She let out a shuddering breath."Too late."
He squeezed her hand."We're letting our worries get the best of us.That place messed with our heads.It's normal to think we're seeing things."
She wanted to believe him.God, she wanted to.
"But it looked so real," she said."Just like before."
Finn shifted closer, cupping her cheek with a tenderness that made her eyes sting."We made it out alive," he said roughly."We're never going back.Everstill can't touch us here."
She leaned into his palm, closing her eyes."You promise?"
"I promise," he murmured.
She rested her forehead against his, breathing him in, letting his warmth chase away the cold knot in her chest.His thumb brushed her cheek, reminding her that he was here.
They were both scared of losing each other.
The past was louder in their minds than the real world.All she wanted was him.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight."I don't want to lose you," she whispered.
"You won't," he said, pulling her closer."Not now.Not ever."
And for tonight, she let herself believe him.
"I heated the leftovers," she whispered."Are you hungry?"
"How about we skip dinner and have ice cream?"
"That's what you always say."She kisses him."But tonight, I won't fight you.We'll have ice cream for dinner."
Going to the kitchen, she put the food away and dished up the ice cream while Finn took a shower.When he finished, she carried the bowls to the couch.
Sitting beside him, she tried hard to shake off her worries.They were safe.
But the rift was bigger than both of them.
After she finished eating, she took both their bowls to the sink and returned to Finn.She curled against his side, tucking her legs beneath her and resting her head against his chest.The lamp cast a soft golden glow across the room.The faint hum of the refrigerator, the quiet tick of the clock, the steady rise and fall of Finn's breathing soon lulled her into relaxing.
She felt him shift slightly, his arm tightening around her."You're quiet," he murmured.
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
She lifted her head, meeting his eyes."About us.About...everything.How close we came to losing each other when we left Everstill."
Finn cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin with a tenderness that made her chest ache."We didn't lose each other," he said softly."And we're not going to."
She swallowed, emotion tightening her throat."Sometimes I still worry.About the rift.About Everstill.About the shadows."
He leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers."Kallie," he whispered, "nothing will ever tear us apart.Not even the rift.Not Everstill.I won't let it."
Her breath hitched."You really believe that?"
"I know it," he said, his voice steady and sure."We're here.We made it out.We're alive.And we're staying right here.Neither of us is looking for the veil."
She closed her eyes, letting his words sink in and settle the last trembling pieces inside her.
