6. Six

Where in the realm am I at?

Opening my eyes, all I see is a vast expanse of a clear, cloudless blue sky. The color is a deep, serene azure, stretching infinitely in every direction. There isn't an interruption in the sky, no birds, no leaves blowing in the wind, not even a sun, just a brilliant blue canvas, creating a sense of boundless openness.

Wiggling my fingers, the ground beneath me feels soft, covered in a lush carpet of grass. Pushing myself up to sit, I gasp as my eyes take in the scenery before me. Miles and miles of a sea of green stretch far beyond my sight, merging with the blue sky off in the distance. Looking behind me, I see the silhouette of a tree, the only thing standing out in this expansion of green and blue.

I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to go there.

Time seems to have no meaning here. I can't tell if seconds, minutes, hours, or days have passed as I make my way to that tree. Nothing ever changes. The blue stays blue, the green stays green, and the wind is just the perfect amount of a breeze. The tree never grows closer, nor farther, but I continue walking and walking and walking. Endless walking in that direction until suddenly, it's in front of me.

My tree.

I'd be able to tell it from anywhere. I've spent so much of my life in only its company, I have every feature memorized. Running my fingers gently over the silverish-green leaves, I push my way through the cascading branches that reach down toward the ground, creating a living canopy that forms a private, peaceful sanctuary.

I take a seat at the trunk, leaning my head back and closing my eyes, basking in the feeling of home and peace.

"Welcome, Willow."

My eyes fly open, frantically looking around, but no one's there. The only way I know for sure I'm not alone is the very air is infused with ancient power and wisdom. It's so strong, it's tangible.

"Do not fret, Willow, no harm will come to you here."

"Who are you? Where are you?" I jump to my feet, running around the tree, looking for signs of the person responsible for the voice, but no one's here. I'm alone.

"I am everything and nothing. I am everywhere and nowhere. I am Elementra."

What the fuck?

The atmosphere seems to vibrate, the ground shaking subtly, and a whimsical hum permeates the air.

"Are you laughing? Was that a laugh?"

Shit, I must be losing my mind.

"You're not losing your mind, Willow. This is real, very real. And yes, I was laughing. The way language has progressed has always amused me."

"What? You can read my mind?" I ask accusingly.

What the hell, Willow. Don't talk to the creator of this whole realm like that. Shit, she can hear me. I'm so sorry.

"I've been watching you your whole life, Ultima unum. I knew you, generations before you were even born. There isn't a thought you could think that'd surprise or offend me."

"How's that possible? I just arrived here from the nonmagical realm."

"You're a being of Elementra, Willow. No realm could block you from my sight."

"That doesn't make any sense. I've never been to Elementra until now," I argue lightly.

"That's correct. You've never been to Elementra, but that doesn't mean you aren't a being of mine."

"I still don't understand," I declare. Completely confused.

"I know, but you will with time, but that's not for you to know now."

"Can I know where we are?" I ask.

"In the deepest recesses of your mind. You've been asleep for a while now. Traveling to this part of your unconsciousness takes some time to reach."

"How long is a while? I could feel your pull as soon as I shifted back into my human form."

"Yes, once you shifted and your third element broke free, it was time I spoke with you. It's been two days."

"Two days? Oh shit, the guys. They—"

"Have done what any Nexus should and haven't left your side. You'll reunite with them soon enough."

Blowing out my breath, all I can do is nod. I know she says this is real, but what if I'm sick or in some kind of coma? I've heard of shit like this happening back in the nonmagical realm.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, she releases a burst of power, and my vision blurs much like it did when I performed the dimension spell. The fabric of my unconsciousness opens up, and I watch clip after clip of myself growing up. None of the traumatic shit I experienced, but just of me, traveling through the stages of my life.

"Okay then, this is real. Two days, fuck, okay. This is both terrifying and thrilling. I have so many questions. From what I've learned, very few people in the history of Elementra have been contacted by you. The closest any have reached is through their awakenings. That means you have something to tell me or maybe I've done something wrong. Have I done something wrong?"

