His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 23: Sacrifice*

A week later 

It had been a week since the pit demon had attacked Richard. 

Lux, Harper and Edward had turned up a few seconds later. They lost it and completely destroyed the monster. They look beyond worried, in fact, terrified when they saw Richard. He was unconscious, bleeding out and hardly breathing. 

The trio quickly grabbed the couple and shimmered back to the cottage. Nerida Had started to cast healing spells straight away. After a couple of days of intense healing, most of the physical damage had been repaired.

“Why is he not bloody waking up Nerida?“ shouted Edward. He was running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“ Because he had a mega dose of chaos poison shot straight into his heart! You may be of chaos, but you are also part Human. That side of him is damaged and I can’t heal it! My magic is for immortals and Gods, not mortals. Even Jamie has had to heal the human part of herself!” Nerida cried.

“I can feel him slipping away!” Edward said in a low voice, not wanting Jamie to hear. “There must be more you can do?“

“I can keep him alive, but that is all. I am sorry Edward.” Nerida said, her eyes filling with tears. 

Unbeknownst to them, Jamie was at Richard’s bedside listening. She had not moved or eaten since the attack. When anyone tried to persuade her she just turned her head and looked at Richard. Even Fluff said nothing, he just sat on her lap. 

“He is going to die Fluff!” Jamie mind linked. She slowly got up and then ran into the meadow. Jamie sat down in the spot where she and Richard had shared close moments. It was a cool night and stared up to the sky and saw stars. Fluff came and sat down beside her.

“ What happens when Demons die, Fluff?” Jamie asked out loud as an hugged her knees.

“They don’t die, they return to the chaos source and are reborn again. But, without any memories or anything from their past life. In the case of hybrids, the human half dies and the demon goes to the source.” Fluff said simply.

“So, Amon goes to the source? Richard will then go to the Realm of the Dead, like Ma and Da? Jamie said.

Fluff was silent, he has been dreading this question. “Fluff?” Jamie said sensing something was wrong.

“No Jamie, that place is for human souls of the mortal world. His human half was born in the Realm of Chaos, he will go to The Void.” Fluff explained.

“The Void?“ Jamie said.

“The place of no light, hope or love.“ Fluff mind linked. Fluff did not say that was the place where Richard would live through his fears over and over again.

“Well, that settles it then!” Jamie said getting up.

“But, you could die! A spell that powerful could fragment your very soul!” Fluff said shouted.

“If I die then at least I will see Ma and Pa!“ Jamie said softly 

“But..” Fluff wanted to say that she would not go to the Realm of the Dead. Jamie would be returned to The Void because her curse had not been fulfilled. Fluff had been forbidden, he could not even think the words.

“Jamie, please!” Fluff pleaded.

Jamie bent down and kissed Fluff on the head. “ It is ok Fluff, I love him and I am not scared of death. As long as Richard is ok, that is all that matter to me!” She said as she walked back to the cottage. 

Everyone else was sleeping, and Jamie went into the bedroom where Richard laid motionless. Jamie placed her knees on either side of him and laid her right hand on his heart. Jamie placed her forehead on his. 

“Fluff, tell them thank you and that I hope our paths meet again. Tell Richard thank you for loving me and that I love him! Jamie mind linked.

Jamie took a deep breath and said, “Ego vis ad vitam offering him. quod bene vult accipiat. hoc est voluntatis“ as she filled her mind and heart with the love she felt for him. ( I offer willingly my life force unto him. Let him take what he needs to heal. This is my sacrifice, this is my will).

Jamie’s whole body glowed purple, as she felt her life force going into Richard. Jamie gently kissed him as she closed her eyes, happy to accept death if required. Jamie then fell into darkness.

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Richard was floating in a Black Sea. There was no sound or light, it was just nothingness.

“I am sorry Richard!” Anom said sadly.

“It is ok, is it time?“ Richard said.

“It is soon. I will have to go back to the chaos source and you move on to..“ Amon said.

“The darkness, I know!” Richard said softly.

They fell silent. 

“Thank you,” Richard said.

Amon seemed surprised, “What for?”

“You kept me alive all these years. I have had the most extraordinary life, many times longer than if I had been born mortal. I also got to meet her, our fated mate!”

“Yeah, that part was pretty good!” Amon admitted, “Are you scared?”

“Terrified, but it was worth it!“ Richard said honestly.

“Yes, yes it was!“ Amon said. 

Suddenly, a bright light flashed in the sky. “Is this it?“ Richard asked. Before Amon could answer a voice boomed, “A sacrifice has been offered and accepted!”

The light became blinding for a few minutes and then Richard opened his eyes. He found himself back in the cottage with what looked like a sleeping Jamie by the side of him.

“Love, I am back!“ Richard said softly, as he stroked her cheek. Richard gasped as he realised it was stone cold. “ Jamie?” he said shaking her, no response.

 “Jamie?” Richard shouted as tears formed in his eyes. 

It was at that point Edward came running in to find Richard awake and cradling his love.