It took all of my effort to keep my legs from running out there to protect him, although I was fully aware I was ill equipped to do so - and that was an understatement. Finally, after ten minutes of agonizing tension, the horn sounded again and they stepped away from each other. Finn’s face and body were already beginning to heal from the first round, but I could tell that the fight was taking a toll on him. Maddox was favoring his left leg, but kept his eyes on Finn the entire time.
Suddenly, something began to push up through the earth around the black circle where they stood. Three more circles broke through the earth, each containing hundreds of spikes at least a foot tall; the tips menacingly sharp. It would only take one missed step to result in one of them becoming impaled. A terrified sob rose from my chest and I clutched my stomach, suddenly feeling nauseous.
The bell sounded three more times and when I tried to look away, I couldn’t. They began to circle each other again and I remember thinking how much I just wanted it to end. No matter the outcome, it was torture to watch the person you love get beaten to death.
As they swung their weapons, Finn’s axe connected with Maddox’s blade; sending the sword flying out of the circle. Finn swiftly swept Maddox’s legs out from under him, causing him to crash down; his head missing the spikes of the first circle by an inch. Finn jumped on top of him, but surprisingly he set down his axe. He began to untie his gloves, using them to tie up Maddox’s arms and legs. The crowd mumbled as they attempted to figure out what Finn was doing, and why he hadn’t ended Maddox’s life already. From my position I could also see Maddox yelling something at Finn, and Finn simply shaking his head at him solemnly.
The crowd quieted automatically as Finn stood and looked up at them. My heart plummeted as I knew what he intended to do next. He put his hands up and began to address the audience.
“Sons, ancestors, and friends; you’ve come here tonight to witness the crowning of a new Prime. However, I have made a decision to-“
“Finn! No!” Before I could stop myself, I was running. I heard a collective gasp from the crowd as they saw me, and Finn turned. When his gaze met mine I felt his darkness reach out to me and embrace me. His face turned from determined to shocked in under a second, as he stared at me in silence. I stopped just before the first row of spikes and caught Maddox staring wide eyed at me.
“Please don’t! You can’t do this! You can’t give everything up!”
Without a word he walked out of the circle, through the spikes and came to a stop in front of me. In his eyes I saw the desperation that motivated him, the love that drove him, and the honor that bound him to his destiny.
“Pasha,” he whispered in astonishment.
“I know what you’re planning to do and…” the tears began to fall, “I can’t let you do it.
We’ll find another way!” I pleaded with him, but he simply smiled.
“This is the only way. Once I am bound to Nadia, you will be lost to me forever.”
“If you do this, you will lose everything!”
“But I will gain the one thing that I can’t live without.” He took my hand and gently kissed it.
Then he quickly turned and walked back to the circle where Maddox was thrashing around, cursing at him. Finn addressed the audience again, “My destiny is my own to accept or deny. And on this night I choose-“
“Finn, please!” I produced the pomegranate from my pocket, realizing that there was no other way. As I held it up in my palm the crowd gasped, and Finn’s face turned to horror. I spoke only to him, “Fulfill your destiny. We will be together in the Underworld.”
“Stasia don’t!” No sooner than his words were out, I brought the fruit to my mouth and sunk my teeth into it as my mother’s words echoed in my mind: ‘ Listen to your heart and decide what you are willing to sacrifice, my dear Pasha’. I watched in slow motion as he ran out of the circle towards me. A forceful wind blew me backwards and then everything went black.
Chapter 41
A light breeze flowed over my skin and ruffled my hair. The soft ground beneath me smelled of spices and herbs. I slowly opened my eyes and lifted myself up to my hands and knees. I was lying in a sort of garden. Sweet mint, basil, and paprika plants had been flattened beneath my weight.
“You surprise me, young goddess.”
I twisted around, landing hard on my bottom. Persephone was sitting Indian-style mere feet away from me. I took several deep breaths and then tucked my legs beneath me. We were currently in the middle of an expansive garden flanked by a magnificent golden mansion. I put my head in my hands and allowed myself to cry. The fear and stress of the last twenty four hours exploded within me, slowly draining into the soil that supported me.
“I couldn’t let him do it. I love him,” I continued to sob.
A demonic laugh wafted up from our right, and I looked over to see Nadia making her way up the path towards us. I began to stand; feeling way too vulnerable sitting down, but Persephone grabbed my arm and held me where I was.
“Stupid, stupid Stasia,” she chuckled again and put her hands on her hips. “You think you’ve done something noble, but all you’ve accomplished is trapping yourself in the Underworld, allowing Finn and I to live out the life we are meant to have.” She winked at me, “I’ll tell him hi for you.”
This time I stood, fully intending to tackle her when Persephone also stood. “Silence, Nadia.”
Nadia furrowed her brow, “I’m just telling her what she should already know.”
“What matters to me is that Finn fulfills his destiny - because for every evil being like you, we will need a great leader like him!” I spat at her.
“Ugh, really?” she raised an eyebrow. “Give me a break. Who do you think you are? You’re no martyr. Why don’t you just stay down here with my mother and leave the real leadership to the ones who can handle it.”
Holding her gaze, I stepped up to her, “A leader does not demand from weaker beings. A leader does not take advantage of her abilities. She leads from within; with dignity and grace. She always puts herself last and she is willing to sacrifice for what is right.” I stepped even closer as she gawked at me with wide eyes, “You will never be a leader,” I hissed at her.
“Anastasia,” I turned to Persephone as she motioned for me to stand beside her. “Come.”
With one last glance at Nadia, I turned and walked to Persephone. She put her hand on my shoulder.
“Never have I met a woman more willing to sacrifice for the man she loves, and willing to fight so hard for what is right. You have proven me wrong, young goddess. And for that; I have decided to give you amnesty.”
“What!?” Nadia lashed out, but Persephone held up her hand.
“I also dismiss your betrothal to Finn.” She sighed as she eyed her daughter in disappointment, “It pains me to say this, but you truly do not deserve him.”
“Mother!” Nadia gasped, as Persephone smiled at me.