"No, Ultima unum, you've done no wrong. You've done exactly as you are supposed to. And I'm so very proud of you."

"Okay, this suspense is killing me. Firstly, that was incredibly sweet. Thank you. Secondly, that was Elema Lingua Vetus,but I don't know what it means, and you've said it twice now. There's another nickname someone calls me that's in the language that I don't know either. Why is that? Thirdly, can you tell me why I'm here?"

Elementra laughs again, sending a wave of vibrations through my body, and the musical hum causes my hair to blow behind me. There's no way to describe the sensation of the realm's creator laughing at something you said. It's both loving and petrifying.

"Your spontaneous curiosity has always been my favorite trait of yours. Even now, you speak like we're old comrades catching up rather than you speaking to power as old as time."

Swallowing, my body freezes in fear for a second as my mind catches up to what she just said.

"I'm so sorry. I've been so discourteous. The thought didn't occur to me. I can feel the tremendous amount of power pouring from you, but it wasn't an intimidating feeling. It was welcoming, loving even, so I just felt so comfortable speaking freely."

It's easy for me to slip right into the posh, polite manner my father forced upon me. I know better than to speak to someone so superior in this way. Great, I'm about to get myself killed.

"Do not apologize, Willow. You have nothing to fear from me, nor do I want your uncandid mannerisms. I enjoy the less serious candor, anyway. Life is too long to be so serious all the time. What a boring existence. We have things to discuss and no time to worry about the way to navigate speaking to one another.

"As for Elema Lingua Vetus, I let the language die out and adapt to others because the language itself is a power. And it was being neglected. Only the most well-aged natives of mine, such as your Ancient one, learned the language and passed it down to their loved ones. There are many words that I have eliminated from the vocabulary.

"Why you are here is because you've met the great evil that's plaguing Elementra. They've shifted the balance."

"My ancient one? Do you mean Gaster?" Fuck, I might find out his age.

"Yes, Gaster. No, I will not reveal his most treasured secret."

Damn.

"And by the great evil, you mean the Mastery? Aren't you the balance? Why can't you just, you know, poof end them?" I ask, dragging my hand across my throat in an exaggerated way to get my point across.

"Yes, the Mastery. I can only interfere so much without throwing the balance off even more. Total destruction would ensue if I stepped in completely. The system of Elementra has thrived because of our delicate balance. I knew when I created the beings of me and the inhabitants of this realm, that I wouldn't be able to walk, talk, or live amongst them like I'd want to, so I made sure to create a perfectly balanced realm so all would have what they needed."

"You mean the Nexus bonds?"

"All bonds. All the bonds work toward a balance. Everyone and everything has a role, a purpose, a gift, and an element. All working together to keep the cycle of life in Elementra on track."

"But I have multiple elements and a gift, maybe more than one gift depending on that vision I just had. Am I messing with the balance?"

Am I going to destroy Elementra? Do I have to leave? Did she bring me here to kick me out? Oh my God, the guys. I can't leave them. I can't go back to the nonmagical realm.

"Calm yourself, Ultima unum, you're not going anywhere. You're exactly where you should be at last. Your thoughts aren't silent here. Everything is heard. Nothing is private."

"So what does this have to do with me? What can you tell me?"

"There is much I cannot tell you, Willow. I know that's frustrating for you. You've heard those words many a time before, but that's the way it works. To tell you everything would run the risk of the realm failing."

My heart pounds in my chest. Those words I have heard before.

"My stranger. You know who they are? Did you send them to me?"

"Yes, I did. You needed them then and you will continue to need them now. The rest are secrets you must reveal on your own. I can only tell you about a few things for certain. Your lullaby is not just that. It's the first of many instructions they left for you to follow. And your stone has almost everything you'll need, locked away. When your fire and dragon emerged, it was because the bonding was the key to unlocking the restraint the stone had in place. Not every lock is withholding a memory."

"As in them, you mean you. You had to tell them what to do to get to me. You had to allow it. The portals were closed. Why can't you unlock everything for me and just tell me what to do and I'll do it," I beg. I'm getting so frustrated with not knowing everything. It'd be so much easier if I did.

