Imperial ((Imperial) Web of Hearts and Souls) (31 page)

The Reaper smirked. “You are the queen of wrath for a reason, my sweet Glory. Do not let that girl inside loose, only to kill another part of you. Become both, rule the way your soul tells you to. Seek what your soul wishes you to.”

I bowed slightly, telling him I would do just that.

“I will warn you of this: this is a vast web you are vowing to untangle. So vast that even I cannot clearly see a rapid escape from it.”

“A web that will teach me patience?”

“Very much so.”

“If I had never perished, that is also true of my First?”

“I’m afraid not,” he said in the ghost of a whisper. “Rise,” the Reaper said to Mazing.

She did so gracefully, which was hard to do considering every muscle in her body was not only flexed, but trembling slightly.

“You feel your fate is complete?” he said to her.

“My queen is safe. I have a debt to pay.”

“What debt is that?”

Mazing struggled to find the words. “I was disloyal.”

“Yet, your heart sought someone who was in fact from your line.”

“I’m aware now, but not then. I openly sinned.”

“As each soul does.”

“I was disloyal to him.”

“How so?”

“I never once released my emotions to him; therefore, I did not trust him. That lack of trust led me here.”

“I see.” The Reaper weighed her words deeply. “Anger,” he mused. A smirk came to his gleaming image. “You are reprieved.”

Mazing gasp, then swayed.

I knew that Mazing was needed to love Silas, to keep him alive so he could protect my daughter, but she did not. Her emotions were of anger right now.

Deep down, she had wanted to run from the scent of Colton, wanted to hide in death like I had done, but the Reaper would not allow that. She was angry right now, an anger that she would forevermore have to fight with when it came to the memory of Colton. Oh, if she only knew what great things were in store for her.

The Reaper stood, a sign that we should bow once more. As we did, he stepped closer, and when I felt his hand on my head I felt my power, the power that he had harbored during my brief reprieve, restoring to me, waving across my soul.

It was not returned to me in the same manner in which it was taken. The wrath, the intense pain of a past I could not change, the raw impatience had vanished from it. It was as if the Reaper had washed those stains away, and now my power as a sovereign was restored to me in its purest form, the form in which it was given to me by the Creator himself.

“Safe passage, my dear confidant.” And with that, he vanished.

I had to smile as I felt the sweet release of agony.

I stood, but Mazing held her bow. She was trying to find the strength to return to the corporeal world, to the scent of Colton—now Silas—that haunted her.

I reached out for her essences and took my warrior’s rage and anger away. She would create more, no doubt, but she was to be given a brief rest, one that she so desperately needed.

Mazing rose at that moment and reached out to hug me. I held her tightly.

“I know it feels like hell now, but trust me when I say that when you walk through hell you are guaranteed to find bliss on the other side.”

She offered no words, only a tight squeeze before letting me go.

At that moment, I vanished from her side and appeared before my Vade.

He smiled tenderly down at me. “I take it that went well.”

“Apparently, I was never dead.”

“You don’t say,” Vade said, raising one brow. That was when it hit me: this entire time I had waited for him to avenge my death, take down all those kings and rescue me from my death—a death that didn’t occur. Basically, I had run from him and he had waited for me to return.

“Hindsight blows,” I teased.

“If you learn to read it, you will learn to peer forward with the same understanding.”

“I’ll work on that.”

Vade leaned down and let his lips tenderly frame mine. “Are you ready for this?” he asked as his lips released mine.

I glanced to Rasp and Mazing, who were waiting at our side.

“Am I ready to turn some heads? Make a few people tremble with fear? Why yes, yes I am.”

He grinned as he took my hand and each of us appeared at the edge of the Veil. A mass of souls had now gathered, and once they saw us each bowed to one knee, which told us that among these souls before us there were no traitors; just souls waiting for their turn at life once more.

This time I looked at them, and with my eyes I promised their release; in some way, whether it was by my hand or one of the seven I was to guide, I would release them.

