Wicked resurrection 5, p.26
Wicked: Resurrection 5, page 26
Pablo hugged him hard, and Richard's heart ached for the boy. No real family, no chance to be just a kid. He'd make sure that changed. "I was thinking, if it would be okay with you, I'd like to make it official, adopt you legally."
"Will there be a lot of fishing?" Pablo asked, his voice uncertain."All the fishing you can stand…
son."
And then they were both crying.
It was nearly time to go. Holly could feel the other Justices pulling at her mind. She saw now that she had been meant to come, meant to change things… meant to understand that there was a Greater Power than the Horned God and the Goddess. Now she could truly serve the One as the Head of the Justices, their leader. And to think that less than three years before, she hadn't even known she was a witch.
She stretched out her hand. Even though she couldn't see Jer, she could feel his presence. The touch of his hand sent delicious shivers through her. So much death and loss. But they were together now, and in her heart she knew that it had all been worth it.
"I have a lot to make up to you for what a moron I've been," Jer whispered in her ear.
"Yes, you do," she said back.
He kissed her, and the promise in that kiss made her sigh.
As Holly and Jer made to leave, Nicole and Amanda bid them good-bye. Nicole's throat was tight and her eyes burned with tears, but she knew it was the best thing. And with Holly looking out for the world, things would be much better.
Once they had gone, Derek approached Amanda and Nicole and pulled them off to the side to speak with them.
"Is this about the will?" Nicole demanded. "Because as you can see, I'm not dead."
"Actually, you were dead. And Amanda--" Amanda huffed at him. "I already told her I hadyou use that family finder's spell so that we couldcontact Holly." Nicole smiled. Comrade-in-arms or no, Amanda was just never going to like Derek. Maybe it had nothing to do with the fact that he was a warlock. Maybe she just had a thing against lawyers.
"Well, about that, there is something that I did want to discuss with you girls."
"What is it?" Nicole asked.Derek took a breath. "I did perform the family finder's spell, and when it's cast, it looks for family… all family."
"And?" Amanda asked.He moved his shoulders as if to soften the news. "There are other Cathers out there."
Nicole shared a stunned glance with her sister."I guess the question is, do you want to find them?" Derek asked intently.
Nicole looked again at Amanda and then back at Derek. She shook her head. "Definitely not."
And then she sighed, and braced herself. After all, family… was family.
In the Forever Time, Restored
In the eternal greenwood, just outside the Temple of the Justices, the dawn rose like a miracle, and blessings sparkled on grass and leaf like dew. To the trilling of larks, the lord and his lady rode their magnificent stallions, side by side. Pandion alighted on Holly's arm, and Fantasme's bells jingled as he soared high among silvery clouds, piercing the sunbeams, then circled back around to land on Jer's shoulder.
For a span of heartbeats, for several revolutions of the planet, the balance was safe--at least long enough for a morning ride. As the horses chuffed, the magical falcon and the enchanted hawk lofted from master and mistress and flew together to their nest. There, three tiny nestlings chirped for their breakfast, and the proud father and sweet mother set about caring for their young.
Jer smiled at his one true love. And Holly, though she could see nothing, saw Jer's smile. She reached out a hand and traced his cheek, her fingers marveling at the smooth, unlined skin. Her love had taken away his scars.
Love is blind, she thought.
Love sees all. Oh, Jer Deveraux, I love you with all my heart, and with all my soul. And I will love you forever.
"What are you thinking about?" His voice was soft and gentle. Happy.
"What do you think?" she replied.
Jer brought his horse closer to Holly's, and he leaned from the saddle. He gathered her up, and kissed her with all the joy and passion the universe could summon.
Then something shimmered, something happened, and light blazed across his face. Holly's head was wreathed in golden light, and behind her, on a hill, sat a shining castle. Its spires and turrets gleamed in the rosy morning, and he heard flutes and drums, and smelled cooking meat.
"A gift, in thanks." It was the Justices. He caught his breath.
Holly said, "I heard it too."
"Take your ease," they said, "and then, return."
Jer settled her in front of him on his saddle and they cantered toward the castle. Pandion and Fantasme urged their chicks to flight, and all followed the lovers… to Scarborough Fair.
Remember me… Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Holder has received four Bram Stoker awards for her supernatural fiction. She has served on the board of trustees for the Horror Writers Association.
Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages, and she has more than seventy-eight books and two hundred short stories to her credit. Her books for Simon Pulse include the Wicked series and the novel Spirited. She lives in San Diego with her daughter, Belle, and far too many animals. Visit Nancy online at nancyholder.com.Debbie Viguié is the author of several Simon Pulse books, including the Wicked series, Midnight Pearls, Scarlet Moon, and Violet Eyes. Debbie has been writing for most of her life and holds a degree in creative writing from UC Davis. When Debbie is not busy writing, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Scott. They currently live in Hawaii. Visit Debbie online at debbieViguié.com.415More Book for Your BUCKElizabeth ChandlerChristopher PikeNancy Holder and Debbie Vigui.J SmithFrom Simon Pulse Published by Simon & Schuster416Check your PulseSimon & Schuster's Check Your Pulse e-newsletter offers current updates on the hottest titles, exciting sweepstakes, and exclusive content from your favorite authors.Visit SimonSaysTEEN.com to sign up, post your thoughts, and find out what every avid reader is talking about!ATHENEUMMargaret K. McElderry BooksSimon and Schuster Books for Young ReadersSIMON PULSE
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
Part One Melchior
Part Two Balthasar
Part Three Gaspar
Nancy Holder, Wicked: Resurrection 5
