“I know and I like it that way.” I pull her back up, and she rolls her eyes at me.
“Just make sure you’re there, okay?”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
Chapter 51
Reign
Flying is liberating. It’s the only time I feel like I can escape it all. There’s something calming about the wind brushing my hair and the distance between me and the world below. It’s almost as if everything that happens down there is only a dream. But the delusion of it all only exists when I’m soaring through the sky. The moment my feet touch the ground, it quickly disappears.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on with you and Ryder?” Kane asks once I shed my phoenix form.
“Not you, too.”
“Your friends like to talk,” he says with a shrug. “I just listen.”
“Well, whathave you heard?”
“Hmm, let’s see. I know about the little garden date Amaya set up for you two, and I know about the curse. That’s quite the inconvenience.”
“Tell me about it,” I say, tossing my head back.
“How does Damien fit into all of this?”
I move my foot around in circles over the dark grey dirt. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure whereIfit into all of this.” I lift my head back up to look at Kane. “How did you know Lytia was the one for you?”
His face lights up at just the mention of her, and it warms my heart.
“Lytia brought me to life. That’s how it felt when I was with her. Even when we were apart, her letters had a way of awakening parts of me that had long been asleep.” His smile reaches his eyes as he talks about their love. “I guess you should ask yourself which one of them does that for you. Which one of them makes you feel most alive? Which one of them makes you the best version of yourself?”
“What if they both have that effect on me?”
“Then I guess you have to decide for yourself which is the one you can’t live without.”
It’s not the answer I wanted. How am I supposed to decide that? Right now, I can’t imagine not having them both in my life. I’ve already lost so many people. I can’t lose anymore.
But that’s what will happen. If I choose Damien, I’ll lose Ryder. But if I choose Ryder, I’ll lose Damien. It feels like an impossible choice.
The first Skycap was fun, but over time it has grown into something even more spectacular. The witches and fae haveadded shows where they get to show off their unique talents, and sometimes the shapeshifters put on competitions for everyone to bet on. All of the magic aside though, my favorite part is getting to be all together.
“Look what I have.” Amaya swings the bag of meltpuffs in Emeric’s face, and he snatches them with one fell swoop.
“My sweet little angels,” Emeric chimes before popping one into his mouth.
“Over here, Em!” Elias motions and Emeric tosses one up for him to catch in his mouth. It’s no surprise when he catches it on his tongue. Elias is one of those people who seems to be naturally good at everything.
“I hope you all don’t mind, I invited someone to join us.” Amaya nods, and I turn around to find Ryder walking up.
My heart skips a beat just seeing him. He’s never come to one of the Skycaps before, let alone joined me and my friends for anything that didn’t involve talk of war. To my surprise, everyone welcomes him with open arms. I don’t know why I expected anything different. It’s not like he’s a stranger. I guess it’s just weird seeing him in this kind of setting.
At least Kane is also a new addition tonight. It makes Ryder’s presence feel slightly less strange. Emeric scoots over and pats one of the pillows, motioning for Ryder to sit next to him. I don’t miss the wink Amaya gives Ryder when he settles in. Of course, his being here was her idea.
“What did I miss?” he asks, directing the question to my meddlesome sister.
“Nothing yet,” Amaya answers with a devilish grin. “I was actually just getting ready to tell everyone about the game I have planned for tonight.”
