Woven together.
Something about those words sticks in my brain, but now is no time to think. I need to be present for Day.
Woven together…
A memory sounds in my mind, a voice of darkness and despair:Everything in our world is woven together with life and spirit. You only need pull back the veil from your mind to see the threads.
“To bind one’s life to another,” I murmur, and then I sit up.
My mother bound Papa’s life to Castletree.Pull back the veil.My mother’s already done that, and now I can see the threads around me.
I turn to her. I haven’t even gotten a chance to look at her. Facets of Wrenley are visible on her face. Parts of myself too, I suppose. The same brown eyes. She’s staring at me with sadness but also curiosity.
“Hi, Mom. Nice to meet you,” I say. “Can you teach me something?”
62
Dayton
An endless sea and a milky pink sun wavering on the horizon.It’s beautiful but a little sad.
I’m out here all alone.
There’s a drop coming soon. I can feel it more than I can see it. Perhaps there will be others awaiting me: Decimus and Damocles, my fathers, and my mother. Buttheywon’t be there.
My mates.
Hopefully, they won’t be with me for a long time. A shame. I wish I could float here a little longer, but I don’t think that’s a choice.
I’ll really miss them.
The horizon creeps ever closer.
Two stars blaze in my vision to the right of the sun, then fall. Tethers of golden light streak past me into the water. One feels of fire, the other of life. I know it’s my choice to hold on, to grasp this.
If I do, I might not be carried away by this peaceful current.
And I am at peace. The lure of the horizon draws me.
But…
I’ve never been one for good ideas.
Peace can wait.
I reach out and grab hold.
63
Rosalina
“Ican feel him. He accepts it!” I cry out.
“Careful, Rosalina,” my mother warns, hand hovering over my shoulder. “If you lose hold for even a second, it will all unravel.”
“I won’t let go,” I say, determination coursing through me.
I sit poised above Dayton, Farron across from me, eyes closed, as still as he can be, body and soul surrendered to me. To us.
