She would stay for him.
And Everstill would devour her.It would take every ounce of joy and love from her until there was nothing left, and she was hollow.
When they reached the edge of the shadow seam, Finn stopped.The storm screamed around them, wind whipping Kallie's hair across her face.She turned toward him, confusion flickering across her features, her brows drawing together as she searched his eyes.
"Finn?"she asked softly, stepping closer.
He didn't give himself time to think.Thinking would break him.Thinking would make him weak.Thinking would make him choose her over her safety.So he grabbed her face in both hands and kissed her hard, desperate, pouring everything he had into that one impossible moment.Every memory.Every hope.Every piece of himself she had brought back to life.
He gave it all back to her before it was gone.
She gasped against his mouth, then kissed him back with the same fierce devotion, her fingers curling into his shirt like she never wanted to let go.The storm roared around them, lightning splitting the sky, thunder shaking the ground beneath their feet.He kissed her like it was the last time he'd ever taste her, because it was.
He tore his mouth from hers, gasping for breath, his forehead pressed to hers."I love you," he said, his voice breaking under the weight of the truth."But you need to go back alone."
She blinked, stunned."What?"
"Go!"he shouted over the storm.
She grabbed him tighter, refusing to let him pull away."No.No, Finn, I'm not going without you."
It was the same way she acted when she was sixteen.But she was stronger and more determined now.
"You have to go back."His raw voice shook."You have to go live your life."
She shook her head violently, tears mixing with the rain."Don't make me leave you.Don't do it, Finn.I—I'll stay.I'll stay with you."
His heart shattered.He felt the physical break, tearing inside him.It hurt worse than any damage the rift could do to him.She would stay.She would stay for him.She would give up everything for him.And Everstill would take her piece by piece until she was hollow like the others.
He couldn't let that happen.
He wouldn't.
He didn't think.
He didn't hesitate.
He didn't give himself a chance to change his mind.
He scooped her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest as she cried out his name, her hands gripping his shoulders, her tears hot against his neck.The veil pulsed brighter, the air crackling with energy, the storm screaming around them.
"Finn—!"
Carrying her, he stepped forward.
The world tore sideways.
Light vanished in a single, violent blink.
