Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
There are so many possibilities, and I’m feeling optimistic for the first time in a long time, so I finish washing, then step out to clean my face, brush my teeth, then style my hair as best as I can with water. There are gels in Caz’s cabinets, but no oils or sprays. That’s one thing I’ll have to look into while I’m here because I cannot walk around with dry locs.
When I’m done and dressed, I place two ruby earrings from the bag into my earlobes and stare at my reflection.
I look brighter, cheerful.
Wait.
Oh, my goodness. I’m glowing. Is that what this is? Wow. I have to admit, the glow looks good on me. I’ve never properly glowed before.
I leave the bathroom, and for some odd reason I start thinking about Garrett. Is he still in that tomb? Will they send him back to Earth? He’s a loose end that I want to talk to Caz about. Hassha can’t just leave him in a cave. I won’t feel too good about him until I know he’s back on Earth and far away from here.
I brush the thought aside, and the sound of clinking glasses fills my head. I smell bloom and liquor as well as toast and something sweet, like chocolate.
I gather you’re finally awake. Caz’s voice fills the hollows of my mind. The clinking continues, and I also hear a scratchy noise, like pen scribbling on paper. He must be at the tavern.
I smile, shaking my head as I make the bed. Are you gonna listen to everything I do now?
Might as well make use of it. Now tell me why you’re worried about that Garrett fucker.
Oh my gosh, Caz. Seriously? I huff a laugh, making the bed.
I’m just curious. Why not be satisfied with the idea of him rotting?
“I don’t know,” I say out loud with a sigh. “I know he was wrong but…he didn’t ask to be Decius’ vessel. And if he goes back to Earth, he can’t prove any of what happened in Vakeeli. Isn’t there a way they can erase his memory or something? And send him back as less of a piece of shit?”
Hassha would never risk it, but there are alternatives to keeping him quiet.
“Like what?”
Before we left Kessel, Hassha told me to leave his fate up to you. She gave me two options: let him rot in the cave or turn him into a spider and let me crush the shit out of him with my boot.
“What?” I ask aloud. “Turn him into a spider? That’s…so Vakeeli-ish.”
“Well, she was doing the spider thing more so in my favor, so that I’d feel satisfied about it. But she quickly made me realize that it’s not up to me what happens to him. He’s your pain from your past so, ultimately, it’s up to you.”
I sit on the edge of the bed, peering out the window. “Well…I don’t want him dead.” I air the statement because it’s true. As much as I don’t like Garrett anymore and don’t want him having any part of my life, I don’t think he should die. I’m not God. I don’t get to decide who does and doesn’t live.
Of course, you don’t. I don’t think he intends for his words to come out bitter, but they do. Mildly.
“I’m serious, Caz. I know he’s a piece of shit, but killing him won’t sit well with me. I’ll feel guilty about it.” I run a thumbnail over one of my cuticles. “I guess if Hassha doesn’t want him going back to Earth, then…he should rot and die on his own.”
Better than nothing, I suppose.
I laugh. You’re so cruel.
Not cruel. I just don’t believe in second chances when it comes to people like him.
There’s a stretch of silence before I ask, Are you okay today?
Much better, thanks to you.
I smile. Good.
I pause. When will we be able to look for Warren?
Soon, Willow. I promise. I want to get more intel before we make any moves. I have a few things to do today, but I’ll be back by dinner.
Okay.
I love you, Willow Woman.
I love you too, Caspy.
Gonna put my wall up now.
I get up to fluff the pillows. What? You don’t trust me to hear what you’re thinking about while we’re apart?
No, it’s not that at all. He chuckles. Things just tend to get ugly around here. I don’t want to put a damper on your good mood. I sense it, you know. Your happiness.
I bite a smile, putting my focus on the balcony doors. I am happy, actually.
I’m glad to hear it.
I’ll see you tonight, then.
You will. I love you, Willow Woman.
I love you too.
Chapter 67
WILLOW
When I don’t hear anything else, or smell chocolate and whiskey, I stand up again and slide my feet into the sandals beneath the chair where the outfit was placed. I open the door and walk down the hallway, taking the curved staircase down until I’m in the foyer.