Devi freezes.
Her Faeling isn’t one to stay away from a fight, and had she forced him to stay behind, he should have joined us by now.
The light in her eyes dims. “He’s gone.” She swallows. “He’s gone too, Freckles.”
Percy…
I wrap my arms around her, but the pain, the hurt, the shock leave me disconnected from my body, my heart, mysoul.
It’s so strange to see Devi in tears.
She’s the strong one.
“Did the rebel camp survive the fight against the Red Queen?” I ask suddenly, my grief-stricken mind hopping from one thought to the next.
“Yes. It’s intact. Why?” Willow asks.
I pull away from Devi. “I need to go there. Now.”
Devi’s freckles cluster together as she frowns. “Why?”
“I need to get my cat.”
The rickety tavernroom is exactly as we left it, complete with Lady waiting by the door, her tail swishing impatiently behind her.
She’s scratched through the leftover food in my bag, and her water bowl is empty.
The moment I step inside, she taps the floor with one paw.Meow.
I scoop her up from the ground. Her fur is soft and warm, and the scary knot inside my chest eases a little.
“Oh, Lady.” My voice cracks. “He’s gone. He’s truly gone.”
She bumps her head against my chin, purring.
I carry her to the bed and collapse onto it.
The only bed E and I shared, and for such a short time. The sheets still smell like us—like love barely awakened. I bury my face in the pillow.
Then, exhaustion finally claims me.
I should be surprised to end up on the cliffs again, but I’m not.
Ezra walks carefully to me, his hands behind his back. “Hello, little fox.”
“You’re here,” I croak.
I can see him now. I can see him so clearly.
I never, ever want to wake up. I never want to leave these cliffs where we shared so many nights together.
Where he died.
Every memory I have of this place is drenched in daylight. We've watched the sunrise from these cliffs. Kissed beneath the midday sun. Held each other while twilight poured over the clouds below.
And now, for the first time, we meet under the stars.
There is no moon tonight, and that only makes them brighter. They spill across the heavens in impossible numbers, crowding every stretch of dark velvet sky. The sea of clouds below reflects their glow, and for a dizzying moment, it feels as though we're standing between two skies.
