Page 82 of Of Flame and Fate

She cups his shoulder. “Why don’t you take a moment?” she suggests carefully. “You could use a break.”

Tye doesn’t move. “Please, listen to Emme,” Destiny says, dragging out each word. “I’m worried about you.”

“She’sworried aboutme,” Tye mumbles.

“Tye, please,” Destiny says, what little energy she has leaving her quickly.

His bruised gaze meets hers, watching her as she returns to asleep. He waits for her to respond, to open her eyes. When she doesn’t, it’s as if the last bit of hope he has vanishes.

“I’ll be outside,” Tye says.

For all Emme’s light seemed to help, it was only temporary. He storms away, angry, and likely hurting more than before.

I should let him be. I don’t of course, not in the condition he’s in. I follow him out through the sliding glass doors. He doesn’t bother shutting it, knowing I’m behind him. I close it using care not to make a sound and watch him as he stomps to the edge of our property.

He stares out in the directions of the thick woods. I take my time to reach him, that horrible feeling of dread following me closely and threatening to permanently engrave itself into my soul.

Tye is enduring so much, his beast is likely going wild. So when I reach him, I don’t dare stand behind him. I stand beside him, crossing my arms and waiting for him to speak.

“Do you want to know how many of the witch elite have come to see their shining star?”

I already know the answer. He doesn’t have to tell me.

“Not a one. You and your sisters are the only ones who visit. Even Celia in those small moments she’s allowed off the damn mountain, this is where she chooses to be, with her. With my girl.”

“We like her,” I say.

He presses his lips, keeping his focus ahead, not that he likely sees anything in front of him. “She likes you, too. Always has.”

I know he means it, and it breaks my heart a little more.

He scoffs, his mind switching to those who haven’t been as nice. “The witches always whispered about her being odd for a Destiny,” he tells me. “I’d hear them, in the other room as a kid when me and Des used to play on the floor with our toys. ‘She’s not a traditional Destiny,’ they’d say, alluding to how the previous ones were so tall and striking. But that didn’t stop them from associating with her. Oh, no, because no matter what she looked like or how she dressed, Des still was the one, the sole witch gifted with power beyond belief.” He turns his chin in my direction. “Something her parents reminded everyone, every chance they got.”

I’ve heard stories of her parents, both heavyweights in the mystical world and oozing with money. Her mother used to model, I think, and her father reigns as one of the most compelling warlocks in existence. I’ve never met them, nor do I want to.

“Have her parents been by?” I ask. I’m not trying to rile him further, but that’s all I manage to do.

“No. They called once,” he says, holding out a finger. “Telling her that she was better than this and a true Destiny wouldn’t be taken so easily. What kind of horseshit is that? They might as well have called her a loser like all those other bitches eluded to her entire life.” He turns his attention back toward the woods. “It’s why she dresses the way she does. She knew she wouldn’t fit in and decided to have a little fun.” His voice fades. “She was always like that, you know. Looking forward instead of paying attention to what was said behind her.”

“She’s a good person, strong,” I smile. “And a freak of nature, but aren’t we all?”

Tye meets me with a frown, only to chuckle at the sight of my smile. It’s a rare feat, being able to laugh even as another piece of you splinters away. I guess that’s why I’ve always liked Tye.

“Yeah, aren’t we all,” he admits.

The sliding glass doors open and Bren charges out, appearing worse for wear. He holds his hand out as we start forward. “It’s fine.” He strips out of his shirt. “But I need a good long run and so do you.” His attention shoots from Tye to me. “Destiny just finished eating and wants a bath. Emme says she needs your help washing her.”

“Sure. No problem.” I pat Tye’s shoulder when he hesitates. “Go with Bren,” I insist. “Destiny could probably use a little girl time.”

I walk away, hoping he doesn’t follow or know why Destiny wants to get cleaned up.

Her time is coming faster than any of us are ready for, and she knows it.

I hurry to the door, whispering the power word that unlocks the wards and keeping my stare forward so Tye can’t catch what I’m thinking in my features.

Holy shit, I don’t want Destiny to die. But I can’t dismiss what I see, or what I feel being around her. It’s like this vat of power, once filled to the brim is slowly being emptied.

As I close the door, Bren’s large wolf form disappears into the woods, a white lion racing behind him.

---