Jolie turned toward Hans. “What curse did I break?”

“He couldn’t sacrifice himself while trapped in his child form.” Warmth filled his eyes. “You trusting us, helping us, and letting us help you broke his curse.”

Really? That was…incredible. “You knew things. How? And what are you? What—”

His finger pressed against her lips. “Not yet, dear.”

What? If not then, then when?

He pulled his finger away, so she opened her mouth—he kissed her.

Jolie melted and fell into his addictive kiss. It wasn’t fair.

He pulled away and chuckled before chanting. The snow-covered world faded into Dad’s living room, Dad standing by the couch.

Dad cussed and scrambled away, falling and landing hard on his butt.

Despite the pain pulsing in her heart, a giggle escaped Jolie. Hans had transported them to Dad’s place, his magic beyond incredible.

Dad righted himself. “J-Jolie? How’d you—” His eyes rounded and chin quivered as his coloring drained away. “No. No, no, no. Hon, tell me she’s not…” His Adam’s apple bobbed as tears glistened in his eyes. “Gone.”

Hans whispered a short spell, and the pain eased from Dad’s face.

Though her sister was fine in spirit, the weight of her passing pressed down on Jolie. She went to the couch and patted the seat next to her.

Dad climbed to his feet and sat beside her, Hans still standing. But Jolie focused on her dad and took his hand. “I’m so sorry, Dad.” Her voice cracked. Wait. He knew.

“The veil is permanently sealed.” Strength poured from Hans’s voice.

Dad pointed at the bookcase. “Baby, go get your mom’s journal.”

Sure. She’d placate him for a little while. Jolie stood and retrieved it, then returned to her seat and handed it over.

“No, Jolie. You know how to open it now. She…” A tear trickled from his eye, and he wiped at it. “She warned me this day would come. When you’d return married to a powerful enchanter born to save the world.”

Chills cascaded down her back. Hans. A powerful enchanter? She blinked up at him. Him, the incredible man who’d saved and helped her. To save the world.

His charming lopsided smile spread, teasing her.

“I’m married to a hero?”

Dad’s hand patted her knee. “Open and read the journal, baby.”

She swallowed. Hands trembling, she drew a heart on the cover with her finger. Without lifting away, she drew a pentagram in the center.

The cover lifted, and pages flipped and stopped near the back.

Her heart quivered. She glanced up at Hans, and he nodded and pointed at the book in her hands.

Dear Jolie,

She sucked in a sharp breath while her chest further tightened. Mom. She knew.

I’m so proud of you. By now you’ve trusted and started falling for the one Epia gifted you. He’s no ordinary man, but an enchanter, the only one of his kind.

You’re probably wondering how I know. When you finish reading this, all of my magic and memories will pass to you.

Jolie, my magic allowed me to look into your future. I foresaw everything that would happen to both you and your sister. I knew she’d fall in love with a man who’d appear in her dreams. I looked into her heart and saw her hesitation at what she knew she had to do to help save the world. By sacrificing herself, she understood how much it’d hurt you and your dad, yet she did it for the greater good.

My precious darling, you are now the most powerful witch ever to exist, but your magic is too strong for this world. I’m sorry, Jolie, but you’ll have to be translated like your husband. You’ll never taste death, but you’ll no longer be constrained by mortal means. You’ll be like a resurrected person in perfect form. You’ll have a perfect understanding after it happens.

A shiver passed through her. Mom knew everything, and her full understanding would pass to her.

Don’t worry about your dad. I’ve left him the location of our hidden land. There he can see you, but I shouldn’t say anything more. The rest is a surprise.

Now close this book and leave it with your dad.

Jolie closed the journal and stared at it. How, how was it possible?

A large hand covered hers. Hans. “I’m not an enchanter like the term for a person with magic. I’m a being created by the gods in a priestess’s womb from ancient Gaul. And I’ve waited millennia for you.” He took the book and handed it to Dad, then pulled her to her feet. “For a special witch willing to give up everything to follow a path set out for her to save her loved ones, people, and world.”

Her mouth went dry. A literal born hero meant to save the world pledged himself to her, a humble mortal.

He pulled her against him, and his arms wrapped around her in a comforting embrace. “It’s time to go, dear. Your mother’s memories and magic will flood you as soon as you transition. We’ll visit your father soon on your family’s land. Are you ready?”