Page 78 of Crimson Flames

As if she can sense where my mind has gone, she falls to the ground next to me, kneeling in my face as she cups my cheek.

“I was just trying to get a better view. It’s okay.”

I shake my head at her. “I thought-I…”

“Shh,” she hushes, pulling me into her chest. She is wearing a robe, but it dips down so that my cheek is pressed to her warm skin. When I hear the beat of her heart, I wrap my arms around her and bring her with me as I sit on the ground. Her legs instinctively lock behind my back and her hand runs soothingly in my hair.

“I would never do that to you. No matter how hard it gets. I will never leave you like that.”

A choked breath escapes me as I nod, words unable to form in my mouth.

After a few minutes, I am able to inhale fully and look at her. “What were you doing?”

“The hotel has a fire burning, a small flame right near the entrance. I saw the glow of it when I was looking out and I wanted to see if I could get a better look. I was thinking about Aiden, and it felt like she was calling me.”

My demeanor softens and I gently bring our lips together for a brief kiss. “You scared me.”

“Yes,” she giggles nervously under her breath, “I can see that now.” Her posture relaxes, but her eyes are serious when she says, “I’m sorry for that.”

“It is alright.” I pull her closer, hugging her and appreciating her heat against mine. A small sigh escapes her.

“Do you think she’s watching us right now?”

I nod into her hair before looking up at the sky. “I know it. Our little flame is watching, waiting, lighting the night sky wherever we may be. She shines as bright as a star, just like her mother. I have no doubt we will see her again one day, but there is no need to rush the process.”

She huffs. “I wasn’t rushing it.”

“I know.” Inhaling her scent, I allow my heart to settle in my chest.

“Do you think it will ever stop hurting?”

“No,” I answer immediately. The death of my late wife still hurts. The death of some of my men still hurts. “There is something final about death that will always leave an ache for those you cannot see on the other side.”

She is silent, her hand beginning to rub circles on my back as if to soothe herself as much as me.

“Did you know,” I whisper, “some people prophesied that the reminder of death is what keeps our souls balanced in life?When one of us leaves this earth, it is a nudge for those left tolive.”

Kissing her head, I lean back so that we can both look at the starry night. “In the moments that we celebrate their life, we are realizing ours too could be cut short. That is the blessing and curse of death. It makes us want to live just as much as it makes us yearn to see the other side along with our loved ones.”

One star shines brighter than all the others, twinkling in the darkness as if it is our little girl saying ‘I’m here, and I will see you soon’.

Chapter 28

I’m sitting in a field of wildflowers, not back home, but in a place that feels familiar. The breeze is coming in from the sea, and the scent of salt mingles with the blooms around me.

It is peaceful. The kind of peace I’m sure drugs bring because I could easily become addicted to this feeling. My mind isn’t on edge here, it’s like I’m just existing and that is enough.

The rustle of the brush next to me draws my attention. I look back to find very familiar brown hair and a face full of freckles I would know anywhere.

Enya.

Without thought, I’m standing, running to her before she has the chance to disappear. My arms surround her. When I can feel her warmth beneath me, a sob breaks free from my chest.

She feels the same, smells the same, looks the exact same as the last time we were racing through the fields together.

“Hey, sis,” she says with a mischievous grin. Her hand taps my shoulder before she runs off. “You’re it.”

Her laughter hangs in the air between us as I rush to catch up with her. It can’t be over that quick, it just can’t.

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