“Thank you, Bergot.” I touch the goddess’s hand and prepare to ask the most difficult question ever. “So, she’ll be fine without me?”
“Why would you ask that?” Brahm snaps. “We’re getting you back to her.”
“Your sister certainly misses you. She asks about you and cries for you at night, but she is otherwise happy.”
Knowing Thora is doing well gives me the courage I need. “Do you think I’m strong enough to survive? If I let Hexegot possess me?”
Brahm leans his head on my shoulder and mumbles, “No, Freckles.”
I stroke his hair and let him cry. I love Brahm so much and hate causing him heartache. I pull Brahm into my arms and look at the goddess.
“I do believe you can survive, Gisela.” Bergot nods. “I have always believed in your strength.”
“If she possesses you, what’s stopping her from hurting everyone in the valley?” Brahm asks. “What’s stopping her from killing our friends and family?”
“We must try! She just wants power and to use me as her vessel. She has no reason to hurt anyone if we make a deal with her.”
“She wants to give you to Albert.”
“It won’t really be me.” I cup Brahm’s cheek. The tears in his eyes match the deep well of sadness inside me. “Will you still love me?”
Brahm sucks in a deep breath through his nose. “Of course. I will always love you, Freckles. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you.”
“We might have to,” Bergot says. “We just need leverage, so she will not destroy the valley or harm your loved ones. We need to make her promise.”
Albert moans and begins to stir.
“You’re right,” I whisper. “My goddess, I know you said it pains you, but I really need you to dig deep. Use your father’s relic to protect us. Show Hexegot you still have power. If you show strength now, we can force her hand.”
“Yes. We shall make her take an oath of blood to not hurt us or anyone in the valley. Trade you for our safety.”
“No, don’t do this,” Brahm nuzzles into my shoulder. “Please.”
I melt into him as he wraps his arms around me. It kills me to hurt him, but this is the only way.
“Brahm, what other option do we have? Hexegot will take me anyway and hurt everyone I love. Let my sacrifice mean something.” I choke on my tears as Brahm’s embrace of me grows tighter. “I know it’s not fair. I want so much more time with you. Our only chance is for Bergot to grow strong again while I attempt to defeat Hexegot from the inside. Here.”
I dig through my satchel and remove the iron rod from Heinrich’s cage and the sewing kit. I trace it along my heart line before I take Brahm’s palm and do the same. I then sew the piece of metal into Brahm’s blouse over his heart. Each stitch rips a little hole in my heart.
“There. Now your heart will always be protected. No matter what Hexegot makes me do or say to you.” I place my hand on Brahm’s chest. “I love you.”
He kisses my hand. “I love you so much.”
I turn back to Bergot. “If you can create a protection field around us, I know exactly how to get our leverage.”
“I don’t like this, Freckles.”
I’m sickened with grief. “I don’t either, but this isn’t goodbye. We’ll be together again.”
“Ugh.” Albert rolls onto his back and moans in pain. With his arms and legs tied up, he gestures with his head toward Hexegot, who is beginning to wake up. “I’ll tell her what you did. She’ll kill you all.”
Hexegot screams, and we all snap our heads toward her. She moves fast like a cat and grabs Albert’s throat, holding him in the air.
“Hexe…got,” Albert squeaks as he pulls at the goddess’ fingers while she strangles him.
“I couldn’t find any trace of him.” She drops Albert to the ground. With a flick of her wrist, she unbinds him. “Without my brother, I’ll only possess the maiden for one year before she deteriorates.”
“You promised me more than one year,” Albert says in a hoarse voice, rubbing his neck. “I’m not killing my uncle and going against everything the people believe for just one year.”
“Don’t worry, my pet,” she lowers her voice and strokes his cheek. “It means we have an entire year to find Star—”
Bergot begins chanting her protection charm. I open my mouth, and the words of an unknown language pour out as I harmonize with her in singing. I’m in shock as a light and airy sensation tickles my skin and dissipates into the air. Both Albert and Hexegot turn their gaze toward the three of us.
“What are they doing?” Albert asks.
“Did you untie them?” Hexegot shoves Albert against the wall.
“No, my goddess. Gisela tricked me!”
“Idiot!”
Hexegot glides forward and tries to kick her sister but bounces back in a burst of sparkling light. Our protection is working, and the light magic vibrating through the air finally eases my headache.
“Are we going to do this again, Sister?” Hexegot asks, rising from the floor. “You will lose. I can create a mass of avalanches to bury your precious valley all at once.”
“Wait! There’s no need” I shout at her as Bergot continues to chant the spell on her own. “Let’s make a deal. You and me.”
Hexegot laughs and raises her chin. “A deal, precious one?”
“Yes. You will not harm Bergot, Brahm, Thora, our families, or any other people in the valley. You will only use their light magic for your power.” Remembering my promise, I add another condition, “You will also free the water-nixies at once.” I twist my dagger in my hands and stare at Hexegot.
“Why do you think I will agree to this?”
“Well, as you can see, your sister still has power.” I hold the blade to my wrist. “Agree to my conditions, or I will kill myself under her protective charm.”
“No!” Hexegot glides forward but is wary of Bergot’s forcefield.
“Let her kill herself,” Albert says. “Can’t you still possess her after?”
“Not if she dies in there, protected by Bergot.” Hexegot points at me. “You wouldn’t dare. I don’t believe you.”
“Oh, you should,” I say, pressing the dagger against my pale, freckled skin. “I’m only interested in protecting the ones I love. If you agree to my conditions, I will agree to be your host.”
Hexegot seethes deep breaths and circles the room. “Albert? If we go through the ritual today, we’ll have an entire year to find my brother. Are you still willing to work for me?”
“Yes, my goddess.”
“Then it is settled. Gisela, I agree to release the nixies, let these two go, and to not harm anyone in the valley—for one year. At that time, if we do not have Stargott, I will cause earthquakes and avalanches to send the villagers into a frenzy. Then, in the form of a dragon, I will burn any survivors and consume their flesh. But your sister…I will kill her with my hands, in your form, and force you to watch as both her life and love for you drain from her eyes. Do you understand?”