Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Rushing over, she hit me hard in the chest. “I saved you, and this is how I am repaid? How dare you!”
I grinned at her. “You’re not really here. This is only the last of my synapses firing before I die. I have to say, though, my brain can conjure up some great stuff, and you look amazing.”
She crossed her arms. “I was called from the side of my love by the need to come to the halls of the dead. I thought perhaps for my father. I am appalled to find you here.”
“I really missed you,” I said, opening my arms for her.
“No,” she replied, stomping her foot. “You need to return.”
I glanced around. “I don’t know how to do that.”
She exhaled sharply. “You understand I’m very happy to see you, I simply wanted you to be old and wizened like a prune the next time I laid eyes on you.”
“That’s terrible,” I teased her.
Lunging forward, she squeezed me so tight, and I hugged her back as hard as I could, the tears coming fast.
“I love you so much,” I told her.
“I know,” she murmured, leaning back, her hands on my face. “But you can’t live in the past with me. You have to go forward. Ode’s going to have a baby.”
“Yes.”
She wiped my tears away. “You and Varic will have a baby too.”
“You can’t know that.”
“But I do. Ask Keres when you return.”
“If I return,” I reasoned, taking hold of her hand.
“Whyever would you not?”
But I couldn’t say because it was weak, and I always wanted to be strong for her.
“Jason,” she persisted. “Tell me now.”
“I’m so tired all the time.”
She crossed her arms. “That’s because you are always trying to impress others with your strength and stamina. Embrace your humanity and rest.”
I smiled at her.
“Worry less, nap more.”
“I’d rather stay here with you,” I confessed.
She shook her head. “You cannot. Your love waits. You both had lessons to learn. His about taking life for granted, yours about the value of the same.”
“I don’t—what?”
“Listen, should you befriend Carice, I will not think you disloyal. Never that. I know I am beloved. I saw you place my seal and Cassius’s livery collar at the front of the palace so that everyone who walks by gazes upon them. My heart is full.”
I nodded.
“I never hated Carice, only coveted what she stole from me.”
“He is returned to your arms.” I smiled at her.
“And is claimed for all time, yes. There are no secrets anymore.”
I hoped I wasn’t dreaming. I hoped this wasn’t all in my mind. I wanted it to be real.
“I’m really here,” she declared, squeezing my hand, “and I need you to know that even though we were together only a short time, in our way, we were soulmates.”
“Yes,” I choked out, sounding nasally, my voice clogged with tears. “I feel the same.”
We hugged again, tight, and held on a long time.
“Bring more people close to you. You will not lose them.”
“That’s not true. I lost Sibel and Eris.”
“Not lost, much like myself. Just out of sight for a time.”
“Could I…see them?”
She shook her head. “Too soon. They have to rest. We all rest first.”
That made sense. Or didn’t. “I want them to know I love them.”
“They know. Everyone always knows how you feel, and that’s a gift. You never make anyone guess,” she said, taking my hand.
We walked together for a bit to the other side of the patio. When we stopped, I closed my eyes and turned my face into the warm breeze.
“Look at me.”
Opening my eyes, I turned to her. “I don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“That’s ridiculous, you will. That’s life.”
“And when your heart breaks?”
“Hearts heal, Jason. They are made to do so.”
I grunted.
“Also,” she began, letting go of my hand. “You must stop waiting to make your voice heard. You have your own power.”
“You look as radiant as I remember.” I couldn’t help but sigh.
“You’re a sap, and though I love you, the subject will not be changed so easily. You have power, my consort. It is time for you to use it.”
“Yes, Princess Nerilla.”
Deep breath, and then she said, “Now, what did you want to do before you saw me?”
I had to think.
“Why are all men so infuriating? Why do things just flit right out of their minds?”
“It’s a good question,” I teased her.
“Jason,” she scolded me.
“Fine. I wanted to get in the water.”
“Then get in.”
“I’d rather stay here with you.”
“No,” she murmured, “that’s a lie. You’d rather wrap your arms around Varic, breathe him in, and kiss his lips over and over again.”
I did want that.
“Get in the water.”
Starting down the steps, I looked back at her.
“I will visit you in your dreams, and bring others with me, if you don’t cry when you wake. You have to be happy to see us.”