Page 106 of Malice

“Because she already knows about the world beyond the veil. I didn’t ask about her wife. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He rubs his forehead. “It’s still good.”

“Farnsworth wanted to make sure you really understand what you’re getting into. He told me that bad things happening are rare, so actually we’d probably be together longer than our minds can even imagine. Choosing to separate is painful. I think we should take it literally that our souls are bonded. Inseparable.”

Hudson nods, searching my eyes. “Isn’t that beautiful? It’s what everyone wants when they finally find love, right? We promise each other forever, but we can’t deliver it, not really. But you can. You can promise me forever, Aster. You can promise me you’ll never leave. You won’t die and leave me here alone. What could be better than that?”

The emotions I’ve been holding in finally bubble over and I throw myself into his arms as I choke on a sob. Hudson wraps his arms around me, wrapping me in his warmth and love.

“I thought I was gonna be alone,” I manage to say. “It doesn’t seem real that I get to have a man like you love me.”

“I feel the same way.”

I pull back so I can see his face. “We’re gonna be so happy. I know it.”

He cups my face. “I do too. I’m okay with eternity if you are.”

“Yeah. Call Jocelyn when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready.”

Chapter 35

Hudson

My leg shakes as I wait with Jocelyn for Aster to summon Farnsworth. We chose a spot in the backyard under my favorite tree. Aster stands beside me, holding Otto and giving him head scritches. His smile is warm and loving. Unsurprisingly, Joss had no trouble accepting what I told her was going to happen. In fact, she smothered Aster in hugs and cheek kisses for saving me.

Crash appears, making Otto go crazy with excitement. Crash’s face lights up, and as he gazes at me, I smile too.

“You’re more than welcome in our home, Crash.”

“Thank you, Hudson. I won’t be a bother. I promise.”

“I’m not worried about it.”

It was honestly a no-brainer to allow Crash to stay, and this weekend we’re going to move Aster’s things in too. Weird that so much death led me to the life of my dreams.

A purple mist appears in the center of the yard and a man dressed in a tailored dark gray suit appears. His dark hair is slicked back like Frank Sinatra, and honestly, he could blend right in with the Rat Pack.

His hazy gray eyes roam across Crash, me, Joss, Otto, and finally, Aster. There’s nothing alive about those eyes. “Are we all ready?” he asks.

“Yes,” Aster says. “This is Hudson and his sister, Jocelyn.”

The man bows his head slightly. “Farnsworth Renard, Senior Afterlife Guide and Soul Chaser Administrator.”

Jocelyn stares at him with a dopey smile on her face. “Are you a… You’re a spirit guide?”

Farnsworth’s brow creases. “Yes. You can detect my nature?”

She nods. “Yes.” Her smile fades. “But you’re attached to many. It’s a lot of responsibility.”

“That’s enough,” Farnsworth says, but his tone is soft and respectful. “You have many gifts. Don’t do anything stupid, huh? I’ll expect your presence in my realm when your time comes.”

Her breath hitches as she nods. “I won’t.”

Farnsworth clears his throat and turns toward me and Aster. He flicks his wrist and a scroll appears in his hand along with a small vial. There’s a tattered brown tag attached to the vial, with mine and Aster’s names scrawled across it.

“Crash, please stand beside Aster. Jocelyn, you may stand beside your brother.”

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