reality. I don’t know if you can ever fully understand what that means to me, but from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. Thank you all for giving me and my stories a chance. I am so blessed to have you in my life!
About Elle Middaugh
Elle Middaugh is a USA Today bestselling author living in the Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains with her wonderful husband and three beautiful children. She spends most of her time raising kids, writing stories, playing video games, reading, and attempting to keep a clean house.
She’s a proud Navy wife, a frazzle-brained mother, a fan of health and fitness, a lover of tea and red wine, and a believer in happily-ever-afters.
Sassy. Seductive. Spellbinding.
www.ellemiddaugh.com
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Also by Elle Middaugh
Storms of Blackwood Series
Book One: Taken by Storm (coming soon)
The Queen Witch Trials Series
Book One: Queen Witch
Book Two: Alpha Witch (coming soon)
Enchanted Royals Series
Book One: A Crown of Blood and Ashes
Book Two: A Sword of Scales and Song (coming soon)
The Essential Elements Trilogy
Book One: Elemental Secrets
Book Two: Elemental Lies
Book Three: Elemental Betrayal
Standalone Books
Siren Awakened
Elemental Betrayal Page 25