Page 105 of Whispers of the Water

Turning back to Akira, I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. He hugged me close and leapt into the air. My stomach dropped at the speed of our descension, but, thankfully, my feet were back on the ground in seconds.

“I think that was even scarier than going up,” I said breathlessly. “Are you guys going to be okay here? You know, in the same house as a bunch of Fae you just sided against?”

“Are you kidding? Your life got uprooted and you’re worried about us? We’ll be fine. They can’t do anything to us when we’re together. Plus, we’re all leaving today, too. No point in sticking around, making nice with them when the fox’s out of the bag.”

“Good idea.”

Footsteps headed in our direction as Rune made his way across the yard, my suitcase still in hand, and the rest of our friends followed him.

“Did you pass any raging family members on your way out?” Akira asked.

Rune smirked. “Of course. Do I care? Not a bit.” He met my eyes. “Ready?”

“Almost,” I said before taking a moment to hug all my friends and the twins.

Saying goodbye sucked, but I knew I’d see them all again soon. We were a team now. This was just the beginning of our journey, and I was confident that with everyone here, we could make a better, beautiful world.

Rune and I watched everyone retreat back to the mansion for a moment before making our way to the desolate road in front of the house. Dallas and the others were supposedly parked half a mile away so as not to be near their enemy.

We were going to have to work on their trust of Land Fae.

“Are you sure you guys don’t want to drive back with us?” I asked Rune, throwing him a nervous glance.

Rune placed a reassuring kiss on the top of my head. “We’ll be fine. We can take care of ourselves. We’ll meet back up later. I promise. I just need to sort some things out.”

I pushed out my lip in a pout, hating the idea of leaving him and the rest of our friends here with a household of murderous Fae. Though I also knew Rune was right. He could handle himself.

“You know,” Rune started, grabbing my hand. “What you said back there about wanting to finish school and go to Italy … it does matter. And those are things you can still have and do.”

I looked up at him, trying not to latch onto his words. “Who knows when or if I can have those things. It’s better to not think about them. Not when so many people are counting on me.”

“I know this is still new, and yes, the beginning is going to be full of struggle and challenges, but you’re still an individual, Bria. You’re still allowed to want things. You’re still your own person.”

I swallowed hard and looked down at the rough asphalt. “I’m not so sure.”

He stopped and grabbed me, forcing me to meet his intense gaze. “All of this crap aside, do you still want to be a painter?”

“Of course, but—”

“Then you’re going to be a painter, which starts with Italy. You’re going to Italy one day. I’ll take you there myself. It may not be by spring. It may not even be by next year. But you’ll go. I promise.”

I took a deep breath and swallowed the ache building in my chest. Forcing a smile, I said, “Let’s focus on ending the war between our kinds. We can dream another day.”

Rune stayed quiet as I pulled him along again, for which I was thankful. I wasn’t as convinced as he was that I’d get the chance to do the things I wanted. I didn’t regret accepting my new role, but I hurt for the one that was being left behind. From the sound of it, I’d be consumed by training and learning how to be Water Fae, how to be a Queen, and how to bring resolution to the century’s long war. Then I’d have to actually do those things, and if I managed to complete the task—bringing peace—my job wouldn’t be done. I’d have to maintain that civility, and I’d possibly still have to be present to continue leading and guiding Water Fae. So, while I desperately wanted to believe that I could still be a painter someday, my gut told me that was no longer in the cards for me, which meant it was best to move on and not dwell on the dream that couldn’t be.

We’d walked far enough along the road that I could now see a group of cars. Dallas’s red hair stood out, even from this distance, and I could tell she was looking our way.

Turning back to Rune, I tried to put on a brave face. “Okay. I’ll be fine from here. You should probably get back to the house in case all hell breaks loose.”

He glanced over my shoulder to the waiting party before meeting my eyes once more. He held my gaze for a few endless beats. I knew what he was thinking, because I was, too. We’d been together every day for months, so separating was going to feel strange, like when you forgot something important at home and kept going to grab for it, only to find it’s not there.

Getting onto my tiptoes, I pressed my lips to his. His strong arms circled my lower back as he pulled me against him. We kissed as though we were starved for air, and the other was our oxygen. His hand slid into my hair, tugging me closer despite there being no room between us. My hands gripped the back of his neck as his tongue swept past my lips. I wanted to melt into him, feel his heart beat in tandem with my own, and feel his skin on mine.

We pulled back slightly, our foreheads pressed together. My breathing came out ragged as I closed my eyes to soak up this moment with him. Gently brushing my fingers across his lips, I memorized the smooth touch of his mouth and focused on the beating of his racing heart as it pounded against my chest. I inhaled deeply, getting drunk on his scent.

“If you need anything, just call, okay?”

I nodded. “I will. I’ll see you soon.”

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