“You looked far away.”
“I was. What is going on with you and Cassius?”
Areit laughed. “I think he doesn’t like me. Imagine?”
I smiled.
“Where are we going?”
He looked at me confused.
“He didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head no.
“I wonder why? There is no reason to hide it from you.”
“He isn’t hiding anything from me. I’m sure he is going to tell me. In case you haven’t noticed, he has been a little preoccupied.”
He looked at me, standing there in my red dress, in a way that made my entire body flushed.
“I can understand being distracted.”
I looked around for Cassius. Where was he? This moment was getting way too…intimate. The way his eyes were burning told me that I needed this conversation to end—now.
I heard the familiar sound of footsteps, or rather hoof steps. I turned to see Darant carrying Cassius on his back. I prayed he missed the last part of our conversation. I could see in his gaze he hadn’t. He was glaring at Areit, and I was glad he was on my side. He reached down, encouraging me to take his hand and I did so willingly. In a quick moment, I was seated in front of him and we were on our way out of the stable. I could hear Areit yelling in the background. Cassius buried his head in my hair and wrapped his arms around me tightly.
I should have been afraid, being up in the air, but fear was the last thought in my confused mind.
We flew past the beautiful fairy forest and past the rising beanstalks and on into the blackened forest. We landed in a small clearing down a hillside. We sat in silence for a moment before Cassius spoke.
“Aurora, I have news. I was going to tell you before, but Areit cut our time short.” He leapt off the Pegasus and reached for me. Pulling me off with one swift move, he pulled me close. The rapid motion took my breath from me. My heart was so loud, I wondered if he could hear it. Leaning down, he touched my lips with his again. His touch, his scent, they made me dizzy. I was starting to forget why we were in this deserted part of the troll forest. I moved my hand along his shoulders, there was still tension there. That was all the reminder I needed.
I pulled out of our embrace and I forced his gaze to meet mine.
“Why did you bring me here?”
His face fell. I could see, whatever the reason, caused him great pain. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to my question.
“They found the well.” He said it so simply, it was as if he was telling me it was raining. The Well? As in the magical wishing well? I felt like I was going to fall over. My head was spinning and I felt sick. I turned away from him. I couldn’t face him now. Was he taking me there to take me home? Did he want me gone? My head sunk into my hands. I felt his arms wrap around my waist. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was worried.”
“Are you sending me home?” My voice was flat and no emotion was betrayed.
“NO! I don’t want you to go. Can’t you see why I had such a difficult time telling you? I was terrified this was your answer. We only found two Para’s. Each kingdom will be gifted one. If you want, I will use ours to wish you home.” I could hear the pain in his voice. I turned to see if his eyes matched his voice. They were frozen and distant. As much as I had wanted to go home earlier today, the thought that it could actually happen now had my blood running cold. I could never be so selfish as to take the one and only wish away from the people I had grown to love.
“No. Paradan needs the wish more than I do.”
A rush of relief cascaded across his features.
“Shall we go, then?” His hand offered me a promise of adventures to come, and I accepted.
Chapter 41
Areit was fuming.
He felt like Cassius had made him look like a fool in front of Aurora. He used the fire boiling in him to goad his horse faster. He didn’t want to miss the show, after all. It was strange to him how Cassius had not told Aurora about the wishing well. Why would he want to hide this from her? He was quickly approaching the troll forest, and he couldn’t wait to find his answers.
*
Arriving at the wishing well, I wasn’t sure how I would feel.
After all, it was this well that had brought me into this land. Without it, I would have never met Cassius or Evver. I was surprised to see a large amount of people standing in a circle around the well. Evver was there. When she saw us, she squealed and ran toward us. I couldn’t make it to her fast enough. I tripped over my dress several times. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
Many were staring at me, but I didn’t care.
Throwing my arms around her, I was busy checking to make sure not a hair was harmed on her petite head. Ironically, she was doing the same thing to me. I thought for sure Cassius would be stepping behind me, but he was nowhere in sight. When we both found our heads, we started looking for him. He was walking toward the wishing well. It looked like he was in a trance. I called his name and so did Evver, but there was no response. Evver and I rushed toward him.
“Cassius, what’s wrong?” I pleaded.
“Don’t you see it?”
