As we make our way through the streets, several people stop and stare at us. Fierce protectiveness fills me, and I want only to take Kyra far away from all of this, but I cannot. We don’t know how to get home, and even if we did, we’d be damning this world and ours if we do not complete our quest.
Remembering the terrible images of destruction that Willow showed us, a small shudder runs through me. No. For better or worse, we must see this through. This is the reason we were reborn in this life. We have to save our two worlds.
When we reach the mage’s guild, a man in long gray robes greets us as soon as we dismount. He motions for another man to watch Nox and Halen.
Kyra pats Nox on the nose, then says, “We will.”
I can only assume he told her to be careful, which is what I would say if I were him.
She turns to me. “Nox says they want to stay here. This is where they came from with the light mages.”
I look back at him and Halen and gently run my hand along his jaw. “Thank you, my friends. For all of your help.”
Kyra smiles. “He says we will see them again.”
I take her hand in mine as we face the light mage. He stares at us curiously. “You understand them?” he asks Kyra.
She nods.
A faint smile tips his lips as if satisfied by her answer. He bows low. “My queen. We have waited a long time for your arrival.” He motions to the doors. “Come. We have much to tell you.”
Chapter 28
Cael
With Kyra’s hand in mine, we follow behind the mage as he leads us into the building. Our footsteps echo as we walk beneath the massive domed ceiling. The entire structure is carved from white marbled stone with veins of black and gray. Intricate designs and patterns of nature scenes are etched into the stone, winding around the columns and up to the ceilings. Sunlight filters in through large stained-glass windows scattering a brilliant display of colors across the patterned tile floors.
Several mages, dressed in long gray and white robes, eye us curiously as we pass. Many dip their chins in a subtle bow to Kyra. If Nox’s words are correct, they must recognize her light and who she is—the reincarnation of Queen Alora.
The mage leads us through a large set of doors into a huge library. Floor-to-ceiling walls of books and rolled scrolls and parchments stretch at least six stories high, each level with various ladders and walkways to reach them.
I notice a mage high up, returning a book and marvel at how brave he is. I have always hated heights. Another mage walks toward us, this one wearing long white robes. She bows low as she approaches. Long black hair, streaked through with gray, hangs down around her shoulders. Her piercing lavender eyes study us from head to toe before she smiles warmly in greeting.
“I am High Mage Loryn, and I am honored to meet you both. We have been awaiting your return for many years.”
Kyra meets her gaze evenly, looking every bit the queen I remember in our previous life. “It is good to see that the Light Mage’s Guild still serve the God of Creation. But, I must ask… are they still loyal to their queen?”
Loryn bows low. “Of course, your majesty. That is why we have sent several mages to find you. The moment we sensed your return to this world.”
I step forward. “Three of them were murdered on their journey.”
Her mouth drifts open.
I continue. “We killed the men who took their lives.”
She dips her chin in a subtle bow. “Then we thank you for avenging our brethren.”
Kyra takes my hand. “We have come here for the crown. We also have many questions that we seek to answer.”
The mage frowns as she cocks her head to the side to regard us. It doesn’t escape my notice how her gaze lingers on our joined hands. “Then, you have been unable to access all of your memories?”
Kyra darts a glance at me. We anticipated this—the mages asking us questions that would reveal we have not regained all of our memories. But the light mages were always loyal to the queen. It is why the castle was built beside their citadel. Remembering the visions Willow showed us, we know we need answers and we need them now. We do not have time to allow our memories to return on their own. Not when the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.
Kyra meets her eyes evenly. “Ever since we arrived here, we have been receiving random bits and fragments of our previous lives but not enough to… know exactly what happened in the past. How I died and what I must do here now.”
“I will tell you all that I know,” Loryn replies solemnly. Her gaze sweeps to me. “But it may be difficult to hear the truth of it.”
Kyra narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”
The light mage looks again to me.
“He was your downfall.”
Chapter 29
Cael
“No,” Kyra states firmly. “I don’t believe that.”
She defends me so vehemently, it tugs at my heart, but I fear the mage is right. I grit my teeth in frustration. As much as I dread it, I know we must hear the truth. If I am to make certain I do not repeat the mistakes I made in our past life, I need to know what happened.
“Please.” I look to the mage. “Tell us everything you know.”
She dips her head in a subtle bow.
“For that and for the crown, I must take you to the tomb.”
We follow Loryn into a series of dark tunnels beneath the building. She conjures a sphere of light that hovers close to us as we walk, illuminating our path through the darkness. Fear coils tight around
