The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,160
so did I.
—How...?—Even the phantom was baffled, not understanding what I’d done.
“The bonding magic,” Ophelia explained with a grin.
“Ashleigh,” my father shouted from the throne. He hadn’t been herded to one side of the room like everyone else because he couldn’t lift his heavy golden shoes. “Ashleigh,” he repeated. “Help me. Please.”
I spared him the barest glance and called from the flames, “I’d love to help you, Father, but I’m just too...me.”
Saxon shuddered with relief as the fire began to die. As those flames were finally extinguished, however, the strength I’d gathered abandoned me completely.
I had a choice to make. Temporarily give Leonora my body, risking her taking over for good?
If I was going to die either way...
I would rather die trying to take the phantom with me.
“Kill...her,” I managed to rasp.
Saxon flinched, but nodded. “Pagan,” he shouted. “I need my friends.”
As my beautiful baby allowed our allies to slip free of the corner and approach us, I got busy, magically stitching Leonora’s essence to my body.
—What are you doing? Stop.—
“Noel?” Saxon snapped.
“Put her down,” the oracle commanded. “Everyone else, form a circle around her and clasp hands. As you heard, Ashleigh has the magical ability to bond two things that do not belong together. That’s how she and Saxon lived twice before. The first Ashleigh did not die when the phantom overtook her; she was always in there, working behind the scenes, just as the phantom Leonora did during this life. She figured out her magical ability and fused a piece of her heart to Saxon’s. Fate recognized her sacrifice and took care of the reincarnations, giving you other chances to recover what Leonora had stolen, since your hearts are so entwined, but the connection grows thin, unable to thrive in another life. Now, we’re going to wait as she gives Leonora her body. Just for a few minutes. Ashleigh, whenever you’re ready.”
“Let go, love,” Saxon cooed. “I’ve got you.”
“Almost...done,” I told him. Any second now, I would lock Leonora’s connection and cut mine, the pieces now in place. “Need space.” I didn’t want him anywhere near Leonora.
He kissed my temple. As gently as possible, he laid me on the floor and remained crouched at my side. Roth, Everly, Dior, Noel, and Ophelia formed a circle around me. The entire group clasped hands, as ordered.
—This isn’t going to work. I cannot be killed. I’ve been inside dying bodies before.—Despite her words, she sounded nervous.
Flames flickered at the tips of my fingers. Saxon pressed his hands against mine to snuff out the flames, and the bond held. He remained unharmed.
Let the fire rage. Let the flame purify.
“Now,” I screamed.
With a final stream of magic, I gave Leonora my body and severed my connection to it. I lost all physical sensation. Suddenly, I was just...floating inside Leonora’s mind, watching the world through her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Asha, but there’s no other way.” Tears ran down Saxon’s cheek as he lifted my dagger with a shaky hand.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I heard my voice, but I was not speaking. Leonora was. “Saxon, please don’t hurt me. I’m Ashleigh. Your Asha.”
He held her down with one hand and pressed the blade to her heart with the other.
“Please,” she begged.
His tears fell faster. He stared at her—at me, his heart in his eyes. Our heart. The others offered encouragement, but he grunted and shook his head. “No. I can’t. I can’t hurt you, even now. I love you, Asha.”
No! If Leonora could control my body without a bond, I could hers. And I should have more success, since I was the original owner.
“Don’t forget to bond with your body when she’s dead,” Ophelia called. “We’ll do the rest.”
“Now, Ashleigh,” Noel shouted.
The clock struck midnight—Ding.
I managed to smile at him.
Leonora’s voice filled my essence, and I knew she was screaming her thoughts at me, the way I’d done to her. “This will not work. This will not work. Don’t—”
Ding.
Empowered by my success, I arched my back—sinking the blade into my chest.
31
And now we’ve reached the end of our tale.
Did they succeed...or did they fail?
SAXON
Ding.
Ashleigh—Leonora—screamed, the sound of her pain and anguish almost more than I could bear.
The dragons squawked with fear and fury.
“Heal her,” I shouted.
Ding.
“Not yet,” Noel snapped.
Leonora peered up at me through her own blue eyes, but she had Ashleigh’s face, and I couldn’t hate her in this moment.
She parted her lips. Blood gurgled out.
I took her hand and squeezed tight. Could Ashleigh feel me in there?