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“The present he left for you,” Adam repeats. “Did you get it? He left it with your clothes.”
I forgot all about that. He mentioned it to me the night of Celine’s ball, the night that she found out about Ilarion and me. I put him down and get to my feet.
“Come on,” I say, taking his hand. “Let’s go look for it.”
I head down the hall to what used to be my room. It still feels like my room, considering most of my things are still here. I’ve yet to move all my stuff into Ilarion’s—our—room. I’m shuffling clothes aside and seeing nothing, nothing—and then…
There.
An envelope, tucked between a pair of running sneakers. The same ones I wore the night I met Ilarion, actually. The synchronicity sends a chill rippling through me.
I rip the seal and pull out the letter nestled inside. I’m so greedy for Dad’s words that I swallow the entire letter in seconds. By the time I get to the end, I’m shaking.
“Mama, are you okay?”
I smile through my tears. “I’m okay, baby. Grandpa wrote me a beautiful letter.”
“What does it say?”
“It says that he loves us,” I say simply. “Can you do me a favor and go get Auntie Cee?”
I left her in her room half an hour ago. She wanted to sort her things into boxes. Moving Day was three days away and she is nothing if not compulsively organized.
While Adam is gone, I take a deep breath and read the letter again.
Hello, Little Bird—
I’m not sure under what circumstances you’re reading this letter. I hope that I’m the one who’s just handed it to you and you’re reading it and laughing and telling me I’m silly. But I have a feeling that’s unlikely.
I think it’s more likely that I’m no longer there and you’re sad because you think you could have saved me. The truth is, I knew my fate from the moment I decided to enter the Bratva. I made certain decisions and, even then, I knew they were the wrong ones, but I did it anyway. Because I thought I had no choice.
Remember, there arealwayschoices.
Which is why I went to Ilarion and told him what he needed to find Benedict Bellasio. I know that, in doing so, Benedict will come after me. I know that I might not survive whatever comes next. Most importantly, I want you and Celine to know: I’m more than ready to die. I’ve wanted to leave ever since the day I discovered your mother was no longer part of this world.
I’ve lived all these years without her only because I felt that you and Adam still needed me. But I know now that the three of you will be fine without me. Celine is a force to be reckoned with. You are stronger than you know. And Adam is made up of Ilarion’s strength and your kind heart. All three of you will be fine, I’m sure of that.
I can die at ease, knowing that Ilarion will take care of you. And that you girls will take care of each other. Tell Adam that I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to watch him grow. But I stole a few years with him and, for that, I’m grateful. I love you all, my little birds. My little flock.
I’m looking forward to spending the rest of eternity with your mother. She’s waited for me long enough. I know there are sunflowers wherever she is.
Love always,
Dad
“Taylor!” Celine bursts into the room with Adam at her heels. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are wide. “Is everything alright?”
I offer her the letter. “He left this for me the night of your ball.”
She takes it and I watch as her eyes whiz through the letter like mine did. By the time she gets to the end, they’re glistening with tears.
She folds the letter and looks up at me. “So you were right to trust Ilarion.”
“Did you have doubts?”
She smiles. “For a moment. But I meant what I said when I said I would support you no matter what.”
I hug Celine tightly, breathing in her scent. She’s the last remnant of our parents for me. I’m probably the same for her. So holding her feels like holding all of us. The last of the Therons.
