by J. Adams
The sight of my true mate, bloody and tired, causes a feeling I have never felt before to enter every nerve of my body. It flows from deep within me and builds with each passing second. The power moves down my arms into my hands, and before I know what is happening, I leap from the cave entrance, over the animals guarding the opening, springing high in the air. Sebastian's head jerks toward me as I arch toward them. The Urchin turns to defend himself but isn't quick enough. As my closed fist lands hard against his chest, power explodes from my hand, sending him reeling backwards in the air. His body lands with a thump over a hundred yards away. Our combined relieved sighs are a little premature. We both turn to see the Urchin sit up. It is attempting to stand when from behind us, two Tyrannosaurus Rex release a battle cry. They charge forward and stomp the creature into the ground. Within seconds, it disintegrates. And within those same seconds, all energy leaves me. Sebastian catches me before I hit the ground.
“Celine!” I look at him and smile. There is worry in his eyes and voice, but there is also wonder. I lift my hand to his chest and touch his already healing skin. He smiles back. “You've been holding out on me.”
“I've been holding out on me. I've never felt anything like that before.”
“Well, I'm glad your new-found talent decided to manifest itself now. I was in desperate need of a moment to regenerate so I could do that very same magic trick. I've never been so depleted of energy before. It looks like Lord Derth saved his best for last.”
“It looks that . . .” A sudden hard pressure followed by a gush of wetness cuts off my words.
In a flash, we are in the cave and I am changed into a gown and sitting in a newly-produced birthing chair. Sebastian is kneeling before me with is hands on my knees, looking up at me through shining eyes.
The moment we had anticipated and have done our best to prepare for is finally here. There are no more Urchins near to try and stop what is about to happen. There is no more opposition to fight against, no more threats to my life or the life of our child.
“It's really happening, isn't it?”
“Yes, beloved,” he answers, looking up at me through moist eyes. It is happening. Are you ready?”
I nod. Another hard press of the baby's head causes me to suck in a breath.
Just try to relax and breathe, caro. Just breathe.
I begin taking deep cleansing breaths, which makes the growing pressure easier to handle. There is absolutely no pain, just the pressure of the baby readying himself to enter the world. When it begins to increase tenfold, a rush of energy sweeps over me and I know it is time to push, which I do with all my might.
In the blink of an eye, Sebastian is holding our son. He cleans out little Marcello's nose and mouth. The moment our son takes his first breath and his loud cry echoes off the cave walls, an immediate change surges through the atmosphere. The feel of it is so powerful, we hold him between us and weep with joy.
* * *
Challissians exit houses and buildings and drop to their knees, knowing immediately that the prophecy has been fulfilled and the golden child has come. Cries of happiness ring through the air in the city as citizens embrace one another and share their happiness.
* * *
On the surface around the north polar opening, the Urchins that lie on the ground wounded but still alive take a final breath and instantly disintegrate. Their ashes are blown away by a cleansing wind. Aaron and the rest of the warriors kneel and raise their faces toward the heavens, and with tears streaming down their cheeks, give thanks to The One. The long war has finally ended, and now will come the days of peace.
* * *
Mount St. Helens
In the palace room of the desolate, empty facility, the
faint echo of Lord Derth's final cry rings against the stone walls as the last of his char-coaled remains fall from the red, satin covered throne. One by one the walls crumble and the concrete ceiling falls. The whole facility caves in, leaving a large sinkhole a mile away from the volcano. Beneath the hole not a trace of the building is left.
It is a fitting end. The being who had been honored and worshiped as a god by his creations, caring for no one, placing no value on life, and had even thought himself greater and more powerful than The One, dies completely alone.
Epilogue
Our home is rebuilt out in the countryside and every detail is the same. Our closest neighbors are the animals that protected me, and their love for us spills onto our son. At only two months old, thanks to Sebastian's daily communing with wildlife, Marcello knows and recognizes each and every animal. They are his friends and he is theirs. And Sebastian does indeed take Marcello on a mammoth ride, laughing at my flabbergasted expression and grinning the entire time.
