Page 190 of Heir of Broken Souls

“What makes you think that?” Delilah asks, her gaze riveted to the portal and Aurora and Zephlyn beyond.

I wave my hands at it as if in answer. “It was listening to Elysia. The moment we doubted that we could choose where it sends us, it changes to where we need to go.”

“No wonder he figured out how to summon demonic creatures from other lands,” Harlow says, gesturing to the portal. “He was inspired by his own prison.”

Lenox rubs the scruff along his jaw as he steps beside Harlow, almost…reflexively as he thinks. Her eyes widen but the surprise is there and gone as she slips a mask of indifference over her face once more.

Elysia and Delilah exchange a glance.

Looks like I’m not the only one who noticed.

Lenox’s voice fills the silent room. “Do you think we could take it with us?”

“I don’t see why not.” I shrug. “How we’re going to carry it and stow it, however…that will be tricky. We can’t have this falling into the wrong hands.”

“That’s if it doesn’t decide to disappear after spitting us out,” Elysia murmurs.

Delilah’s hand moves to her necklace. “Perhaps we conceal it. We can keep an eye on it without others knowing…if it doesn’t disappear.”

“Would we have to leave the swords in?” I voice aloud.

Delilah gasps, spinning to them as an emotion akin to loss tumbles down the bond between us. “Gods, I hope not. I can’t bear to part with my sword.”

Elysia steps beside her, shaking her head. “The prophecy I just received said join your steel and lunge with a roar. My guess is it’s the reunited blades.”

Delilah’s chest heaves with relief.

Turning away from the mirror, I face the room. “There’s so much history here, the secrets that were buried by their black magic. We need to come back and explore it.”

“We need to move it closer to Aloriah,” Axel mutters under his breath.

Lenox grunts. “It was no doubt there in the first place. It’s a safety concern for the royals to travel this far. If something were to happen, they’d be stranded.”

“Lenox is right,” I muse. “I’m not sure how but I have a feeling the twins dragged it out here in the middle of nowhere.”

“If Hazel was following us…” Axel stiffens at Elysia’s words. “How long until she reports back that we know everything?”

Elysia’s question makes everyone pause. Tension rises.

“We should move—quickly,” I say suddenly. “Everyone through the portal. Delilah?—”

I cannot believe these words are about to come out of my mouth.

“—I’ll stay half in and out of the portal, latched onto your hand, but you’ll have to be the last one out. I don’t trust the portal to remain upright once you pull the swords out.”

She nods her head encouragingly. “Both of them?”

“Both,” I confirm.

While my court jumps through the portal, mumbling assurances to the griffins and mermaids at our sudden reappearance, I spare one last glance around. Something deep within my heart and soul feels connected to this place. A part of me wonders if it’s my magic knowing it’s returned to its rightful place, or perhaps my blood as a Holloway knows its right to rule the lands of Aloriah and the Essence Court.

There and then, I make a vow. I’m unsure if I can keep it, but I wish it nonetheless.

To return to this now risen island, to the place where the governing courts deserve to rule out in harmony, and restore it to its former glory.

The mirror behind me glows, as if in answer to my silent vow.

I don’t have time to wonder if my thoughts are correct. Instead, I place one foot through the mirror, ignoring the odd sensation as I keep my other foot firmly planted within the governing island, and hold out my hand to Delilah.