Page 111 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“You were never sick.” I looked her over. She frowned and shook her head no.

“You needed a reason to leave and find a way to break the curse. I really did think I was, until Cassius saved us. I realized it was one of the memories that was twisted to make sense of everything.”

“I’m sorry I was such a stubborn shit,” I laughed softly as I cried.

Sybil laughed too and hugged me again.

“It was an honor to have known you, to call you a friend, family.” She smiled. “You will do great things, Thea. Make sure you give Cassius a hug for me and keep that boy in line. He loves you so much, so I don’t worry about you. He will take care of you with everything he has.”

“I know. I love you, Sybil. I’ll make my father and Jesper pay.” I promised.

She squeezed my hand once more before stepping backward towards Ardella and disappearing.

When I turned to Kaz and Lyra, she was sobbing into his chest as he cried. A moment later he kissed her and grabbed her hand, walking over to where I stood.

“Thank you for letting me say goodbye to Lyra." His eyes found mine, and I nodded. He stepped forward and hugged me tightly. “Give them hell, Thea.” Kaz smiled and gave me a kiss on the head like a big brother. He squeezedme in another hug, like he couldn’t help himself. “And live for all of us.”

“I promise.”

He turned to Lyra, who shook her head and begged him not to go.

“I love you.” He smiled at her as he wiped the tear from her cheek.

“I love you too.” She cried.

He kissed her again and stepped away from her.

“Please, take me with you,” she begged Ardella. “I do not want to be without him.”

“Lyra, no.” Kaz frowned. “You have a long life ahead of you.”

“It means nothing without you!” Her voice was unwavering. “I have lived eight years alone, and I do not want to spend another without you. I want to go to the next life with you. Please, Kaz, you are my mate. Life doesn’t feel good without you.”

Mate. I didn’t know they were mated.

Kaz cried silently as she broke apart in front of him.

“If you wish to go with him, I will take you,” Ardella said.

“Lyra…” Kaz whispered, but she stood and hugged him tightly, kissinghim.

“I’m going.” She smiled. Lyra turned to me and bowed before hugging me. “I am sorry, Thea, but I cannot live without him.”

I nodded because I understood.

“I hope our souls cross paths again.” I smiled at them.

Lyra grabbed Kaz’s hand, and they walked forward together, disappearing.

Della frowned at me.

“I am sorry that I didn’t tell you.” She looked so guilty, but I understood. I wouldn’t have fought so hard to leave.

“I’m not angry with you; I’m angry at my father.”

She smiled at me before she disappeared. I stood alone in Exile, and it felt so wrong. All my memories of my time here played in my mind, and they only fueled my rage and hatred for my father and Jesper. I hated them with everything I possessed.

I walked to mine and Sybil’s home and sat at the table I made us. It was heart-wrenching to know what my own father did to my family. How could he be so cruel? Loud, heartbreaking sobs escaped me as all the memories from Exile crashed around me. I would have spent more time with them. I would have told them how much they meant to me every day if I had known that my time with them was limited. Glancing around the small home I shared with Sybil, I could picture her making bread.

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