Page 134 of The Eighth Sin

“He’s going to kill you,” Dez blurted out. “You can’t return, Rosina. You have to?—”

“This must be done, Dez.” I swallowed back the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. “Minerva said this was the only way to keep him safe. To everyone here, this child no longer lives. I have to ask you to bear the weight of this secret, Dez. Let him have a chance. I’ll make sure that Ryuk can’t get to him, and thathewill never come back. It’s best that way. This world is too cruel, too unforgiving, and unworthy of him.”

When my gaze lifted to Dez again, the blue in his eyes looked so pale as they stared back at me.

“I’m sorry,” he cried. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I should have done something?—”

“Youare,” I reminded him.

Then, I cradled my son to my chest and walked past Dez, nearing the rift that separated our two worlds. I waited until I stepped through it, and I was safe from any prying ears to whisper to him. “My sweet boy… You won’t remember these words, but I pray to the stars that you keep them in your heart.”

I walked toward the gate that I knew would be here and lifted a hand, allowing my magic to flow through the wards and open it. I was surprised they held after all this time.

“The stars showed Minerva something else. Something that will grant me enough peace knowing I can’t be here to protect you any longer.”

Before approaching the castle, I added one more thing to the wards. Ryuk would never enter this home again. Even if he came looking, these gates would remain locked to him, and my boy would be safe from his wrath.

“Your father will do everything in his power to rid his world of every source of light, until all they know is the death that comes at his hand, but you are not him. You are not the destruction they thought you would be. And I know that I’m leaving you, and this world feels dark, but light will find you. And when she does, the sunwillshine again. And you will feel its warmth.”

I dropped to my knees clutching him to my chest as my own sobs broke free. How could I say goodbye? How could I leave him?

“Rosina?” a familiar voice called, descending the steps of the castle. “Oh my gods…” Mara looked down at the baby in my arms. “Is he…”

“He’s mine,” I told her. “Mara, there is something I must ask of you…”

She didn’t say anything, but understanding reflected back in her eyes.

Then, I lowered him from my chest and looked at him once more. “Forgive me, Tristan. Please forgive what I must do…”

I closed my eyes and called for a small piece of my light before placing a kiss on his head. It took little effort to transfer it into his little body, so that a piece of me might live with him forever. It was all Icoulddo.

“I love you.”

I could hardly look at him as I passed him to Mara, forcing myself to turn away even as my heart scratched at my chest to turn around. But this was the only way. Ryukhadto believe he had won, or Tristan would never be safe.

Please protect him, I thought, willing my prayers to the stars that no longer shone here. They had given up on this wasteland the second we destroyed it. But my pleas weren’t to themorto Mara.

They were to the light I knew would bring Tristan home and give him the life thatIcouldn’t. To the queen that would change her destiny, and burn away the darkness once and for all. Thetrueprophecy.

For one lights the path… and one ends it all.

To be continued…