"I know you would, Willow. You'd do the right thing. You are, and always have been in near perfect balance, knowing the difference in black, white, and gray. Fearful to Fearless. Loving to Hating. Dominant to Submissive. Bored to Intrigued. Curious to Cautious. You know the importance of start, middle, and end. As for the one I sent you, just as you will have to do, they had to figure it out as well. They went through many obstacles, sacrificed many things, and they succeeded. And just like them, I'll be here for you as much as possible."

"Wait, wait, wait. Is this your discreet way of telling me I'll have to save the realm? Me?"

"I'm not telling you to do anything. Everyone has a choice. Every choice has a consequence."

"Oh my God. You basically just said I could choose to save the realm or not save the realm. That isn't a choice. Are you serious? I don't have the first clue how to save anything. I couldn't even save myself. Gaster had to do that. Shit, I'm going to throw up."

Before I really can throw up, if that's even possible to do here, a breeze of air blows through me, eliminating all my anxiety, leaving me calm and alert. Elementra's power clings to me like a weighted blanket.

"The burden may rest on your shoulders, but you will not shoulder it alone, Willow. Have faith in all that's to come. Many secrets must unfold."

"Are they going to accept this? I'm having a hard time accepting you just pulled me into my mind to have a casual conversation about me saving the realm. I'm sure it'll be hard for them to hear, ‘Hey, guys, so Elementra tells me I'll be the one to save the realm, so like are you all cool to join me or what?'"

The ground beneath my feet shakes so suddenly some of the leaves fall from the willow tree. I bend to pick one up as they touch the green, but before I can, they're absorbed and regrown on the branches in a matter of seconds. Another example of how her power is unbelievable, extraordinary, and I swallow hard, rubbing the newly grown leaf between my fingers.

"You've given me a gift today, Willow. I haven't been so entertained in multiple millennia. Amusement isn't what I typically am left with after a conversation with one of my creations. To answer your question, your Nexus will support you in any and everything. Never fear that. They were made just for you and you for them."

"I'm glad you find me having an early life crisis amusing." I let out a deep sigh, closing my eyes. "I know they were. I feel it every moment of the day. I just don't want to let them down." Pausing, I take a deep breath. "Please tell me anything else that you can."

"It's time for you to go, Ultima unum. Continue the path to find who you are and where you are from. Trust in yourself. Your bonds. Your elements. And your gifts."

I instantly feel the power shift as Elementra slowly pulls back. Disappointment, anxiety, and not going to lie, a little anger fills me as I slide down the trunk of the willow tree. I try but fail to convince myself that this was all a dream. Despite her laid-back, almost motherly demeanor, I can feel the remnants of her all-powerful, ethereal energy coating my skin and still holding on to my mind.

What the hell am I going to do?

Ever so slowly, I feel myself gaining consciousness. My limbs are stiff, and my mouth is so dry, but I don't feel sticky or gross like you'd think from lying in bed for two days. Words begin to filter through my mind, and I slow my racing heart and thoughts, forcing myself to focus on who's speaking. After a second, it clicks.

Caspian.

"I know I've been the one to keep the distance between us. I've had to. I'll destroy the beautiful, innocent light that surrounds you. The dark and damaged soul I carry around will pull all the light from within you so I can keep it for myself. I don't deserve you. I'm not worthy of you. I'll ruin you. But I'm a selfish man and I won't let you go. Even if it can only be from the shadows, I'll follow you from there. I'm not like my brothers. I'm not laid-back, carefree, or playful like Draken. I'm not patient, balanced, or gentle like Tillman. I'm not mindful, selfless, or tender like Corentin.

"I'm what nightmares are made of. I enjoy punishing, maiming, and killing rebellion scum. I promise I'll never hurt you, but don't misinterpret that. I'm a monster through and through. I just won't be a monster to you. I'll try to give you whatever I can of myself, whatever you'll accept. It'll take me time, but I'll learn. I'll try to keep my darkness from tainting you as best as I can, sweet Willow."

