Page 149 of The Never List
It’s an event that hasn’t happened in hundreds of years—not since the kings themselves were blessed and turned immortal by their beloved goddesses.
We reach the balcony, and I look at my mates again. Their eyes are on me, each of them the picture of confidence, support, and love. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to run from that.
I smile at them, not showing an ounce of the fear I feel drenching my insides.
There are a half dozen Occuli on the balcony with us, no doubt capturing every detail of my face so that all of Lumathyst can analyze and judge me later when they report on it.
I still as we draw near the statue of Evaluna, her face so close, so large, so overpowering. But it’s not her that slows my pace. It’s the vertical rectangle of what seems to be liquid starlight free-flowing at the edge of the balcony. The substance looks thick, as if the kings melted a few stars and are using magic to create what looks like an ever-churning doorway.
“Come, son.” Jullian Erhart beckons Kal toward the liquid silver door. He gives me a warm smile before heading over.
Jax, Pierce, and Axl follow, meeting their fathers and standing next to the floating door.
“Potential,” Baydel calls me, some magic magnifying his voice so the onlookers below can hear him. “Come.”
Icy rivulets make my blood feel thin and my knees wobble, but I force myself to move. Force myself to look at only my mates as I walk toward them.
Kal tucks me beneath his arm. “You will survive,” he whispers into my ear before he kisses the top of my head. “You’re the strongest person I know.”
I grin up at him, holding back tears. I couldn’t find my voice now if I tried.
The kings shift around me, Baydel holding a small golden glass vial in his hands. He shows it to the onlooking Occuli, then smiles at me. “The Athanry elixir,” he saysin a very practiced voice, nothing like the tone he’d given me minutes ago. “Enhanced with a drop of blood from the goddesses,” he continues, still playing to the Occuli’s attention. “The blood of our goddesses who guide us and watch over us until their reawakening. There are only four left.” He motions to a velvet-lined wooden box with four more vials lying in it. “The goddesses only left behind five vials. Five chances at a mate,” he says, glancing down at me, then lowers his voice. “In case you don’t survive.”
I don’t even have time to flinch at his whispered words before he continues.
Jullian steps over to me, a gleaming, gilded dagger in his hand.
“Do you choose the princes of Lumathyst as your mates?” Baydel asks, and I swear I can hear the crowd below holding their breath.
“I do,” I say, my eyes darting between Baydel and Jullian.
“Then take the dagger and repeat the sacred words I offer before sealing the promise in blood,” Baydel instructs.
I take the dagger from Jullian, barely registering his encouraging smile.
“I choose you to be my mates,” Baydel recites. “As long as my heart is beating, my soul is yours.”
I swallow hard, looking at each of my Legends. “I choose you,” I say, gripping that dagger in my right hand, “to be my mates. As long as my heart is beating, my soul is yours.” I drag the blade over my left palm, wincing slightly as I cut into my own flesh. Blood wells from the cut, and I lift it, showing the kings.
“Good,” Baydel says, stepping toward me with the vialin his hand. “Now, drink this, Chosen, and walk of your own accord through the doorway. Leave our realm and enter that of the goddesses using this magic created by them when their sons were born for this very moment. Let the goddesses judge you themselves. Be deemed worthy or unworthy of the princes of Lumathyst.”
I’m shivering, and Kal squeezes me tighter against him, Pierce and Axl and Jax moving like magnets, trying to keep the cool wind from nipping at my bare skin. Terror races down my spine as I look at the liquid silver—it looks thick enough to suffocate me.
Baydel hands me the vial, lowering his voice just slightly. “You’re allowed to say your goodbyes, just in case.”
I take the vial, studying the golden swirling elixir inside. It has an iridescent hue to it, not unlike the doorway before me. Baydel’s eyes are vats of arrogance and pride, and I tear myself away from the sight, turning to face my Legends.
Kal kisses me again, then releases me so the others can take their turn.
Axl hauls me against him, my toes dangling against the floor. “This is nothing, kitten,” he says. “Show your claws to whatever comes.” His warmth seeps into my skin, making it easier to breathe as he sets me on my feet, slanting a quick kiss over my lips before he moves.
Pierce is next, taking my hand in his and kissing the back in his signature endearment to me. It makes my heart flutter in my chest.
“I’m listening to my father now.”He speaks directly into my mind, the intimate caress gliding straight down the center of me.“The elixir is designed to test your body, your soul, your power. It will hunt for a weakness, anything tojudge whether you can handle immortality or not. Don’t let it win.”
I nod to him, hoping he can feel my determination, and then he kisses my hand one more time before making way for Jax.
My entire being wants to crumple at the sight of him. Wants to fall into my Nightmare’s arms and let him scare away anything that dares to frighten me. But I manage to remain upright as he stalks toward me, taking my chin in his fingers and tilting my head to meet his indigo eyes.