Motherhood is more joyful and fulfilling that I can possibly say. I am learning new things every day, and each time I hold Marcello and look into those piercing little blue eyes, I see and feel the love of The One. I am indeed blessed.
* * *
Wrapped in my husband's arms, I hold our son close and we stand before President Simon in the magnificent white room in the sacred Building of Life, where he anoints Marcello for the second time and pronounces blessings upon him. His birth destroyed the enemy and saved the lives of many. Now he will inspire many and be a source of light, love, comfort, and strength for eternity, and we as his parents will forever be called blessed. Many other words are spoken, and they will remain in my heart always.
Walking us out, President Simon stops us at the door. He smiles and caresses Marcello's head. “I know you two have wondered if or when we will make ourselves known to the rest of the world.”
“The question has crossed our mind more than once,” Sebastian says.
The president nods. “There is a time for everything, which means there will definitely be a time for that as well. When that will be, only The One knows. But it will be soon.”
“Thank you for telling us,” Sebastian says earnestly. “We will keep this knowledge to ourselves.”
“I know,” the president says with a smile.
* * *
I put Marcello down for the night and join Sebastian out on the back lawn. We lay side by side, our fingers intertwined, and gaze up at our jointly-produced sky.
“It is not quite the wishing hour yet,” he says, “but anytime is a good time to look at the stars.”
I turn to him and study his profile, so relaxed and at ease. “I agree.”
He turns to me then, and in his eyes I see a thousand different emotions; I witness a thousand different memories, and I am a part of them all. In his eyes I see me, and the visions he shares with me through thought are like infinity. We have always been a part of each other. I see that now. Our story began long before I glimpsed him through my apartment window, and I knew him before this earthly existence. I feel as though he's been with me all my life.
Thinking on this, I softly gasp in awe. “It was you, wasn't it?” I pause and he smiles. “Throughout my life I have felt this invisible comfort. It was you.”
“I could never be away from you, Celine,” he says softly. “I think our bond was formed long before our marks emerged.”
He smiles and touches his mouth to mine, then lifts our hands, pressing the two Ki Talimai together, igniting the warmth that neither of us can conduct with another soul. For our bond is true, it's real, and it's permanent, stronger than any and all other things, given and blessed by The One. And it always will be.
I am blissfully content.
And for the first time in my life, I feel absolute and complete peace.
About the Author
J. (Jewel) Adams stays crazy busy with her family and writing. She has written several books in different genres and is also a motivational speaker to both youth and adult audiences. She home schools her four kids that are still at home, and between that and conjuring up new ideas for her books, her brain is completely fried most of the time. She and her husband Sean are the parents of eight children,
which means they are both losing hair, but hey, that's what Rogaine is for, right?
In her spare time (when she has any) she likes to curl up with a good book and a healthy stash of orange Tic Tacs. She and her family reside in Utah.
Jewel loves hearing from her fans, so if you would like to contact her to tell her how much you love her books or give her sympathy for the fried brain, or suggestions for the hair loss problem (for her husband, of course) contact her at [email protected]
Also visit her website and blog at
jadamsnovels.com and jewelsbestgems.blogspot.com
Books by J. Adams/Jewel Adams
The Journey – YA Fantasy
Against the Odds – Contemporary Romance Mercedes' Mountain – Contemporary Romance
E-books
The Wishing Hour – Romantic Sci-Fi Fantasy Of Blessings and Dreams: The Legacy – LDS Contemporary Romance
Tears of Heaven – LDS Contemporary Romance Place In This World: The Sequel to The Journey – YA Fantasy
The Journey – YA Fantasy
For Love of Angel – YA Romance
Elise's Heart – YA Romance
Children's E-book
Forbidden Portals: The Quicksilver Project
Table of Contents
Epilogue