#Chapter 62 - Divine Intervention

Eloise’s POV

I stared in shock at Elara. I was just going to pray for her guidance and benevolence but now I was standing directly in front of her in her realm!

Happiness, anguish, despair, and a little bit of hope overwhelmed me as I threw myself at the Goddess’s feet and began to cry.

“Oh, benevolent Elara! Please, I’m begging you to save Xavier’s life!” I cried.

“I know that he can be emotional and impulsive, but I accept him and love him despite his flaws! I was a fool to think that violence and death would bring my family peace and stability.” I continued.

“I know it in my heart now that I love him and I want a future with him. He means so much to me and I never got to tell him!” My vision began to blur because of my tears.

“Please, oh Moon Goddess! You’re the only hope I have left! Please, I want a second chance with Xavier! I’ll do anything, I’ll give up anything!”

I never thought that I was ever going to admit to loving Xavier but saying it out loud convinced me that it was the truth. Despite our lows, the highs we experienced together were worth it.

He wasn’t perfect but neither was I. In my heart, I knew that he was the one I would do anything for. Especially now that I could feel our mate bond after having gotten rid of Mona.

Elara’s smile was gentle as she stretched out her hand. “You truly love Xavier, don’t you?”

I took her hand and stood up. “Yes, I really do. I just hated that it took me so long to figure it out.”

“What are you willing to give up in exchange for Xavier’s life?”

“My own,” I answered without hesitation.

Elara smiled as if she was expecting me to say that. Without missing a beat, she offered me a proposition.

“I can teach you the art of the forbidden Life Magic. Mastering it will allow you to save Xavier from the hands of Death itself. However…” Her words trailed.

“Using Life Magic means your life force will be drained. Afterward, you may only have very little time to live. Not only that, you will be stripped of your magical abilities. Know that this isn’t a light decision to make.”

My eyes widened but I simply nodded my head. “Whatever the price, I’ll pay for it. Anything for Xavier.”

Elara nodded her head. “Then let us begin.”

I thought that I was going to be in the Night Realm for a while, given that I had never touched forbidden magic. Even as witches with powerful magical abilities, when we became Judges of Lowell, we swore off forbidden magic.

Not only was it immoral but it was also dangerous.

So, I was surprised when I was able to control the magic so easily. The green aura laced with black tendrils flowed in and out of my hands with ease.

Elara smiled at me. “You’re ready.”

“Thank you so much, Moon Goddess, Elara! Although my life will be short after this, I’ll live the rest of it in your gratitude.”

Elara pulled me into her arms for a hug. She smelled like a cool night during the summer with hints of lavender and vanilla.

When she pulled away from me, she placed on hand on my stomach.

“Live the rest of your days with love, my child.”

After that, Elara lifted her arms, and the black sky below me opened up to reveal the garden of the Wisdom castle. I smiled at her again and jumped through the portal.

I rushed for the medical wing of the castle and to Xavier’s bedside. When I took his hand in mine, I shivered.

His body was cold. Death was close to claiming him.

I placed his hand on my chest where my heart was. Then, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I pictured the magical green light of life swirling inside of me. I could also see the black of forbidden magic surround the orb, too. When I opened my eyes again, I moved the green and black orb from my body into Xavier’s.

I watched as the orb dissipated in his body as the room was illuminated by green and black.

After it was all over, I watched as the color began to return to Xavier’s face rapidly. His white hair turned back to black, his cuts were disappearing, and warmth came back to his skin.

Adrian put a hand on my shoulder. “What… what happened?”

One of the priests of Witches Land approached us with a sad look on his face. “Eloise… You used the forbidden Life Magic to bring him back?”

Adrian’s eyes shot up. “What does that mean?”

I smiled but I never turned to face them. My eyes stayed glued to Xavier’s handsome face. “It means that Xavier’s life is guaranteed.”

