I felt like I was sucker punched. Again.
Gasping for air, I placed my hands on my knees and took in deep breaths. I didn’t know where we were now, but the Moirai had shifted us somewhere new. The experience of travelling through time was unforgettable.
“Are you okay?” Mason whispered, the weight of his hand on my lower back grounding me. I nodded, still unable to speak and drew strength from his warm touch. My eyes were still closed and I could hear the soft rustling of material. Finally feeling myself again, I straightened and looked around. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw.
The Fates had transported Mason, Devlin, and me to a place I could only describe as ancient. We were surrounded by rough, stone walls—different from the ethereal brightness from before. It reminded me of movies I’d watched with castles and dungeons. I couldn’t help but run my hand over the brown stones. Even the temperature had dropped slightly, a cool breeze causing goose bumps over my skin. There was a sense of seclusion and I tried to memorize even the smallest detail, which wasn’t too difficult because the room was practically barren.
The entire focus of the room was centered on two, huge arched doorways that took up most of the far wall. On each side, there was a thick column made out of black marble. Moving closer to inspect the bold entryway, I noticed gold flecks flickering from the fire in the wall sconces.
The doors were made of wood, weathered by what I assumed was centuries of wear and tear. Large brass knockers each with a lion head and a ring secured tightly in its mouth. The closer I got to them, the stronger the pulse of energy radiated from beyond the doors. Something powerful was hidden behind the frames, something associated with these tests. I knew I should be cautious, even a little afraid, but I was very intrigued. My fingertips barely brushed against the flat surface when Atropos’ voice made me jump in surprise.
“It’s not yet time for you to go through, Darcy.” Her voice echoed in the room, bouncing off the bare walls. Reluctantly taking my gaze away from the doors, I turned back and returned to Mason and Devlin’s side. The worry on their faces was evident as Mason stood with his feet parted in a readied stance. Devlin’s attention never wavered from the columned entrance, his jaw tight.
“So Mason and I will walk through a door, face whatever you’ve arranged and when we succeed, everything will be as it should be. All doubt about our bond removed?”
“Yes.” The Fates responded as one. I looked solidly at each one holding their gaze as I studied them individually for any hint of deceit.
“Have I mentioned how much I hate this idea, Darcy? There’s a reason why people fear the Heart or Death, why it’s talked about in hushed tones. If this needs to happen, fine. But I don’t want you doing it. Who knows what we’ll face and I refuse to lose you,” Mason whispered, pulling me into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around me and I rested my head against his chest. His heart was beating faster than normal and I could sense how strong his apprehension was. I didn’t want to do this either, but I would face anything if it meant he was mine forever.
“I just want things to return to how they were. I don’t want the life the Moirai described if we don’t endure these trials. We’re strong, Mason. We’re fighting for each other. We’ll survive this and then you can keep your promise of marrying me. I don’t want anyone thinking they have the power to take you away from me.” I answered him quietly, tightening my arms around his waist. I loved standing like this with him— our connection felt unbreakable. We were a team and this was just one more obstacle for us to overcome, together, before we could claim the prize we wanted most.
“Just hold that love you have for each other deep in your hearts,” Devlin added, placing a hand on both of our shoulders. “One thing I’ve learned over the years is there’s nothing you can’t conquer in the name of love. It will keep you motivated, driven and focused—regardless of how daunting the tasks are. I won’t sugarcoat it, this terrifies me. The last person to survive the Heart or Death emerged on the other side broken, his mind completely fractured.”
“So if it doesn’t kill us, it’ll just drive us insane? Great.” Mason groaned, his hand rubbing up and down my back. “Something to look forward to, I guess.”
“Come on, we need to stay positive with this. Yes, a million and one things can go wrong, but everything could go right. Yes, it could push us to our very breaking point, but it could also make us stronger than we’ve ever imagined. And Devlin is right, love conquers all. I love you, Mason, and it will give me everything I need. I believe it, here.” I took a small step away and covered my heart with his hand. “You need to feel it here, too.” And I placed my fingers over his.
“Young Darcy is correct. Love is a powerful force,” Lakhesis interrupted. “And it is for that reason that special conditions have been placed over the tests.”