Pressure builds behind my eyes as I listen to his confession, his promise. This is his truth to me. Peeling my eyes open so I can see him, he's perched on the side of my bed, staring at the wall as his shadows surround me. Commanding my limbs to work, I reach my hand out and lay it on his.

"I'll always chase your darkness away." My voice is raspy from two days of no use, but my message is clear, and he hears me.

"Primary."

He slowly reaches both of his hands out and cups my cheeks. The feel of his skin on mine is electrifying. The first sensation is a gentle coolness like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day. It travels down my neck and throughout the rest of my body, sending shivers cascading through me. Each ripple of connection seems to awaken dormant senses.

As his touch lingers, I feel subtle changes taking place in me. My mouth's no longer dry, my throat is slick and no longer scratchy, my eyes aren't burning from the onslaught of the light when I first opened them, and I feel refreshed.

He's hydrating me. He's pushing his water element into me.

"Caspian."

I cup my hands over his and hold his gaze. There's such relief and concern. Hesitantly, vulnerability etched across his features, he slowly leans down and lays his lips to mine.

It's so intimate, a softness I'd never expect from him. It's an intense gentleness that speaks of the fear he's had, and not just the fear of the past two days, the fear he's felt about getting close to someone since he was kidnapped. The kiss holds a delicate mixture of weightlessness and the weight of the challenges he's faced to get to this point with me.

Ever so slowly, he breaks the kiss and looks down at me.

"I'll stand in your light, little Primary."

"And I'll meet you in the darkness, Cas."

An unseen knot that's been holding my bond back from him slowly uncoils itself, still a little crinkled in some spots, but the knot's no longer stopping the flow of my feelings for him.

He sits back up, keeping his shadows wrapped around me, and his hand holds mine tightly like he's afraid at any moment I'll slip away from him. But I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.

"Where are the others?" I ask.

"I told them to go clean themselves up. They've refused to leave this room." His face is comical, scrunched up like he can still smell them.

It's a childlike look that I've never seen on him, and I can't help but laugh. "I was told."

"Who told—"

"All right, asshole, I took a shower and changed my clothes. That's as long as I'm willing—" Draken comes charging in, his hair still dripping, no shirt, no shoes, just wet, half-dressed perfection.

"Little wanderer," he breathes before running out my door, and I hear him bellowing down the hallway. "She's awake. Get the fuck in here."

He comes running full tilt back into my room, not slowing his pace at all as he throws himself on the bed.

"Be fucking careful," Caspian shouts, shooting him in the chest with water as I sit up laughing, preparing for the ambush. His flames burst to life across his chest, drying the water off him, then he gathers me in his arms.

"Little wanderer, I was going crazy. I didn't think I was going to survive another hour." He pulls me close, nuzzling into my neck, and an unexpected purr falls from my lips. An even louder, more masculine purr permeates the air, soothing every muscle in my body as I slump limply into his chest.

"Cut that shit off, Draken, before she falls back asleep. Now."

"Shit, shit. Don't do that. Don't close your eyes, Willow. My dragon was just responding to yours," he yells, shaking me a little, forcing me to sit up straight.

"I'm fine. I'm not going back to sleep. I just didn't expect that to relax me so instantly."

"I'll explain later the meanings of purrs, but right now, I need to know you're okay." Pulling me to where I'm sitting between his legs, he wraps his arms around me and steals a kiss, swift and fiery, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Damn, these two know how to give a girl a proper wake-up call.

"I'm okay. Where are the others?" I ask breathlessly.

Neither Draken nor Caspian have to answer as Tillman and Corentin come charging into the room, freezing as they take in the sight of me. Both look just as Draken had. Hair dripping, not styled, wearing only sweatpants that are hanging low on their hips. Their chiseled bodies on display for my viewing pleasure.

Another purr creeps out of me, this one low, needy.

"If they were shifters, little wanderer, you'd be calling them to fuck you right now." Draken whispers in my ear. My eyes widen, but as I continue to devour the sight of them, I wouldn't mind that.

