put her comforting hands on my shoulders. “But right now, Pasha…it is time to fulfill your destiny.”
I swallowed and focused on the task at hand. As if Finn, my friends, and the entire Tyde Order weren’t enough motivation, now I knew that my father was alive. And waiting for me. As a surge of renewed energy shot through me, I stood up straight and smiled confidently at my mother.
“I’m ready.”
Chapter 39
Glancing over my shoulder one more time at my mom, I took a deep breath and leapt into the raging rapids below. The dark water didn’t hesitate to draw me under, and I automatically took a deep breath. As the water filled my lungs and circulated through my body, I realized with horror that I’d made a mistake. As if I had swallowed a mouthful of fire, dancing flames licked at the insides of my body; scorching my throat and burning my muscles. I clamped my mouth shut and desperately held my breath. As the water continued sizzling through every cell, I flowed downstream within the rapids doing my best to avoid any large rocks. I had no idea how much further I had to go, but I knew I couldn’t hold my breath for too much longer.
Helpless to control the monstrous, angry river that I was currently in the grips of, I held on for dear life. As the need for oxygen starved my brain and muscles of clarity and energy, I fought to get my head above the water. Unfortunately, the strength of the current rolled me over and tossed me in every direction except up. Feeling the fuzzy blackness knocking at my consciousness, I opened my mouth and again breathed in the scorching water I was submerged in. Once again, it roared into my lungs; burning the whole way down. As I felt it revitalize my muscles and lessen in its intensity, I continued to take in deep breaths, ignoring the pain. Clarity returned, and I was able to think about what was happening. The more breaths I took, the less it burned.
Like salt on a wound, it was a pain I had never experienced; but as it burned, it healed. As it faded, it made me stronger. As it disappeared completely, I was reborn. Allowing the river to take me ever closer to the waterfall, I was no longer scared. This is what I was meant to do. I closed my eyes and smiled; welcoming the ferocity of the water I was immersed in.
My head was yanked backwards all of a sudden, as something latched onto my hair. As I fought to be released, I met the searing gaze of Nadia. She successfully wrapped her hand around a fistful of my hair when I felt my legs drop over the waterfall. As the rapids rushed over my body, Nadia was attempting to pull me back up. A calm determination fell over me and in that moment, there was nothing that would stop me from going over that waterfall. I reached up, grabbed her wrist and twisted as hard as I could. I felt the breaking of her bones and heard her shout as she released my hair just enough for the falls to pull me out of her grip. Then I was falling.
I was no longer in the waterfall; I was a part of it. Its energy merged with mine and rushed within. A flash of light lit up the world around me, and I was suddenly lying on something soft. I instantly knew what had caught me. The ocean. I smiled as I heard it calling to me; singing. I felt its welcome embrace and acceptance as I silently sank beneath the surface. Unable to move, I sank down to the soft sand on the bottom and watched the light from the sun scatter and create magnificent prisms above. Wobbly bubbles began to form and rise all around me. As they ran over my skin and sent tingles through me, I watched them float soundlessly to the surface.
My attention was caught by a small shadow that drifted downward; gently sinking like a feather in the wind. The closer it got, the brighter it became. It shone bright aqua; pulsing and flashing silver beams from its depths. No longer a shadow, the bright ball of light halted right above my chest. I looked on, mesmerized, as it began to spin at an incredible speed. Completely entranced, I almost missed the moment when it plunged into my body with an immense explosion, sending me spiraling down, down, down….
I hit the marsh with incredible speed, and allowed my body to float back up to the surface on its own. Once my face broke the surface, I sucked in a breath of oxygen and let out an exasperated cry of joy. Everything was brighter, sharper. I could distinguish each individual aroma drifting along the breeze and discern the smallest of sounds; easily pinpointing where they had originated. I kicked to the side of the marsh and lifted myself up onto the bank. As I looked back at the waterfall, the same thick fog clung to its waters, keeping it hidden. Glancing back once more at the thick fog, I turned my attention to the next obstacle. Getting home.
I knew that Nadia would be looking for me, which meant I needed to get out of there as fast as possible. I took off in a sprint along the banks of the marsh; picking up the pace as the River of Forgetfulness flowed gently to my right. If the map I had memorized in my head was correct, once the River of Fire was visible on my right, I would be nearing the Groves as well as the Gates of Horn and Ivory. I could have run for miles without becoming winded, as my newfound strength coursed through me and recharged my muscles every several minutes. As the heat of the River of Fire swelled up beside me, I spotted the Groves on my left. I only slowed when I reached the mouth of a towering white arch. It reminded me of the arch in St. Louis that I had seen pictures of. It was a pearly white, smooth stone and stood impossibly high. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure I hadn’t been followed, when I saw a small tree on the outskirts of the Groves. Deep red fruit hung from its branches. Pomegranate.
Without hesitation, I jogged over to the tree and quickly picked one of the lower hanging pomegranates from a branch. The round fruit fit perfectly in my palm as I clutched it carefully and ran back to the Gate. As I stood before its grandeur, I wished for some kind of instruction or a hint as to what to do next. Did I just walk through it? Did I need to say something? Had Carmen and Phoebe made it through without an issue?
“You have succeeded,” a velvety voice stated simply. Persephone, in all her glory, had appeared directly in front of me; creating a barrier between me and the Gate. “What do you plan to do with your newfound essence?”
“I’ll become the rightful Leader of the Tydes,” I proclaimed with an inner pride.
She nodded, “Your destiny.”
“That’s right,” I held her gaze.
“If that is so, young goddess, then why do you feel the need to take back a souvenir?” She sneered at the hand that held the pomegranate.
“It’s just…insurance,” I stumbled, and she chuckled softly.
“You would give up everything…” She shook her head at me in disappointment, “Then you are a fool. No man is worth any level of sacrifice. Not even Finn.” My heart jumped at his name. She sensed my surprise and smiled wickedly. “Love is a figment of your imagination. It isn’t real, sweet Anastasia. We create love. Love destroys us. The end.”
“Real love is worth any sacrifice,” I countered. “My heart goes out to you and to the sacrifice you were forced to make.”
“And yet you consider making the very same sacrifice. Voluntarily.”
“If it comes to that.”
“I find your idealistic view endearing; however you will find that there is no love greater than self. We are selfish beings who will always put ourselves first when presented with the choice. You are no exception, Anastasia.”
“Have you ever been in love?” I inquired with genuine curiosity.
“Yes,” she retorted as her golden eyes hardened. “And it destroyed me. Now leave.” She narrowed her eyes at me and I knew that I had outstayed my welcome. I was also eager to get back to my body and to find Finn. I could only hope that I still had enough time.
“Thank you, Persephone,” I obliged gratefully. Her face softened and she disappeared without another word.
I turned my attention to the Gate towering above me. I decided that the best plan of action was to simply walk through it and let it take me where it may. Fearlessly, I strode beneath the looming arch. As I stepped onto
