by Jenn Nixon
“Sleep well,” he replied as he nipped her chin. Zorin extended his wings and hopped onto the railing. He winked and jumped, falling quickly toward the ground. Cyndra gasped and clutched the rail. Zorin swooped upward and circled around the lighthouse. As he soared toward the mansion, Cyndra put every thought out of her head and watched the gargoyle fly through the air. When Zorin disappeared from sight, she gazed toward the mainland. Whatever they decided affected the entire world. The planet needed casters to heal the land. Casters needed crystals and siphons to keep their power in check.
No matter what happened next, Cyndra had Rune and Zorin to rely on. She had the memory of family who loved and protected her at great cost. She had a mother and cousin waiting for her inside the mirror-realm. She didn’t feel alone in the world and she was no longer afraid. She didn’t have to survive anymore and could start to live.
Cyndra finally shook off the baggage of her past, lightening the load, allowing her to prepare for the next challenge.
Aware she needed to rest and heal, she tore her gaze from the mainland, made sure the bond with Zorin and Rune remained strong and returned to the lighthouse, looking forward to tomorrow for the first time in her entire life.