"Well, are you two just gonna stand there or are you going to come see me?" I whisper. That snaps them out of their frozen state. They make it to me at the same time, but Corentin's able to pull me from Draken's grasp first.

"You're okay," he breathes as he cradles me close to him.

"I'm okay, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." I swear, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck, rubbing my thumb back and forth, as I breathe in his scent. Allspice and chocolate. It's fitting to me that the most controlling and bossy of my Nexus smells like the sweet makings of a delicious dessert.

Another body presses against my back, this one the size of two of me. Gently running his hand up my throat, he grips my chin and tilts my head to the side and back so I can look up at him.

"Will—" Whatever he was planning to say is cut off when I close my eyes and push back, silently begging for a kiss. He places his other hand on my belly, tugging me off Corentin, and kisses me senseless.

When he breaks the embrace, he turns my head back to face Corentin and I barely have a moment to gain my composure before he captures my lips.

I'm lost to the sensation of them. Corentin's lips sealed to mine as Tillman presses his firm chest to my back. I'm dizzy off them and growing wetter by the second. A small moan slips out as Corentin slows his kiss to bare pecks, causing four groans to echo around the room.

"Let's get some food in you, baby."

"Let's take a shower. I mean, I need a shower. I haven't showered in two days. You just took a shower. Your hair is still…a little wet…" I'm a panting, blubbering mess. They have me so worked up I can't even think straight. My mind cracks a little more as Corentin smiles down at me, rubbing his thumb across my bottom lip.

"Actually…" He cuts his eyes over to Draken, who's rubbing the back of his neck. I can feel nervousness and apprehension filter through the bond from him.

"What? Just tell me."

"I washed you while you were sleeping. Nothing was working. No matter how much I talked to you, told you stories, rubbed your feet, brushed your hair, nothing woke you up. You love your bathroom, especially relaxing in a bath, so I thought maybe it would work. You were still dressed in an outfit you'd wear to the academy, not one to lie around in and relax, so I figured a warm bath, comfy clothes, and some lotion on your feet would work, but it didn't. I couldn't get through to you." His eyes are growing glossy, and his feelings are bleeding into pain. He thought I'd be mad at him for trying everything he knew to do to help because it invaded my privacy.

I know where his concerns come from, and he's fearful he overstepped a boundary. I know he did this out of a place of worry and love, though, not some sick satisfaction for himself.

Plus, his mouth's been all over every inch of my body and he's been inside of me. What's giving me a bath when I was physically unable to do it myself?

"Draken. I'm so sorry for scaring you. I mean, I didn't really have a say in the matter, but I never would want you to feel like this. Thank you for taking care of me and staying by my side the whole time, I'm not mad at you, I promise. I'm thankful all of you were here for me." I look at each of them so they can see the truth in my eyes, and I flood Draken's bond with love and reassurance.

"I'm just gonna freshen up and I'll be out in a second."

It's harder than I imagined untangling myself from their embrace. One, they don't want to let me go and two, I'm quite cozy sandwiched between Corentin and Tillman, but I need a moment of normalcy and routine before I drop a life-changing bomb on their heads.

I get my bearings on wobbly legs, forcing them to allow me to do it on my own, and make my way to the bathroom. It only takes a few minutes to run through my routine and needs, but I linger with my face over the sink and splash some cold water on my heated cheeks.

"It's going to be okay," I whisper to myself as I command my air to dry the water away.

"It is. We'll be here no matter what you tell us." Jumping, I turn on my heel and come chest to chest with Caspian.

"Shit, you scared me. What are you doing?" I say, trying to catch my breath from the mini heart attack he just gave me.

"They're hovering and pacing outside your door."

"So that equals you coming in here instead of hovering and pacing with them?" I ask, lifting an eyebrow at his nonanswer.

"Yes."

"How many times have you snuck around, spying on me?" I snort, shaking my head at the irony. My whole first month here, he accused me of being a spy, when really it was him.

"More times than you want to know."