“What do you mean special conditions?” Mason warily asked, returning me to his protective embrace. I turned around, pressing my back against his chest.
“Isn’t it enough that they agreed to your requests? Why make it more difficult?” Devlin questioned. I watched my dearest friend and saw the frustration barely concealed in his eyes. I knew he didn’t like this.
“You will both be stripped of the memories you have of one another,” Klothos stated. “It will be as though you’d never met. Only then can a true test be held.”
I couldn’t breathe. It felt like all the air had been instantly sucked from the room and my body scrambled to keep itself functioning. I’d faced a lot as a werewolf. More since being in Mason’s life, but this . . . there was no way of me ever seeing this as a possibility. Not remember Mason? To have all my precious memories stripped away seemed beyond cruel. It was harsh.
“No . . . ,” I whispered. “You can’t do that. I need them.”
“You agreed to take part in the Heart or Death. Had you refused, you would never have been brought this far. It is too late to back out now.” I didn’t know who had spoken, but their words rang in my ears.
“But you didn’t tell us this would be the price,” I added
“You never asked, young Darcy. You simply accepted the challenge, knowing it was the only way.”
We would be completing the tasks blindly—deprived of the very thing that would give us an advantage. I looked back into Mason’s eyes and found them staring at me with a mixture of compassion and sorrow. He wasn’t happy that I’d agreed and turning me around, I leaned into his touch as his finger traced the curve of my cheek.
“This is where you need to believe, sweetheart.” He tilted my face and brushed his lips against mine. “Memories are but thoughts. You don’t carry me in your mind; you keep me here, buried deep within. You may not remember, but your heart will never forget.” Mason cocked his head and offered me a tender smile. “Mine won’t ever forget. You have been a part of me since the first time I met you. You’re ingrained into my very soul. No amount of magic or ancient power can destroy that.” A stray tear escaped and rolled down my cheek, only to be captured by Mason’s thumb. “Have faith in us. Have faith that we are bigger than all of this.”
“You always know the right thing to say.” I nodded, grateful for the man holding me. “And I do believe. I believe in us.” I lifted up on my tiptoes and captured his mouth with mine.
There was something different about this kiss, something more. Even though I knew our memories would eventually be restored, I poured myself into showing Mason just how much he meant to me. In this one precious moment, I wanted to capture everything I’d ever felt and would.
I caressed his face, the stubble along his jawline rough under my touch; then I nipped at his bottom lip before moving in for a deeper taste. Lacing my arms around his neck, I pressed my body against him, enjoying the comparison of his hardness to my softness. Mason responded quickly by anchoring my hips to his and his fingers wasted no time tangling in my hair. The sensation caused shivered pleasure to pulse through me—his touch igniting every nerve.
When his lips parted, I boldly accepted the invitation and my tongue dipped inside. Mason’s grip in my hair tightened as our kiss deepened—blissful stroke for stroke. I was losing myself in him, but at the same time I knew I was home. He was everything I wanted and the future I would fiercely fight to defend and claim. The world around us disappeared, fading away as we indulged in one more soul melting moment before we were separated.
Mason’s arm released its firm hold and I mourned the loss of contact. Seconds later, his hands cupped my head and my body was thrown completely into a tumult of emotions. Every nerve ending was on fire as he took control of the kiss, shattering every doubt and replacing it with conviction.
I love you, Darcy. His voice whispered in my mind. I held onto him tighter, reveling in how closely we were connected, never wanting to let him go.
Forever, Mason. Forever and always, I answered.
A surge of love pushed through our link, filling me with warmth that enveloped me like a blanket. I responded with the same, holding nothing back. I gave him everything I was and in that moment, our wolves reached out and touched, sealing our silent promise to endure at all cost.
We stood still, our breathing slightly labored. Our kiss finally over. Awe washed over me as my body slowly calmed. Resting my head against Mason’s chest, I savored these last minutes and made my own vow to never give up.
“There is no doubt in my mind these two are soul mates. You would have to be blind not to agree,” Devlin softly commented. Peering around Mason, I saw him standing over by the doors wearing an approving look on his features. “Memories or not, you can’t suppress the kind of love they have.”
