Page 158 of Summer of Sacrifice

His cheeks were wet with tears, too, but they weren’t done. Not yet.

Wordlessly, they dropped to the cliff’s edge and stalked toward the ancient, shrivelled husk of a woman crumpled on the ground.

Winnie kicked her over, and Laurent bent to check her pulse.

“She’s alive,” he said softly, “barely.”

Aggie had taken back her kernel of Primordial magic. But she had not taken this fallen goddess’ life. The others, the Acolytes, had fallen into death’s embrace, their magic still tied to their souls. Somehow, Aggie and Grimm had untangled magic from the other souls, allowing them to live until her death placed the magic back in them, upon her choosing.

Athania was different. And Aggie had honoured that difference.

The last, parting gift to the goddess who was once her friend, her chosen sister.

But Winnie had no such mercy.

Moving to look down over the cliffside, she saw everything Aggie and Grimm had sacrificed themselves for. Below, a multitude of differing people joined together in mourning, in triumph, in love, in gratitude.

It would be a long, long road ahead of them. Painful and free. The most bitter of sweet things.

Tears and snot streaming down her face, Winnie stalked back toward the woman responsible for all their pain. The blade of her sword dragged behind her across the rock until she stood above the prone woman.

She kicked her in the ribs, and Athania’s eyes peeled open. Lips pulling back from her teeth in a snarl, Winnie’s voice was like gravel as she said, “Good. I want you to watch this.”

Wendolyn Joubert, the eldest Sister Solstice, lifted her sword above her and screamed as she brought it down on Athania’s neck, severing her head from her body.

When it was done, black blood coating her boots, Winnie dropped her sword, letting it clatter to the rock. Laurent was there by her side in an instant, her pillar in the stormy sea.

“Lau,” she whimpered, “my Sister…”

“Shh, bábóg. I’ve got you.” He caught her as she fainted.

Two Years Later

SELESTE

The Sisters’ time was split between their homes with the people groups they led, and Castle Merveille, where Aggie and Grimm had left a signed decree, disassembling the monarchy. Leaving Seagovia, instead, to be governed by her people.

And the people had elected Tindle as their leader.

Once over the initial shock, he’d assembled a council of incredible people from all walks of life, Dulci, Anne, and Augustus remaining.

Seagovia was beautiful, leading the rest of Midlerea into a new era of magic, freedom, and peace.

Moving forward after the loss of Aggie and Grimm had been impossible. Once laid to rest in their tomb—together—the grief rocked Seagovia, echoing across Midlerea.

They had, however, grown somewhat used to their new normal.

Arielle repeatedly sent them all letters, reminding them that Aggie and Grimm were waiting for them on the other side.

That this was not the end. That there was no real end.

Fifty Years Later

SORSCHA

It was the day after the Summer Solstice, and Sister Spring lounged with her Sister Winter and Sister Summer on the beach, basking in the glow of the sun, hot sand cradling them.

“We’re getting old,” Winnie hummed, looking at age spots beginning to show on her fair hands.

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