“Was your ex into this sort of thing?” Uncle Doug asks. “With the nickname ‘Moth,’ I alwaysassumed.”
“Uh, no.” I bite my bottom lip. “I don’t think he would have been a fan of this at all.” Uncle Doug places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Judging by his downward smile, I can tell he’s sorry he brought it up. He slides me a five-dollar bill.
“Why don’t you pick us up some coffees?” he says. “Take your time, see the sights—you could even sit in and listen to one of the speakers.”
Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to be the distraction I need; still, the more time I stand in the crowd, the more I feel myself being drawn in. Coffee? Right! I can do that. Forcing a smile—something I’ve been doing a lot lately—I walk away from his booth and into the crowd in search of caffeine. A noble quest no matter what realm I’m in.
Pulling up the map on my phone, I navigate past the vendors, music, and attractions until I reach an impressive line for a small coffee shop on the main street. There are even more reminders of Moth here, including a specialty cold brew, coffee blends, and a Mothman-shaped cookie—which I order for Uncle Dougobviously. I’m too jittery to want something for myself.
A group press their faces through a cardboard cutout of Mothman drinking a cup of coffee, smiling for the camera. I wonder if they’d be surprised at just how sweet hetakes it.
I wish he was right here in this café next to me. I bet he’d get the sugariest thing on the menu—and the cinnamon bread behind the glass case.
If only he missed me the way Imiss him.
I make a quick stop back at the booth to drop off the coffee and cookie before my uncle shoos me away again. Maybe all my gloom is scaring off customers. I send Rosie a few pictures and lament that the Mothman Festival is post-breakup hell. At the same time, I’m fascinated by all the joy everyone has celebrating Moth’s legend. To say it’s surreal would be an understatement. After popping into the museum, gift shop, and spending a few dollars on an adorable chibi Mothman keychain that, despite everything, I just can’t resist, I wander back toward that silvery statue of the man I love.
With the way the sun is beating down, I don’t know how anyone is dressed in polyester. Pulling my glasses down, I suddenly wish I had ordered an ice latte or packed a sunhat or vintage parasol. The sight of so many antennae headbands makes my scalp itch. There are a lot of costumes; would anyone even notice if I let my real antennae spring free? I wait in line for one of the few public restrooms and let out a whimper as my wings and antenna go free.
In Eclipsica, I got used to seeing this version of myself in the mirror. If I’m being totally honest, I’m not sure that I am used to her yet, but I do like her all the same. Drawing in a deep breath, I decide that if there’s anywhere I can get away with being my true self in the mortal realm, it’s thisfestival.
I nod and smile whenever anyone compliments my wings and “headband.” Maybe I should move back to a big city. In LA, everyone would think I was dressed up for a photoshoot, and in New York, I don’t think anyone would bat an eye. I might have trouble getting onto the subway though, and really, that’s not the life I want.
A few clouds shift in front of the sun, casting me in darkness for a moment. A few gasps and shouts make me think that it’s a stormcloud or—
Ohdear god.
A dark, hulking body hangs in the sky, his glowing red eyes and his fangs on full display. His wings span out wide, and even in his rage, this creature is beautiful—and absolutely terrifying.
And coming right for me.
25.
Moth lands with a thud, towering over both me and the silver statue made in his honor. Side by side, I really can confirm that he’s much more attractive. Now shouldn’t be the timefor that.
He’s here—it’s impossible, and wrong, and so horribly wanted. But what about the life he deserves on the other side of the portal?
“You left me…” he growls, stalking toward me. There’s hurt and anger in those glossy orb eyes, though right now I’m not sure which emotion has a hold of him. Moth’s beak twists downward in what appears to be a grimace and—why should he be upset when he’s finally free of me?
“I had to—”
“No, my flame, you did not.” Another step toward me. I feel like I should back away, but my feet stay firmly planted on the ground. “You are the bane of my existence, the love of my life, and I am takingyou home.”
Home.
He’s talking about the castle, of course—he came here with a way back. Why? So that he can break up with me in Eclipsica instead of the mortal realm? No, no—that doesn’t make sense. If he really didn’t love me, why would he be standing here of all places? But the fact remains…
“I can’t make you hide in the shadows here forever,” I say in a low voice. The life he deserves is a world away—the Crown Prince of Eclipsica should have nothing less.
He growls, his wings spanning wide across the gathering crowd. Warmth pools in my stomach, contrasting a chill at the back of my neck. He’s here. He came for me—why? Why would he do that if he didn’t stilllove me?
“Do I appear to be hiding?” he growls. God, I’ve never seen him this angry; there’s something about this newness that makes me want to jump him right here and now—what iswrongwith me? The sorrow on his bird-like face snaps me back to reality. My giant, wounded birdman is baring his heart to me, and I’m thinking about wanting to pull him into a kiss.
The surrounding crowd grows, intently watching us—okay,mostly him.
“Do you think any part of me wanted to be in that ballroom without you?”
“Uh, Moth…”