I looked at the well, and felt only pain.
“What are you talking about?” I looked to Evver and she looked as confused as I was. King Calan had made his way over to us and he was watching Cassius, as well.
“You really don’t see it?” He asked dumbfounded. “It’s right there!”
He pointed into midair above the entrance to the wishing well.
“What are you seeing?”
“It’s the missing Para!” Cassius walked toward the well and reached into the air. We saw nothing, but when his hand returned he was holding a golden coin. Gasps were heard from around the circle. No one could believe what they had just witnessed. Cheers went out around the crowd.
All I could think was, this simple gold coin could be my way home.
*
At Cassius’ insistence, I was now holding the final golden coin in my hand.
King Calan and Cassius had both wished for the same thing, prosperity and peace for their kingdoms for a thousand years. Now, here I was standing in front of the well, praying he would stop me. I looked around the circle of so many I had grown to love. I realized Paradan had become more of a home to me in a few short weeks than Oregon had ever been.
Looking into Cassius’ eyes, I willed him to stop me.
I couldn’t believe I was about to leave them all. I willed the solid gold coin in my hand to disappear into thin air, so I would never have to make this…impossible wish. I stepped closer to the well. Looking down at the seemingly endless hole in the earth, I braced myself. Closing my eyes, I held the coin close to my lips and whispered quietly to myself, “I wish—to go home.”
The coin dropped quickly out of my hand and into the darkness. It burned my fingers as it left them. I looked into the eyes of the man I loved so dearly, afraid this was the last moment I would ever see them. I focused on him, trying to remember every inch of the love I would soon lose.
Golden smoke started swirling up out the well, coming out in small spirals at first, until the entire sky was shrouded in the golden fog.
It has been said “Be careful what you wish for, it just may come true.” As much as I knew how true those words were, it would never stop me from wishing.
Epilogue
Tommit’s wrists were raw.
The blood had dried on his once fine clothing. He was chained in a dirty hand dug cave. With every step the guards had dragged him toward the Schelle caves, he was plotting his return. Kellet was a notorious criminal. The kingdoms hadn’t seen anyone close to him—until Tommit. All he had to do was wait for the moment until he could speak to him. It would be easy to convince him to try to break free of their prison.
Cassius would die first, King Calan would be next. Tommit had other plans for Aurora…he smiled, thinking of the fun he was going to have.
Coming Soon:
A Dragon’s Scale
The Paradan Tales
Book 2
October 15th 2013
Infinity
The Amulet Prophecy
Book 3
October 1st 2013
Acknowledgements-
First off none of this would have been possible without the love and support of my husband, Grant. Thank you for loving me and always believing in me. I feel so blessed to have you by my side in our very own happily ever after.
Special thanks to my “daughter” Brooke Schwendiman for inspiring Aurora. I am so thankful that you are forever a part of our zoo. I love you!
For my friends, family and fans, thank you for your continued love and support. I am so grateful to go on this wild ride with each of you by my side.
To my author friends for teaching me so much and supporting my “crazy” on a daily basis. I am so blessed to have you all in my corner.
Thanks to my extended church, and foster families for always being there for me.
Thanks to Shannon Bowles, Hopie Clyde, Cami Stubbs, and Teresa Medina for being my ears and shoulders when I need them.
Big thanks to Jeremy Tyler for riding to my rescue and making The Wishing Well the best it can be! A huge thanks to Sam Ames for being a wonderful friend and amazing editor. You’re the best!!!
And to my Heavenly Father thank you for continuing to shower me with inspiration. And for blessing me with a wonderful family and wonderful life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Holly Zitting was born and raised in beautiful Red Rocks of Southern Utah. She’s been happily married to her prince, Grant, for sixteen years and they have six beautiful children together—Isabella, Jaxson, Sophia, Roman, Ava and “Ladybug”. Holly is also the author of The Amulet Prophecy series. She’s a passionate foster mother. Holly is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She enjoys writing in her spare time and spending time with her family. Holly currently resides in Oregon with her family.
Get connected with Holly:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/holly.author?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter- https://twitter.com/HollyZitting
Blog- www.hollyzitting.wordpress.com
The Wishing Well- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wishing-Well/476726649022324
The Amulet- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Amulet/111012545616153
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