Los Angeles, CA 90026
Dani,
I’m not sure when this will reach you because I’m mailing it from the road.
Okay, don’t freak out—but I’m not coming up to the cabin. I met someone.
I know, I know. I was supposed to be on my way to you with a bottle of wine and all the gossip, but then this man walked into my life like he stepped out of a fever dream wrapped in an expensive dark suit and mystery. Dani… he’s unlike any man I’ve ever met. It’s like he knew everything about me without me having to say a word. He looked at me like I was already his, and I didn’t even mind.
Remember that pen pal I had when we were kids? The one I used to write to every week when we were in Mrs. Ruddell’s class. Remember, his name was Leo, and I thought I was in love in elementary school with this boy who knew me better than half my family? I was so gutted when he stopped writing.
Well this guy, this feels like that times ten. Leo was a boy. Talion is a man.
He said I’m his fated mate. Who talks like that? Certainly none of the losers I’ve dated.
We’ve decided to go away together for a bit. Somewhere remote, off-grid, no service. I’ll call you when Talion and I are back, I swear. Don’t worry—I’m bringing pepper spray and my gut instinct (which has only failed me twice).
This doesn’t feel like a mistake, D. It feels like fate finally decided to throw me a damn bone.
Isn’t it wild that both of us might be finding true love at the exact same time? I mean, yours still might be a deranged pen pal from another dimension, but hey—Prince Charming is Prince Charming, even if he comes through a mailbox. Crazier things have happened.
Love you loads,
—Lib
P.S. I included a month’s worth of batteries. Took them from my own stash—won’t need them with my big fella.
Stardust,
Where are you?
I feel your distress. Even light-years apart, I feel the way your heart stirs with unease and uncertainty. I’ve waited and hoped for a letter, for a single word, but the portal remains cold and empty.
You must know by now that I would do anything for you.
I should be preparing for war. My cousin is gathering support—more and more each day. The court is fracturing, splitting under the weight of doubt. They say I am distracted. That I’ve allowed the kingdom’s defenses to falter while I obsess over a woman from a forgotten little blue planet.
They’re not wrong.
I am distracted. Because all I can think about is you.
I should be rallying my troops, planning an offensive, or raising our planetary shields in advance of Talion’s return. Instead, I’m sitting here staring at your last letter like a fool. I should be preparing to fire the Celaris Cannon—our most powerful energy weapon—at my cousin’s fleet. Instead, I’ve repurposed it.
The energy signature is strong enough to punch through the atmosphere and open a wormhole big enough for one person.
Me.
It will be a one-way trip. I would leave everything behind—my armies, my birthright, my crown. All to come to you. If I do that, I will certainly lose my kingdom.
But I would have you.
You in my arms. You safe and real and no longer just words on a page or a face in a portrait pressed to my chest beneath my tunic. And stars, Danika, it would be worth it.
You are worth everything. Don’t you see?
Apparently, you cannot. Or will not.
So I am done giving you choices.
