Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)

by Rebecca Ross

You will learn to live outside of it again, as impossible as that may sound. Others who share your pain will also help you heal. Because you are not alone. Not in your fear or your grief or your hopes or your dreams. You are not alone.

He said, “I don’t think I have much of a choice, Nan.” Nan puffed and swatted his hand. “There is always a choice. Are you going to let your father write your story, or will you?”

“I pray that my days will be long at your side. Let me fill and satisfy every longing in your soul. May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust. Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine.”

She imagined their future. All the things she wanted to do with him. Experience with him. All the things she would never taste now. “Kitt,” she whispered. And she didn’t think he could hear her, but she hoped he could feel the force of such a whisper in his chest. How deep her love was for him. Something small and shiny was falling from the clouds. But Iris didn’t let its descent draw her eyes from Roman. She held his steady gaze, waiting for the bomb to hit the ground between them.

The words reverberated through her. Echoed down her arms and legs as she flailed against him. The light dimmed. The colors were melting. But she saw Roman rise from the grass. He was only five meters away. He could no longer run; he could hardly walk. Her heart broke when she realized he had crawled through the gold to reach her. Blood dripped from his chin.