Page 49 of The Bonds of Nyx

At that, I rolled my eyes. “So, it’s about the stolen shirts, then.”

“Those boys have plenty. They won’t miss one—or three.”

Moments like these were what I’d miss between me and my best friend when we finally made it to Avalon.

A bitterness filled my mouth as I considered the changes that will be made to my life and to the lives of everyone I loved. Thea’s family was being uprooted and moved to Avalon. I wanted to be relieved that they were safe, but it was hard to compete with the guilt of knowing they were in danger because of me.

“Uh oh,” Thea sang, pushing up on her elbows. “Someone’s gone to a dark place.”

I sighed, my eyes shuttering closed as I rolled onto my back. “Sorry. I was thinking about everything.”

“If it’s out of your control, leave it alone.” I felt her shift until she was also on her back. “Focus on right now.”

“I think that might be worse,” I replied, picking at a thread in the duvet. “That evac team makes me feel like we’re on a timer now. I have to figure out what to do with Kerry. There’s stillthe whole mating thing with Adrian. And then R—” His name wouldn’t leave my mouth, and I choked on the word.

“He really did a number on you,” Thea muttered. I felt the heat of her stare on the side of my face, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn and meet it.

If I looked into her eyes, I knew what I would see: compassion, sorrow, understanding. Of all the people in my life,sheknew me best. She knew what I was thinking before I did, and I knew her just as well, despite her walls and false bravado.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I finally turned to Thea. “I’m really, really glad you’re here.”

Thea’s smile was soft, her eyes shining. “Yeah, I’m glad, too. I mean, whowouldn’twant to dive headfirst into a crazy world of vampires and witches.”

I snorted a laugh and shook my head. “Most would run away. But not you.”

“All right, enough moping.” She drew herself up into a sitting position and stared down at me. “We should go warn the kids of these newbies. Wouldn’t want one of them getting chewed out by Eloise.”

~

Ginny and Maisie slept beside Kerry as Thea and I sat with Eloise in the second bedroom. With the little ones asleep, I gave her a run down about the evac team and their purpose here, and how if she didn’t want to deal with them, I’d work with Maeve to keep them away.

It was Eloise who brought up letting Kerry go. “She’s probably in pain, and i-it’s not fair,” she stuttered, wrapping her arms around herself. “Mom isn’t going to get better.”

I held her close to my chest and shared a look with Thea. As much as Kerry had pissed us both off, as much as we’d fought against her and had broken away from her veiled insults and petty, back-handed compliments, we still had tears in oureyes as we watched Eloise come to terms with the truth of our mother’s status.

Kerry wasn’t going to make it and keeping her asleep only hurt her more.

I still wasn’t entirely sure how I would tell Ginny and Maisie, but I knew it would be hard. Maisie didn’t fully understand why Kerry wasn’t waking up, and it broke my heart. Ginny was old enough to have some understanding, but even she would be a wreck. I knew Eloise would try to be strong for them. She’d put on a strong front and comfort her sisters for their sakes.

She shouldn’t have to. She should be allowed to grieve openly with them, but she won’t. That just wasn’t who she was.

Eloise wiped her eyes. “I think I have to tell them,” she said, sniffling.

“El, no—”

“It’ll be easier from me.” She whimpered and crossed her arms. “They won’t understand otherwise.”

I pressed my lips into a firm line. “You are not responsible for taking care of them, Eloise. That’s my job. I’m your big sister. You lean on me, okay? You canalwayslean on me.”

She sniffled and met my stare. “You’re not going to leave again?”

My heart shattered. “El, I never meant to leave you guys. I need you to know that. I havealwaysloved you, and when you’re older, I’ll explain it all, but just know—I never left because of you.”

Her blue eyes were sharp and cautious as she searched mine. Fuck, she was growing up too fast. “You promise?”

I nodded and held my pinkie finger out to her. “I promise. You’re stuck with me. Okay? And there are others who will be here for you. Elias already cares about you guys, and he’ll protect you.”

“And Thea?” Eloise turned to my best friend with sad eyes. “I know I haven’t always been the nicest, but you’ll stay too?”

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