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Chapter Twenty-Four
A shaky exhale escaped me,and I unfolded the blanket only to refold it a different way.
Tor’s hand settled on my head, the heat warming my hair and seeping into my skin. I closed my eyes and absorbed the comfort of that simple touch.
“I’m sorry I failed you, June,” he said. “I ran as fast as I could.”
I twisted away from the tote I was packing to look up at him, shock on my face.
“Failed me? You didn’t fail me.” My gaze swept the other fey in our home helping us, and I saw their gazes all reflected the same guilt. “None of you failed me.”
I rose and threw my arms around Tor.
“You tried to help him, Tor. You did everything you could. I know that. I don’t blame you for Adam’s death.”
Tor hugged me close.
“But your heart still hurts.”
I nodded, leaning my forehead against his torso.
“It does. I don’t agree with all the decisions that Adam made, but I know he was trying to take care of me. I think that’s why I hurt. Even though I know he was the only person in control of his decision, a part of me feels like his death was my fault. It’s going to take me some time to accept everything that’s happened.” I lifted my head and looked up at Tor. “I think the best thing I can do right now is focus on moving us to Tenacity. Helping there will be a good distraction from the hurt.”
Tor blinked at me.
“You want distractions?” he asked.
Despite everything, I laughed because I knew right where his thoughts had gone.
“I’m very willing to let you distract me after we’re moved into the new house.”
He looked at his brothers.
“We can carry everything in one trip.”
I rubbed my face against his shirt, drying my tears and hiding my sad smile. I loved Tor so much and knew he would do his best to keep me from dwelling on the past. I also knew he wouldn’t begrudge me the occasional quiet moment so I could reflect.
Tor really was perfect.
He took the face rubbing as the signal I was ready and picked me up. Considering recent events, more fey joined us when they learned we were going to Tenacity. Many of them were from the newly arrived group. They wore sunglasses, no shirts, and leather pants and boots. If not for the ears and grey tint to their skin, any woman with a libido would stop to drool.
They ran with us through the fields and trees, but we didn’t see any other signs of infected.
When we arrived at Tenacity, the soup kitchen line was still going strong, and Matt was nearby to greet us. He encouraged the new fey to stand in line for something to eat then walked with my group as we made our way to the house.
Staying true to how fast news traveled, he’d already heard what happened in Tolerance and extended his condolences.
“Part of me wishes I’d had the chance to tell Adam what we’ve done here,” I said as the fey moved our things in. “He would have been proud, I think.”
“He would have. Then he would have pushed for more,” Matt said.
I smiled slightly. That was exactly Adam. He liked to push for improvement in everything.
“So, what should we do next?” I asked.
During the next several hours, Matt and I worked together at his place. We combed through the list of Tenacity residents and where they were living. He noted the ones who’d gone on supply runs and those he thought had never left the walls. We planned. We brainstormed. We worked together to come up with something that would push Tenacity and its people toward a better future.
Tor and his group were great support, volunteering to help with some of the ideas we wanted to set into motion.
