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“But you’ve given everything to find your parents.”
“Well, now I know where they are. Antonio, I need to stop living for the past and start living for today. And today I would have used my wish to reviveyou.”The look in her eyes, a look that burned with wild passion, was proof enough that she meant every word.
“I would have too.” Without question. Because he loved her so damned much, and it was about time he told her.
“I already know you love me.” Her roguish grin had his body stiffening.
“Do you, now?”
“Without a doubt.” Despite being shrouded in darkness, stars seemed to dance in her eyes, as they did every time she gazed at the night sky. “I love you too, in case you were wondering.”
He couldn’t help it, he began to laugh, his earlier worries washing away.
Against her lips, he whispered, “Extraordinary fey,” and gave that extraordinary fey a kiss.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Sophia Brenning
Several days later, Sophia walked through the ruins of the village she once called home. Overgrown weeds twined through decrepit structures, concealing the village within its greenery. It was as if mother earth was trying to hide the ugliness of Trim’s final days by wrapping her long arms around all that stood, holding everything in her loving, eternal embrace. A thank you to a village that gave so much love until its final days.
Returning to Trim was something Sophia felt she needed to do, though she couldn’t have done it alone. So Antonio, Cauladra, and Conall trailed behind her, giving her the space she needed, but nearby should she need someone.
Sophia held her breath as she neared the cottage she grew up in, preparing for the worst.
But when the cottage came into view, she realized she didn’t have to prepare herself at all.
Her home looked like a beacon against the wreckage of Trim. The garden her mother had spent so much time tending to was not only alive, but it had grown significantly,wildly.Flowers bloomed everywhere, both around and within the cottage, bursting through every crack in its walls.Somehow, this cottage rose from the ashes of something terrible and became better because of it.
Oh, how her mother would have loved to see what her garden had become.
Smiling, Sophia dropped to her knees and dug into her pockets, looking for the gift she carried. A gift to her home and her family - a thank you and a goodbye for the wonderful life they had given her.
Conall coughed somewhere behind her, reminding her that she wasn’t alone, and she was so grateful for that. Since the day in Circe’s fortress, Sophia had been thankful for the friends that surrounded her, and she would continue to be thankful for them.
For Antonio.
The last several days, she and Antonio had been jumping from Elaron to his home in Pennsylvania. His clan had welcomed her with open arms, and Valaris had welcomed him just the same. They gave little thought to The Elaron Games and had no desire to watch the tournament’s conclusion. They heard some demon won, but didn’t know much beyond that, didn’t care enough to know much beyond that.
Sophia hadn’t seen Casper or Maya since the day they left Alaska. She wasn’t surprised. Maya had little reason to stick around and Casper generally didn’t, anyway. Only now, Sophia understood why. Her heart hurt for him, but she knew no one could convince him to walk away from the woman he loved. Hell, if it was Antonio, no one could convince her to walk away either.
At least now she had enough courage to walk away from something else, which was why this goodbye was so important to her. She needed this moment.
Sophia dug out a patch of dirt and planted the sunflower seeds she held in her hand, though it didn’t look like this cottage needed her loving touch. It seemed this cottage loved itself just fine the last few decades.
Regardless, Sophia planted those seeds. “You’ll always be in my thoughts,” she said as she patted a hand against the dirt.“But I’ll think about myself now too.” Forty years ago, she alone survived. She alone was given the opportunity to live. It was about time she started. Her parents wouldn’t want her to do anything less. “I promise.”
Sophia came to a stand, wiping the dirt off her jeans.
As if he could read her mind, sensing she no longer wanted to be alone, two large hands rubbed her arms. “How are you doing?” Antonio asked, his lips brushing across the back of her next.
“Better than I thought.”
She looked at the cottage a moment more before looking away, her eyes finding Antonio’s. His grin was soft and understanding. “I’m proud of you, do you know that?”
“Only when you remind me.” She flashed him a playful smile.
From behind Antonio, Conall called out, “Where to now?”
