Page 34 of Gathered Sparkle

He never could.

“There is no fucking way anybody could keep you two apart.”

“I normally just know because Glitter is… glittery.”

Fuck.

Ace goes pale like a ghost. “No, that can’t be…”

“It’s me,” I say again, tears welling in my eyes. I take a step forward, but the movement only makes him flinch, his whole body going rigid.

“No.” He shakes his head, his voice rising, filled with anguish. “No, you can’t be…” He takes a stumbling step back as if he can’t bear to be near me. “You’re supposed to be dead. You’re—” He breaks off, and he looks at Koen. “What is this? Some kind of fucking joke?”

Koen’s face is tight, his gaze flicking between the two of us. “I have no idea what you’re even talking about.”

“Good to know I’m not the only one who has no idea what the fuck is going on right now,” Nicholas mutters from somewhere behind me.

“Ace,” I take a step closer to him. “Two seconds is all a mentalist needs to read someone’s soul.Read me, Ace. I’mme.”

“No,” Alaric whispers, shaking his head. “No, it’s not. She’s…you’resupposed to be gone,” he says, almost to himself. “I… I killed you.”

“You didn’t kill me,” I choke out, stepping forward, reaching for him, desperate to touch him, to reassure him that I’m here, alive, and feel that he is too. “Ace, please…”

But he flinches again, recoiling as if my touch would burn him. “Stay away from me,” he snaps hoarsely. “Don’t… don’t come near me.”

My heart splinters at his words. “I thought you were dead,” I whisper. “They told me you were dead. I mourned you every single day. I… I thought it was my fault. I thought I killed you both. Ace…” I want to take another step toward him, but Sylus’s hands are still on my hips, trying to steady me. I shake him off. I need to feelhim. I need to know that this isn’t some sick trick of my imagination.

My hands find Ace’s shoulders, and I pull him into me, my arms wrapping around him, my face burying into the crook of his neck. He still smells the same, like burned wood, with earthy dark patchouli.

Likemine.

My heart pounds against my ribs as I hold onto him, like if I just hold tight enough, I can make everything right.

“Ace,” I whisper, and then the sobs come uncontrollably, tearing through me. I cry into his neck, his warmth grounding me, and for a few fleeting seconds, I’m home again.

But something is wrong. He’s not holding me. His arms are hanging at his sides, and his body—it’s stiff, rigid, like he’s frozen. I don’t even realize how bad it is until his hands come up, shoving me away.

“Don’t touch me,” he snaps, trembling. The look in his eyes is a dagger straight to my heart. I read his panic, the way his eyes dart around the room like he’s looking for an escape. “Don’t… just don’t.”

“Ace—” I start, but he cuts me off.

“You… you’re supposed to be dead,” he repeats as he stumbles backward. “I was in jail because I killed you. You can’t be real. You’re not real.”

He was in jail?

Because of me?

Fuck.

“I’m here. I swear, I’m here. I’m so sor—”

“No!” His shout is raw, filled with so much pain it cuts right through me. He turns, pushes past Koen, and disappears without another word.

“Ace!” I try to call after him, but he’s already sprinting up the stairs. Then, a door slams shut, and the sound reverberates through my chest, splintering whatever was left of my heart.

“No.” I crumble, my legs giving out beneath me, but Sylus is there to catch me before I hit the floor. “No,no…”

“Shh, Sparkle.” He pulls me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me, holding me tightly. “I’ve got you. You’re okay.”

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