A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2)(59)
Author: Suzanne Young

“You really would have done it,” she says. “Even with a new body, you’d still give up everything.”

My eyelids flutter open, but I’m surrounded in a blinding glow. I bring up my palm to shade my eyes, but it doesn’t help. I’m not sure where I am, but it’s so . . . beautiful. “What’s that light?” I ask, blinking against it.

“That’s you, child,” Marceline says, her image only a silhouette among the gold surrounding us. “But don’t worry, we have time.”

“Time for what?”

“Tell me,” she continues, ignoring my question. “How many times would you do it, you think? How many times would you sacrifice yourself for good?”

“Every time,” I answer automatically. I watch as Marceline pulls a long strip of fabric from her pocket, a ribbon, before tying it on the end of my braid. The movement is familiar, and I wonder what other secrets Marceline has kept about my past.

The light continues to grow, and Marceline leans closer, her face finally coming into focus. “You are hope,” she murmurs. “You can restore balance, but it won’t be easy.”

“It never was,” I say, struggling to sit up. I realize then that I’m filled with memories, both mine and Charlotte’s. It’s like I’ve lived one full life and not two separate ones.

“Not yet,” Marceline says, gently pushing me down. She’s quiet for a while, rubbing my arms, my hands. “Harlin needs you,” she whispers. “He loves you too much.”

I smile a little. “I know. But I like that about him.”

“As a Seer, he has so much left to do,” Marceline says. “Both of you do.”

I pause then, digesting her words. “Again?” I ask. Sadness spikes through me. I’m not sure my boyfriend can take much more loss. “Harlin will have to watch me leave again? It’ll kill him.”

“No,” Marceline responds, as if I should know better. “Your time for crossing is over. Now you must help Harlin find the Forgotten and lead them to their destinies. And, of course, extinguish the Shadows where you can.”

“My sister?”

“Lucy, too.” She pauses. “Unless you find another way.”

“I will.”

She smiles. “You really are such a brave soul. Your father will be happy to see you again.” Her bracelets clink together as she moves away. “Well then, Elise,” Marceline says, using my name for the first time since I’ve known her. “I guess it’s time for you to wake up.”

There is still so much I want to know, want to ask. But before I can say anything else, the world stops. There’s silence around me.

I wait a beat, and when I finally sit up, I find Harlin waiting for me—ready to start again.