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I can’t look myself in the mirror and be happy with the person who stares back. And neither can Saint. We have to heal our souls.
Saint rubs my back, pressing his lips over my temple. “Take the keys to the van and drive. You keep on driving until you reach that airstrip.”
“This doesn’t make any sense,” I say, a mixed bag of emotion. “All of this was for nothing.”
Saint shakes his head. “No, this was foreverything. The future awaits us now because of this moment.”
A low moan is a silver lining because Pavel isn’t dead. “Go, Willow,” he says, sitting up with a pained grunt. “I will make the call. You’ll be safe.”
“And what about you?” I ask, referring to them all.
“We’ll be okay.”
Leaving Saint doesn’t make sense, and I know that. But in some stories, the princess doesn’t always get her happily ever after. However, when I gently pull out of Saint’s arms and affix my eyes to his, I know that this is my happily ever after…for now.
There are no words to express how to say goodbye to the man you love. But this time, our goodbye was written in the stars. Loving Saint was like wishing upon a shooting star—a fast-moving commotion that burned out before it hit the ground.
Saint steps aside, allowing me to look at Alek, who is still on his knees. The moonlight catches his tears.
“I know that your feelings for me are real.” Alek’s eyes widen at my admission. “Thank you…for protecting me. I’ll forgive you, only if you forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” he says with sincerity. “I will never forget you. You broke my heart, but by the same token…you made me whole. Thank you.”
My heart breaks at his admission. “Goodbye, Aleksei.”
“Goodbye, ???????.” And with this goodbye, he finally lets me go.
I don’t know what his future holds, but he has one, so let’s hope he’s learned from the error of his ways. I don’t know where his mom or brother are, but none of that is my concern anymore. I’ve been given my way out, and that’s all I ever wanted. And I intend to take it.
My attention focuses on Max, who still holds Sara, brushing back her hair. I remember what she told me.
“But once you spread your wings, Willow, I know you won’t look back.”
I can only hope Sara, as well as Ingrid, have spread their wings and are finally free.
Max nods once, a mutual respect passing between us. I know he will ensure Sara gets the burial she deserves. “She died fighting. She died a hero,” I whisper, holding back my tears. “I love you, Sara. Be free.”
Zoey’s body lies where Saint left her under the tree, and even though we never saw eye to eye, she deserves the respect of me saying goodbye. So with a stagger, I make my way to where she is. Her long hair sits neatly around her face as if Saint brushed it and ensured she was as beautiful in death as she was alive. She merely looks asleep. The gunshot wound to the back of her head hides the true horror.
Coming to a painful squat near her side, I stare at the woman who was nothing but brave. Bending down, I lay a gentle kiss to her cold cheek. “For what it’s worth…I love and hate you all in the same breath too. Thank you.”
There are so many things I want to thank her for, but most of all, I want to thank her for finally putting Saint first.
Saint is behind me. I can sense his presence, just like always, and I bask in the feeling because these moments are destined to become a distant memory.
Once I’m done mourning Zoey’s and Sara’s deaths, I stand slowly, but I don’t turn around. I don’t think I can leave him if I do. He wraps his arms around me, drawing my back to his chest. “Someone will look at your leg once you arrive at the airstrip.”
The wound on my leg pales in comparison to the one on my heart.
He slips what I’m guessing are the van keys into my pocket. I know this is supposed to be my freedom, but I can’t help but feel so imprisoned inside.
“Will I ever see you again?”
Silence.
It’s all the answer I need.
Leaning into him, I memorize the contour of his body, the shallow of his breaths. I remember his scent, but most of all, I will remember what it felt like to be loved by him. And that is the only thing that will get me through each day without him.
