?Hope glimmers in his eyes but it’s drowned. Still, he whispers, “How do you know?”
?I shift my hips and then relax into the bed as my heartbeat finally syncs with hers. “Because I’ve seen part of her soul.” My eyes drift shut. “She doesn’t believe she’s worthy of us.Allof us. But I’ve seen it. The reason she’s trying so hard to push us away. It’s because she loves us too.”
?The last thing I process is the bed dipping and then spicy clove and citrus mingling with the rest of our scents. It nearly feels complete. One scent still missing. But it feels like home, nonetheless. It feels like peace.
Thirty-Four
Mavyn – Decim 18
I’m wrapped up in what feels like sunshine. Warmth without the burning when I have not felt it in so long. I snuggle closer and this sunshine smells like crackling embers and cedar. The contrast should jar my brain but I don’t care because I don’t want to leave this.
?Feathers begin tracing along my arm and the light touch plays into the future I’m dreaming of. A beautiful and yet simple house with a wraparound porch and sun room. Because in this dream of my future I’m able to touch the sunlight again.
?In this dream of my future I’m able to have children. I dance in flowy dresses where my arms and legs are exposed and I’m able to hug my family. In this dream of my future there is no pain and I can freely love and we are at peace.
?What’s wrong, my love?
?That feather brushes my cheek and I can see it all so clearly. The sun shining go brightly above and the field before us is full of flowers that are not poisonous.
?It’s not real.
?What is?
?This. I don’t get this. A home. A family. Peace. I don’t get a one day or a softer ending. And it’s not fair.
?It’s not fair.
?But it’s never been fair.
?Mavyn.
?No, I whimper.I don’t want to wake up.
?Mavyn.
?Mavyn.
?Mavyllora.
?None of it was real.
?This is all just a dream.
Thirty-Five
Castiel – Februis 27
Electricity pulses over my daggers as I block Varian’s blow with his long sword. Sweat drips down the side of my forehead as we finish with our own sparring. We had a longer session today and I’m sure it’s because it’s getting closer to the end of the year.
?I’ll be gone all summer doing whatever the Mage Board wishes. Probably spying in some country or kingdom on another world. Somewhere far, far away from my fated. My fated who just walked into the building.
?Varian pants as he looks over my shoulder at her. I glance as well and watch her and the mage head towards the changing room. Both of them animatedly talking about something we’re too far away to hear.
?“Stop gawking, boy!”
?The bone witch’s voice has me steeling my spine as I slowly look away from my girl and thickly swallow. It’s been an extremely long five weeks.
?“I was n – “