“At what cost? The priest mentioned forbidden. What does that mean for you, my Lady?” Adrian’s voice cracked as if he was afraid to hear the answer he already knew.

“It means that she has forfeited her life in exchange for his…” The priest answered.

“Lady Eloise…” Adrian’s voice broke as he began to cry.

I stood up from Xavier’s bedside and hugged him, not realizing that I had also began to cry. I then pulled away and looked at everyone in the room.

“Lord Xavier is the only man who has the heart and strength to unite the entire Lowell continent under one, peaceful flag. Please, don’t let my sacrifice be in vain. Support him when I’m gone and most of all…”

I looked up at Adrian and gave him a weak smile. “Don’t tell Xavier of what I did. I don’t want him to chase after something that cannot be undone.”

The priests and priestesses nodded at me. Adrian was hesitant but then he agreed, too.

“You truly are a kind and selfless Lady, Eloise.” Adrian smiled through his tears.

I nodded and turned around to give Xavier one last kiss on the lips.

“Sir Adrian, please make sure that Lord Xavier makes it back to Normand safely. Preferably before he wakes up,” I let out a soft chuckle.

Adrian fisted his hand over his heart and bowed. “Yes, my Lady.”

I left the medical wing as the after-effects of using forbidden magic already began to hit me. As I got back to my room, I closed the door behind me and began to cough into my hand.

When I looked down, I saw blood.

Xavier’s POV

I knew that death was going to claim me eventually. Although I didn’t think it was because I had thrown myself in front of a woman who came from a family I hated that was about to be stabbed.

However, I didn’t regret my decision.

I had no regrets when it came to the choices I made in life. Except one.

I didn’t tell Eloise that I loved her.

It was the one thing I should’ve done. The only thing that would haunt me in whatever life came for me in the next.

What I would give to see her face one last time…

As if the Moon Goddess heard my thoughts, the black void around me soon illuminated so brightly that I felt the urge to open my eyes. When I did, I was shocked to find myself in a bedroom.

After looking around and seeing a fireplace that was lit, I came to realize I was back in Normand.

I… I thought I was dying. How did I get here? What happened?

I sat myself up in bed and groaned when I felt how sore my body was. I furrowed my eyebrows. I was stabbed through the chest… Why does it only feel like I only pulled a few muscles?

“Lord Xavier!” I heard Adrian call for me from across the room.

He got up from his seat and calmly strode to my bedside. A smile lit up his face.

I blinked at him a few times, trying to make sure that I wasn’t just imagining things. “Adrian? Is this real?”

He laughed. “It is, my Lord. You’re safe and sound back in the walls of the Normand castle.”

I looked around the room and was surprised to see that Eloise wasn’t here. “Where is Eloise?”

Adrian’s smile softened. “She remains in Witches Land to have the healers there tend to her wounds after the battle.”

“The battle…!” I realized. “What happened with Douglas? Is she safe? Are the Wisdoms safe?”

Adrian nodded his head. “Yes, my Lord. Your forces wiped out more than half of their army. They retreated with their tails between their legs.”

“Good, good…”

Although I was feeling sore, I got out of bed and walked over to my dresser. Knowing that we were able to stop Douglas from taking Witches Land was a huge relief on my shoulders.

However, it pained me to be so far away from Eloise. I felt too fine for someone who got stabbed and something was telling me that I was going to find out the truth in Witches Land.

“Lord Xavier…” Adrian’s voice broke my thoughts. “You should be resting. I’m sure Lady Eloise will send word for when she’s ready to come home–”

“Sir Adrian, I refuse to leave my wife alone, even if she’s being tended to. I want to be at her side and help her heal.”

Adrian nodded his head. “Of course, my Lord. It was just a suggestion, that was all.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. He should’ve known better than to try to convince me to stay rooted in one place, especially when it came to Eloise.

Without further protests from Adrian, I left for the stables and mounted my trusted white horse, and made the journey to Witches Land alone.