“Even so, this is the way it must be,” Lakhesis replied and gestured for Mason and me to join her. “With your goodbyes made, let us continue.”
Clearing his throat, Devlin moved away from the columns. “Before you do, I’m a little curious why I’m here.” Looking over at the Fates, I nodded as well. I’d wondered the same thing.
“We have decided that both Mason and Darcy can take with them a companion, someone to assist them after each test and to keep them company.”
“And I’m to be with Darcy?” Devlin asked and I noted the slight relaxation in his shoulders.
“Yes. We agree that you are a fitting escort considering your relationship.” Atropos turned to Mason and tipped her head slightly. “We’ve also arranged someone for you, Alpha.”
“Daniel?” Mason asked, and my heart started to beat faster. Daniel would be the perfect person to assist Mason, being his second-in-command and best friend. The two of them had gone through so much and I felt a little of my own tension drain from my body. They could draw strength from each other.
“No, but the one we have chosen is more than adequate,” Atropos answered. “I don’t believe you will complain.”
Mason didn’t push any further, nodding. The moment of our separation was speedily approaching, but neither of us wanted to acknowledge it. I wasn’t looking forward to letting him go, in every sense of the word.
“It is time,” Klothos announced, beckoning us to join her in front of the two doors. Her announcement almost unraveled my commitment to see this through. Obediently, Mason and I walked hand in hand, refusing to break contact just yet.
With a flourish, Klothos waved her arm through the air and revealed glowing, golden Ancient Greek writing above each doorway. I tried making sense of the script, but no matter what I said, the pronunciation sounded funny to my ears.
“The first means from faith comes strength.” Power caused the words to glow a little brighter as Klothos shared the interpretation.
“And the other?” I asked.
“Fire tests gold. A fitting phrase, considering,” she murmured softly. “Are you both ready to commence the Heart or Death?” Klothos swept her gown’s length to the side as she gestured for Mason to come stand before her.
It was the moment of truth. Time to face the unknown and claim what was ours. A strong butterfly sensation fluttered in my stomach, but the second I locked eyes with Mason, it stilled. We were a team. Even though we were facing incredible odds, I knew we would overcome them.
“We’re ready,” Mason answered for both of us. We faced each other, hands firmly clasped together as the Moirai surrounded us. I looked nervously over to Devlin, who remained quiet and was grateful for his reassuring smile.
Lakhesis began to chant, followed quickly by her sisters; and soon the magical energy from their words were churning the air around us. My hair danced about in the current, whipping slightly at my clothes, but I didn’t let it distract me. I drank in every aspect of Mason, memorizing his features, burying deep everything that made him incredible.
At first I didn’t feel anything. Mason caught a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind my ear, the gesture tender. I mouthed I love you and waited for the moment when my memories would disappear. Suddenly I sensed a tugging on my mind and instinctively I fought against it. The second I did, agony hit me.
“Shhh, sweetheart. It only makes it worse if you fight it,” Mason whispered, gritting his teeth. I knew it pained him to submit so freely. Sweat began to bead on his brow and he couldn’t hide the anguish he was experiencing. One by one our memories were being stripped away, leaving behind a growing hole.
The chanting grew louder and louder, the air now thick with energy. My mind continued flickering through all the times I’d spent with Mason—pack runs, alone time, bantering back and forth with friends. Special moments like when he’d proposed, stolen kisses by the waterfall, and the dream that started this whole nightmare. My heart broke remembering precious hours with Jasmine, her vibrant smile and the adoration for her brother shining brightly. I wanted to scream and gather them back to myself, but they slipped away, becoming nothing more than echoes.
All the while, I never took my gaze away from Mason’s face, even as he began to become fuzzy and confusion replaced love. Piece by piece, I lost him. Piece by piece, he lost me. We stood there in silence, our tears now freely falling. Slowly the tight grip of our hands slackened as the last words of the spell were cast. Then they dropped, completely.
“It is done.”
The soft female voice distracted me, but a masculine cough drew my focus back to what was in front of me. I released a gasp, shocked by what I saw.
I was staring into the eyes of a stranger.
