Page 98 of Witch's Fate

“I can’t say I wouldn’t try to break Malcolm out if I could. I’d do anything to be with him.”

Mnemosyne nodded. “I know. You faced death to be with him, as he died to save you. And then he gave you all of his power through the bond you share. He would have faded to the unknown.”

Sofia swallowed hard, fear still beating in her chest. Could Mnemosyne do that to them? Make it so that their souls faded into nothing?

“Your commitment—your love—is rare. You have done what Orpheus should have.”

Sofia gripped Malcolm’s hand.

“Malcolm is here because his soul refused to leave you. He should have been sent to the sorcerer’s afterworld, but his soul refused to be parted from yours. So it lingered as a reincarnate. And you are here because you refused to leave Malcolm. But I can’t allow a still-living Mythean to stay in Mnemosynia. And after I healed you both, you are still alive.”

Sofia nodded, not daring to hope but unable to help herself.

“Therefore, I am going to let you both leave.”

Sofia gasped. Malcolm’s hand tightened in hers.

“Malcolm, you no longer bear the warlock’s curse. As your mentor Corrier told you, the greatest sacrifice will break the curse. You made that sacrifice. And because Sofia came to find you, I’ve decided to give you both a second chance at love.”

“Thank you.” Malcolm’s voice was rough. “But how did you—”

“Know? I know everything about the reincarnates in Mnemosynia.” She tapped her temple. “My mind is vast and memory is my gift. My curse.”

As a Titaness and the primary goddess of memory, it would be.

“So we can be together?” Sofia asked, her heart galloping as if it would break free of her chest. “Without fate conspiring against us?”

“Yes. You can.”

“Oh, fates, thank you,” Sofia said. She wanted to hug Mnemosyne, but resisted. The Titaness didn’t seem like the type.

“Thank you,” Malcolm said.

Mnemosyne inclined her head. “And as a gift to celebrate what I presume is your coming union, I thought you would like to know that the fourteen friends you lost in the battle of Bruxa’s Eye were all given the option of reincarnation as a reward for their bravery in fighting the High Witches.” Mnemosyne scowled. “They really were a blight upon the earth. Better that they are gone.”

“And?” Sofia asked.

“They all chose their afterworlds. Fortunately, they all subscribed to belief systems with afterworlds that they found favorable. Each one chose that over reincarnation. They all seemed happy. They’ll be joining old friends and family.”

Relief washed through Sofia. “Thank you so much. It does help to hear that.”

“Indeed.” She ran her hands over her skirt, smoothing the unlined fabric. “Now, it is time for you to go.”

She waved her hands at them and Sofia felt the aether drag her away.

A second later, Malcolm stood with Sofia in the middle of Bruxa’s Eye. Damage was everywhere. Mud and debris in the street, storefronts damaged. The whole front street on the wharf had been demolished, but dozens of Mytheans wereworking on it, clearing away the debris. The building that he’d blown up was a gaping hole in the street.

“Bloody hell,” he breathed. He looked down at himself, then at Sofia. They were both solid and whole. “We’re alive.”

Sofia nodded and flung her arms around his shoulders. “Thank fates.” She laughed. “And Mnemosyne.”

“No, thank you. Thank you for coming for me. I could see the sand from the gates, though I couldn’t see you. But I could feel you. I know what you went through.” He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. “Thank you for coming for me.”

“How could I not, after what you did for me? You sacrificed yourself for me. For my village. I can never thank you enough.”

“I owed it to your village after what I’d done. Taking the dagger was idiotic. And to protect you, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

“Don’t you dare. I’ll never forget what it felt like to watch you die.”

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