The subtle tension in his posture is the only indicator he's a little worried about how I'll react to that. The more potent emotion is the heat burning in his eyes. He doesn't feel bad for watching and he's memorized the things he's seen of me from the shadows.

His devious, disarming smirk makes me squirm and shift from side to side. My smile slips from my face as my lips part and the intake of my breath echoes around the bathroom.

"What all have you seen?" I ask low, husky.

I try to convince myself to be pissed that he's been watching, stalking from the cover of darkness, not just at night to ward away my nightmares. Instead, I imagine him touching himself to the sight of me. How my body and cries of pleasure from Draken or even from myself make him come undone.

Caging me against the bathroom sink with his inked forearms, he leans down and whispers in my ear, "Everything, naughty little Primary." A small moan slips past my lips as he wraps his shadows around us and deposits me back on the bed.

"Caspian, what are you doing?" Corentin barks as the three of them stop their pacing, realizing I won't be using the door to leave the bathroom.

"She was swaying a little. Figured I'd give her a hand to the bed." I cut my eyes to him, about to call him out, when I see the mischievous self-satisfied smile on his face. He's teasing, like honest to fuck teasing me right now.

"Are you okay?" Tillman asks, reaching me first and pulling me onto his lap.

Clearing my throat, I shoot Caspian a small grin before replying. "Yeah, just hungry. How's the weather today? I'd like to eat outside if it's nice. And I'd really love some coffee."

That's all I have to say to get them all moving. Well, all but Caspian. He continues to stare at me, surprised I didn't call him on his shit.

Corentin's on his communicator in seconds, typing away at the speed of light. Draken's grabbing my shoes from the closet and Tillman, still holding me, is making his way out my door. I don't bother telling him to put me down. I know he'd argue, and I'm enjoying the pampering.

As soon as the morning rays touch my face, I lean my head back, letting my hair cascade over his arm, and sigh.

"I never knew I could miss a sound so much. That was the longest two days of my life, Will," Tillman whispers.

"I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

I've tried to reassure them the best I can, but what I'm going to share with them is going to change the course of our lives and no doubt be dangerous. I mean, even Elementra referred to the Mastery as a great evil, so they're obviously dangerous.

Tillman holds me in his lap the entire time I drink my coffee and scarf down my food. It's delicious as always but is sitting in my stomach like a lead weight and my nerves are starting to get the best of me.

"I don't know where to start," I mumble.

"Gaster was able to sense power holding you in your mind. We just don't know what power or what happened. Start where you want, wherever is easier." Corentin's full attention is on me as he speaks gently. It helps ground me, but I'm still struggling with the words, both fearful of telling them and fearful of leaving anything out.

My Memoria stone begins emitting the familiar heat that lets me know there's something I'm supposed to see, and I blow out a thankful breath, honestly happy about putting this off for just a few more moments.

Grabbing it, I'm expecting the bright flash of light, followed by my younger self and the stranger having a conversation. Instead, it's like an information upload. A single image shows me, sitting under my willow tree, journals and books surrounding me on the ground. My stranger's sitting against the trunk of the tree behind me, neither of us speaking, both with our noses in the words.

I feel the information and instructions from those pages imprinting on my brain, or maybe unlocking. I don't know which it is, but the knowledge of what I've read is there and I sit in silence for a moment, letting the information settle into the compartments of my mind.

Turning my head around to look at Tillman, the answer I need comes to me easily.

"I need you to replay what happened and broadcast it to the guys."

"I've never done that before. I usually just watch the replay then tell them what I saw." His face is a dark cloud of self-doubt, eyebrows drawn down and a frown causing wrinkles in his perfectly smooth skin.

This is the first time I've ever seen any doubt from Tillman when it comes to his abilities. He's always steadfast and confident in everything he does.

"You can do this. Everyone will need to lay a hand on us at the same time, calling their magic forward to form the connection. Before you start watching, open your mind to them, allow their magic to skim the surface of your mind. Once the replay starts, they'll see what you see." I smile at him and cup his cheek.

"Your stone just happened to show you that?" he questions.

"Something like that. Once everyone sees where I was, it'll become clearer. I promise, you can watch what I saw as well if you'd like. Trust me."

