Page 106 of A Bond in Flames

“We got you, Zinny,” Jazzy said, tears sliding down her face, her eyes bright with joy, with relief that her big sister was alive. “Let’s give her all the power she needs.”

“One, two… three.” Power surged through me, and I cried out, holding on, holding it inside me. I wouldn’t let go until the right moment.

I closed my eyes, and a vision of Zinnia standing over the child filled my mind once more. Her red hair flew around her face. “Now,” she yelled, calling out to us.

“Now,” I called back and released it, sending every bit of magic we had through the connection between us.

* * *

Zinnia

I pressed my finger to the blood on Marigold’s forehead, mixing my blood with Death’s as power surged through me and into my daughter’s tiny body. She jolted, her mouth opening on a small cry.

I yanked my hand away, and the connection between Rose and me fell away.Oh goddess.

“Marigold?” I brushed her hair back from her face. She had to be okay. “Wake up for Mommy.”

Her eyelids quivered.

“Marigold?”

She blinked once, twice—then stared up at me with wide blue eyes.

My heart felt as if it exploded in my chest, and my hand shook as I brushed her hair back again. “Hello, baby,” I whispered.

She sat up, and her hair, long and soft and as black as night, fell around her shoulders.

We stared at each other, those wide blue eyes identical to Death’s searching mine.

Then finally, she reached up, her hand touching my jaw, still blinking as if she was trying to clear her vision, and then she tilted her head to the side like Death often did and smiled. “Mommy.”

She felt it. Oh goddess, she felt the connection between us the same way I did. A tear streaked down my cheek as I scooped her up and held her to me.

She wrapped her little arms around me tight. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said in her sweet little voice.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I took so long, baby.” I stood, carrying her from the room as Pascal burst through the doors, covered in blood and ash. He was scratched and bruised, but thankfully, nothing life-threatening.

“Pascal!” Marigold cried, her eyes lighting up.

He dipped into a bow and grinned at her. “Lady Marigold, princess of Limbo, queen of all witches, as always, I am at your service.”

She giggled.

“We spent a lot of time together in the Dream Realm, didn’t we, Mari, with Uncle Somnus.”

She nodded, then rested her head on my shoulder.

“Queen of witches?” I’d definitely felt her magic. I’d been right; the other half of Marigold’s DNA was witch, and somehow, her bloodline was connected to my coven.

“You know your soul was once a star, yes?” Pascal said.

It seemed impossible, but it was true. “Yes.”

“Well, you had sisters, and when you were pulled from the sky, they fell with you, but they were scattered to different realms. You and your sisters were the very first witches. No, they didn’t practice magic like you do, but the magic was there.”

“How do you know this?”

“I’ve been around a very long time, Zinnia, in the Night Realm and a part of Nox’s court.” His mouth twisted, hatred filling his eyes. “She truly is an evil bit—” His gaze slid to Marigold.

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