House of Royale (Secret Keepers #4)(73)

“If you’d like this to be a family thing,” I offered quietly, “I’m happy to stay behind. My heart is breaking for all of you, but I don’t know Marsil personally, and maybe I’m—”

I didn’t get a chance to finish before Ambra and Roland stepped forward, and then they … hugged me. Tight. Like parents would. Which had my heart cracking right down the center.

“You are family,” Roland said, his deep voice rumbling all around me. “Lexen told me everything that happened while you were gone, and there is no doubt in my mind that the eight of you … you’re family.”

“We would like you there,” Ambra added as they both released me.

I couldn’t speak, my throat clogged with emotions, so I just nodded.

Daniel stepped over to the edge of the justices, leaning out very far over the tree-filled land below. Light spread out from his hands, starting small, before it shimmered all the way down the huge cascading steps.

The beam got wider and longer, and when Daniel dropped his hand, the light did not disappear.

“Redemption time,” he said, before he sat down on the beam and pushed off.

“A giant rainbow slide … well, okay then,” I murmured as one by one everyone got on and pushed their way down the light.

When it was my turn—Xander right behind me—I dropped down, surprised to feel my body almost mold into the light. It was warm and soft, and as I started to slide, there was no out-of-control feeling, just a smooth glide all the way down. I was so fascinated with watching the lands below, trees and fire and monsters and water, that I almost missed the fact that I was closing in on the end. Luckily Daniel was there; he caught me before I could do an impressive tumble across the land. “Oh, thanks,” I said, when he set me on my feet.

“No problem. I figured most of you would be distracted.”

Not Xander. He sailed down like a boss, landing smoothly. The mood in the group was a strange mix of somber and excited as Daniel strode further into the pretty land. It was very fairy-tale-esque, with streams and green rolling hills, and that perfect warm temperature where you felt comfortable and not hot.

“There are souls here?” I asked, looking around. It seemed deserted.

“Yes,” Lexen said quietly. “But they’re not visible to us, not normally. They exist in their own version of paradise.”

Daniel, who had disappeared briefly behind some trees, reappeared then, and he wasn’t alone.

Ambra let out a choked cry, her hand going to her mouth as she ran toward them, Roland, Lexen, Star, and Jero right behind her. The rest of us let them go across first, strolling very slowly toward the group.

Marsil looked just like his brothers: dark hair, stocky build. A little shorter. A little less beautiful than Lexen but definitely still a Darken. He had his arms wrapped around Ambra; she trembled against him. “I love you, Mom,” I heard him whisper as he held her tight.

“How long do they have?” Callie asked Daniel.

“I’ll give them as much time as I can,” he replied, voice hoarse. “But there’s only so long I can draw Marsil into this realm without depleting my energy to the point of endangering my house.”

Eventually Marsil was hugged by all of his family, and the tears were flowing all around again. But there was a … happy feel to the emotion this time.

“You chose redemption,” Star said. “I’m surprised.”

Marsil grinned at her. “Do you remember Jenna—we grew up together? She was my best friend, and when she was killed in that cave-in … I haven’t felt whole since.”

“It was a freak accident, right?” Roland said, remembering.

Marsil nodded. “Yes, it was. She has always held my heart, and I hoped she was here. I chose to remain as I was in this life so that I could see her again. And all of you, if it was possible.”

Ambra sobbed, reaching forward to push her son’s hair back.

“Did you?” Star asked, her eyes bright.

“I found her,” he said, happy. “Please know that I’m content. I will wait for you to join me one day. Redemption is the perfect kind of—”

His words were cut off.

Daniel lunged forward and grabbed Marsil’s arm, stopping him from flickering away.

“I can’t hold you much longer,” Daniel warned. “Don’t talk about the afterlife. It’s not for anyone to know until it’s their time.”

Marsil nodded, before he stepped forward again and hugged his family, one by one, each of them whispering last words of goodbye. I had to step away, because I wasn’t sure I could watch this for one more moment and not sob my heart out.

“I love you,” I heard Emma say, and I turned enough to see her hugging him. “Thank you for everything. I will never forget you.”

“I love you too,” Marsil whispered. “Look after my brother. He needs someone to keep him in line.”

Lexen didn’t smile. He looked like his was gritting his teeth actually, jaw rigid, brow furrowed. He was hurting.

“It’s time,” Daniel said a few moments later. “I’m sorry.”

All of the Darkens held their hands out towards Marsil, and he did the same back. Slowly, he started to fade. Just before he disappeared completely, he said: “Oh, and there’s one last thing…”