Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“I see the way you look at her, Caz.” She steps deeper into the room. “The way you are when she’s around, I’ve never seen you like this with anyone. You’re so fiercely protective of her.”
“She was my responsibility until I sent her back home. I couldn’t just let her die.”
“Oh, don’t feed me that bullshit! I know you, Caz. And I know how you are with women. You don’t treat her like the others.”
“Look, Juniper, you’re filling your mind with these romantic ideas to please yourself. None of what you’re imagining is true.”
“You know, the Caz I know would’ve found a way for her to stay, or at least found a way for her to pay us visits. Why? Because the Caz I know is selfish, and what he wants, he takes.”
“Not the case here,” I sigh, picking up a bloom of my own and sparking it. “She’s not meant for repeated visits to our world. You saw her last night. She almost died from a fucking suppressant.”
“Sure, but you saved her. Who hasn’t almost died here?” She takes a step closer. “Yes, it’s dangerous in Vakeeli, and sure there will be people here who will try to hunt her down, but she’s yours, Caz, and we all see it. She was made for you.” She scoffs, shaking her head. “I mean, seriously, I wish the universe would toss me a man who is my soulmate. If only it were that easy!”
“She couldn’t stay.” The words fall from my lips, but even I don’t believe them. Surely there could’ve been a way, but what would be the point? I saw how fragile she was in the bathroom, how broken and alone she felt, and I feel that every day. Here, it would drive her mad. At least in her world, there are established relationships and people she can rely on who aren’t so…violent, as she puts it.
Juniper sighs, as if annoyed, then turns away to leave the office. Before she’s gone, she stops and says, “She may not be fit for our world, but she’s fit for you, and that should be all that matters.”
She’s gone, and I finally hear those footsteps drifting away. I lean back in my chair, pulling from my bloom, hoping it’ll ease the ache inside me, but it doesn’t. Willow is leaving. She’ll be a world apart, and I’ll be…here. That’s how it’s supposed to be.
Juniper is a hopeless romantic. She wears her heart on her sleeve, hoping someone will see her for who she really is. She’s the soft one, and I suppose that’s why she fits here. She keeps us men practical when all we want is to be impractical...unless she’s triggered. Then she becomes worse than us. But I don’t have time for love. Love is a disadvantage I can’t afford, and Willow is…different. She deserves far better than this world will give her. She deserves better than me.
Fifty-Three
WILLOW
“Did he give you the chant?” Killian asks, stopping in the middle of forest. It’s the same place I’d fallen when I came to Vakeeli. The path looks different this time of day. Light filters through the leaves, not as yellow as the sunlight, but more like a brighter moonlight.
“Yes.” I pull it out of my bra and unfold the paper.
“Right. Go on then.” Killian takes a few steps back, folding his arms.
I look Killian up and down, and ask, “Is there a reason you don’t like me?”
He frowns then blows a breath, clearly annoyed. “It’s not that I don’t like you. You’re just a distraction we can’t have.”
“Excuse me?”
“To Caz, having you here is a distraction.”
“How?”
“Because all he sees is you. He’s blind to everything else.”
“That’s not true.”
Killian raises a brow, pressing his lips.
“He’s sending me away. That’s not true,” I tell him.
He sighs. “Just read your chant and go.”
“Do you know that we’re Tethered?” I ask.
“I’m aware,” he replies dully.
“So, then you know that when I leave, he’ll probably be in pain.”
“He’ll get through it, just like he does everything else.” Killian shifts on his feet. “Pain is what keeps Caz going. Without it, he wouldn’t be Caz.”
“That’s an awful way to live.”
“It’s the life he was destined.” Killian’s eyes flicker to the paper in my hand. “Read the chant.”
I drop my eyes to the paper. Wow. Just four little lines and I’ll be home, back to reality. It’s what I wanted all this time, so why am I struggling to leave right now?
“If you stay, you’ll become his weakness, Willow, and not having any is what keeps him in control here. Do you really want to become his burden? Because that’s what you’ll be. His burden. Think about that.” Killian has dropped his arms and is rubbing a hand over his head. “I love Caz like he’s my own brother and I always want what’s best for him, but for the sake of his sanity and his life, you can’t be here any longer. He knows this. I know this. It’s what’s best, and if you also want the best for him, then go. He’ll be all right.”