The gratitude in the air told me they felt that promise.

The Realm was next. Now without being cloaked, I could see each soul that was there. Not surprisingly, it was both Vade’s and my line in the mass around us.

Each fell to one knee. There was no way in the universe that the other kings would not sense this.

The stones that led to our home descended, inviting us on. This time, Vade and I shared a step as Mazing and Rasp took another. I stared out at the crowd, feeling those I knew and those I had yet to meet. Aimlessly, I searched for my Fated, Silas, and I found him.

He was on bended knee next to a young girl, Charlie. His eyes refused to be cast downward like the others; they were firmly placed on Mazing, who was not far from me in one form, but a million miles away in another. She was blind to him. Completely blind.

The stones were moving slower than before, guided by Vade’s intent. Once we were just above them, he whispered, “Rise,” and they each did.

“My love has returned.”

They roared with cheers. Vade’s hand halted them.

“The war of peace begins now. Among you at this very moment are the Fated Escorts of both Glory and I. They will lead this charge, and I swear to you they will not fail.” Vade glanced at me, offering me a time to speak, to add to his words.

“They will not fail, for their sovereigns love them,” I stated warmly. “Tomorrow is born within today’s intentions. Set yours on victory, for it is ours. No web can withstand a determined soul.” My eyes moved across each of them, and then to the sky that I was sure the other kings were peering at me from.

“What is ours will be returned without fail. I am home and will forevermore be your sovereign, a power you can pull from at your will.”

Their cheers roared at that moment, and the sound vibrated my soul to its core. Vade pulled me to his lips as the stone we were on rose into the sky.

I refused to hold back for the sake of the audience. My arms moved up his chest, and he pulled me to him, framing my face with his hand as his lips teased mine over and over before pulling against him.

I loved this man. Together, we had accomplished the impossible and would continue to do so. Tomorrow had never held so many possibilities.

Special note to the reader:

The Imperial series is part of the
“Web of Hearts and Souls,” where all of my series combine into one large story. All series can be read independently or as one. The reading order for the Insight and See series combined is: Insight, Embody, Image, See (See series), Witness (See series), Vital (Insight series), Vindicate (Insight series), Synergy (See series), Enflame (Insight series), Redefined (See series), at this point the first book in the third series comes into play: Rivulet (published on 10/7/13)

Playlist

Gin Wigmore: These Roses, S.O.S,
Hallelujah, Easy Come Easy Go, Too Late for Lovers, One Last Look, Dying Day, Man Like That, Kill of the Night, Black Sheep, Don’t Stop.

Elvis Priestley: Fever, Trouble, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Always on my Mind.

Of Monsters and Men: From Finner, King and Lionheart, Little Talks, Love Love Love.

Where To Find Jamie Online:

http://authorjamiemagee.blogspot.com

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I am still eternally grateful for every soul that encouraged me to write/ publish my debut novel Insight.... thank you once again.

I also want to thank my husband, Lem, for listening to my random thoughts and ideas as each of these stories came to life, he is not only the love of my life but the man who keeps me sane on this insane adventure. I want thank my children who inspire me to become more than I am today with a simple glance, and the echo of laughter and joy that surrounds me constantly.

I want to thank a
ll of my wonderful beta readers: Sabrina Wells, Crystal Meyer, Alysia Kurtz, Jamie Love, Jennylynne D’Andrea, Michelle Dain, and Steffini Walker,  Carrie Porter, and Jan Galloway.

GWE along with Todd Barselow for editing my daydreams.

Most of all I want to thank every-single reader for sharing this adventure with me! I love you all and I am eternally grateful for your time and support :)!

About the Author

Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

The fun Bio: I’m an obsessive daydreamer. Lover of loud alternative music. Addicted to Red Bull. I love to laugh until it hurts. Fall is my favorite season. Black is my favorite ‘shade.’ Strong believer in the saying: there is a reason for everything, therefore I search for ‘marked moments’ every moment of everyday...and I find them. Life is beautiful!