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He stands and tucks his finger under my chin, turning my face toward him so he can kiss me gently on the lips. Then the others are there too. My five fated mates, bound to me forever.

For a long time, the six of us kiss, and touch, and whisper all the ways we love each other. When I next look at the sky, the sun is dipping lower over the falls.

It is nearly sunset.

It is nearly time.

40

NOVA

When we let down the shield and leave the falls, Luther allows the fire to go out. The beach falls into a dim half-light. I stare at it for a moment, then look down at the wooden rings on my hand. One for each digit, one for each of my mates. I run the fingers of my right hand over my left.

The others are stoically silent. Pain is already etched on their faces, causing ominous flutters of doubt to settle in my chest every time I look at them. Even Kole, who has perfected the art of being the strong silent type, is rattled.

“You saw it too,” I say quietly as we turn away from the falls and start our journey through the woods.

“I did,” he replies.

“It’s not forever. I’ll come back to you.”

“I know.” Kole brushes his fingers against my elbow. We have left our packs behind—because there is no use for them where we’re going—and yet we’re not holding hands.

A little way behind me, Sam and Tanner are walking beside one another. Mack’s jaw is so tightly clenched, I’m surprised he hasn’t given himself a migraine, and Luther is barely able to speak to me.

He’s not angry anymore. At least, I don’t think he is. He’s always been hard to read, and the fact he’s told me he loves me hasn’t made it any easier.

We walk until it is pitch dark and stars have replaced the clouds and the birds. A sheet of silence has fallen over the woods. Even the breeze has slowed to barely more than a whisper.

I breathe in the scent of the pines and stop when we reach the edge of the woods. We are about to emerge on the road that leads up toward The Hollow. Without looking at the boys, I say calmly, “Wait for me at the falls.”

“Wait for you?” Mack moves into my eyeline. He’s frowning, and his eyes are dark.

“I’m not sure how long it will take me to come back.” I meet his gaze. “But you can’t stay near The Hollow, it’s too dangerous. Wait for me at the falls. I’ll come to you there.”

Mack glances at Kole. My Viking nods in agreement. “We will wait for you at the falls. We won’t leave until you return,” he says.

“You might need to detour for pancake supplies,” I tell him, trying to muster a smile. “It could be a few minutes, a few hours, a few days… I have no idea.”

Kole tries to smile back but seeing his lips curve makes me frown. “I like you better when you’re grumpy,” I tell him, nudging his ribs with my elbow.

“Speak for yourself,” Tanner says, hooking his arm around my waist and squeezing it. “It wouldn’t hurt him to be just a little less grumpy. Just a little.”

For a moment, all six of us laugh. But it’s not normal laughter; it’s nervous, unnatural, and makes my stomach clench with sadness.

Turning to face them, I fold my arms, then unfold them, then fold them again. “It’s time for me to go.” My voice is shakier than I want it to be. “You need to wait here. I can’t put you in danger.”

“No way.” Luther strides forward and grabs my hand, showing me my own fingers. “What we said to you when we gave you these rings… it was a solemn vow, Nova. Not a game. We are yours. You’re ours. And we will not let you do this alone.”

I expect tears to bite at my eyes, but they don’t come. Perhaps I’m stronger than I realized. “I wish you could be with me at the end—all of you—but I can’t risk your lives. I need you here so I can come back to you. If I return and you’re gone—” I shake my head. “We will win this fight together, which means the five of you need to stay safe.”

“I will go.” Kole’s voice is strong and firm. “I will watch from the trees. I’ll stay until the end. I won’t let her out of my sight.”

Luther and I start to object at the same time, but Kole simply clenches his fists at his sides and stares at me until I stop talking.

“I will go with you. The others will wait here.” He meets my eyes. Let me do this for you, Little Star. And let us both do it for them.

Finally, I nod at him. “Alright.”