"Okay, little warrior." He nods.

Determination fills his eyes, erasing the previous concerns completely, trusting my words fully. As one, the guys move closer to us, laying one hand on me, the other on Tillman.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"I'm ready."

The sensation of his magic flooding my mind isn't invasive or forceful, there's no pain. Instead, it's as gentle as his fingertips lightly brushing my skin. Remembering Claven's screams as Tillman pulled the altercation out of his head from my first day of classes, I have no doubt this could be painful if he wanted it to be, but he's making it as comfortable as he can for me.

The scene starts as a canvas of blackness, no light, no sound, nothing. Then the beautiful blue sky appears as I open my eyes. For them, I can imagine this would be like watching a movie, although there are no TVs here in Elementra, so they may not understand what I'd mean with that reference. For me, though, it's strange. I'm watching myself through Tillman's mind, through my eyes.

Even if I wasn't watching with them, I'd be able to tell the moment they found out who pulled me into my mind. As soon as Elementra announces herself, the grips they have on me tighten to punishing pressures. I really want to tell them to loosen up, but that'll break the connection.

An ambush of emotions sears my chest, causing me to grunt as they take in the message Elementra gave me. The initial reaction that washes over me is shock. It's so stark in all of them, it has me freezing in my place. Slowly, the shock gives way to a profound sense of disbelief, as if they can reject the idea enough that it'll just go away. Then they each fall into a different path about how this makes them feel.

Corentin's a mixture of frustration and helplessness. I physically feel questions swirling in his mind, and the more he seeks answers that seem elusive, the more frustrated he grows.

Caspian's anger flares, directed at the unfairness of the situation, the circumstances we've both lived through already, and now this. He's the embodiment of fury.

A wave of sadness sweeps through Draken and into me, bringing with it a heaviness that settles in my chest. He doesn't want this for me. He wants me to relax and enjoy every day.

Tillman's an emotional roller coaster, feeling everything all at once until acceptance starts to emerge, bringing with it a bittersweet calm. His quick recovery from the multitude of emotions helps my nerves.

I take deep breaths through the continuing onslaught. It's nearly impossible for me to block any of them out while they have their hands on me and magic flowing together, but as they begin to recede, so do the wild rapids of their feelings.

Corentin's the first to react, gripping my chin. "Willow, I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should apologize. Obviously, this has been predestined for me my whole life. You lot got stuck with a Primary who's supposedly going to help save a realm she knows the bare minimum about."

A deep sense of vulnerability spreads throughout my body and tears well up in my eyes. Why do I have to help save the realm? How can I drag them into this?

"You weren't the only one predestined for this. We all were." Caspian's icy tone sends shivers down my body. His words may not be directed at me. It's the whole situation, but they're cold, menacing.

"What does that mean?" I ask, but no one answers me right away.

"We'll talk about that next. Will you tell us about your lullaby?" Corentin asks instead of answering.

Fuck, that doesn't sound good.

"It's something my stranger taught me when I was a child, and we sang it every day. It's practically burned into my brain. That and my tree were the only things they didn't block from me. Me singing it is how I can unlock the Memoria stone when it wants to show me something. It's not really a lullaby, it's an enchantment. But to me, I sang it to myself every night until I came here, so it's always been my lullaby."

"What kind of instructions do you think it is?" He follows up.

I smile at his persistence. Everything else may surprise me, but Corentin's constant need to have all the answers never will.

"I've been thinking about it the whole time since Elementra told me it was instructions. And I believe I know the answer to that." I pause, my gaze taking each of them in, working the pieces out in my mind.

"Air, Earth, Water, Fire so bright.

Four elements, pure and right.

Air we breathe, wise and sweet.

Earth stands strong, soil beneath our feet.

Water flows, broken and whole.

Fire's warmth feeds the soul.

Remember these, with joy and cheer.

The elements become one, the world becomes clear."

After each element, I look at the man who possesses that element, the words resonating clear in my mind.

"The lullaby is about you, about us. It's about our Nexus."