Page 104 of Trial of Thorns
“Nothing specific,” Caelynn says. “It’s said to whisper your own thoughts back to you. The things you’ll think just before your death.”
I swallow. “Well, that’s pleasant.”
“Why would they make that a rite of passage?” Ty asks.
“They say only the strongest can face their own death and continue forward. Death can be an ally like any other.”
My head whips in her direction. She meets my stare, with a determined gaze.
“Are you ready to meet death?” I ask her breathlessly.
“I’ve been ready for a very long time.”
Caelynn
Iclench my jaw, staringat a stolen moment of my childhood. It’s a moment children fear but are also eager for because several rights are unsealed after this ritual. We are allowed to travel to the human world, for one. We are allowed to seek a mate and leave our parents homes, though most don’t for several years. We begin our trade-specific training. Our magic grows to its strongest in the years after the ritual.
I’m going to complete it now.My heart aches but warms at the thought.
It will never be like it should have been. With my parents and the Queen of the Whisperwood standing on the other side, ready to greet me. With a full celebration planned for the day after.
Had I not gotten lost on the wrong day, in the wrong place, and taken the wrong route home. The wrong tunnel inside the cave of mysteries—the same cave we’re planning to travel to now. Everything would have been different. I’d have completed my ritual and been a full member of the Shadow Court.
But I still take solace that, finally, I get to pass the gates.
I am ready to face my death. Part of me is eager for it.
At the very least, I am a hell of a lot more eager for death than I am to enter the cave of mysteries again. If there was any part of these trials I may fall apart and fail, it’s that. The orb tried to show me my worst fear, but it was hollow. It was nothing like what I’ve already faced.
And though I will very easily choose death rather than take that tunnel again, I’ll be close to it. So close to the real thing. Whether that creature is still there or not—I don’t know. But I will always assume he’ll be there waiting for me.
I take in a shaky breath. I have to stop focusing on that. Passing through the gate will be hard enough.
I pull in a long breath and then march through the shimmering magic of the Black Gate.
***
