Page 87 of Blue Embers
“Of course,” I said, cupping her face in my hands again. “We can do all of it. Together.”
36
Persephone
. . .
(1 week later)
I stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The water was a vivid orange, reflecting the sunset back into the sky like a mirror. I stared at the beautiful colors, interwoven like fire rising up from the horizon. In my hands I held a metal box. It was small. Too small. I clutched it, telling myself that tears wouldn’t help now, but the thought of my sister being reduced to something that could fit in such a tiny container made my heart clench.
I put on a teal dress. Artemis picked it out years ago and I never wore it for fear of staining the damn thing. Now it seemed fitting to finally put it on. It was a beautiful piece. Too expensive for my taste, but gorgeous. Silk layers made a skirt that rippled in the wind and a beaded top was contoured into a halter that wrapped around my neck. I’d never had an occasion to wear it until the museum opening. Then everything happened. I was excited about it. So much had changed, though, and now I found myself staring at an endless body of water getting ready to throw the dust that was my sister into the breeze.
I heard soft footsteps on the grass behind me and blinked, finally tearing my eyes from the bright orange sky. Beside me, Killian stepped up. He was dressed in a deep-blue suit and a silver vest that fit his tall, lean physique perfectly. How did I end up with him? With a Draak. How did I end up falling in love with him and how did he, a centuries old Blue Breath, fall for me? I felt blessed that I’d found him during a time that I needed him the most. Looking at him, I imagined I wouldn’t have done too well on my own. Not without Artemis.
Killian turned his head toward me, his silvery-blue eyes made warmer in the orange light of sundown. His face was one I couldn’t see myself without anymore. With him there, I felt stronger. More capable. With him, I felt whole. I watched his lips curl up in a gentle, warming manner that made everything seem just a bit easier.
“Thought you could use the company,” he said to me, his voice a welcome sound amongst the whispers of the soft breeze, which seemed just as sad as I was.
“I could,” I nodded. “Is everyone still inside?”
“No,” Killian said. “Everly and Draven are on their way back to their estate in Nytho with Lukan and Keera. They’re going to try and peacefully reason with Baliss and the Order. Malice is still inside finishing any food he can find,” he smiled. “And you,” he said, stepping nearer to me. “Are the only thing on my mind now.”
He paused for a moment, standing so close that his chest was nearly touching my shoulder. I could feel my heart drooping with sorrow inside my chest like a bag of sand sinking to the bottom of a pool.
“You didn’t cry,” Killian said in almost a whisper. “You haven’t cried since we arrived back.”
Still staring at the silver box in my hands, I shook my head and tried to cover the pain with a smile. One I was certain wouldn’t fool anyone, especially Killian.
“No,” I spoke. “I didn’t.”
Killian placed a hand on my shoulder. His warm touch made me quiver and, like I’d suddenly remembered how to show emotion, I closed my eyes and let the tears pool behind my lids.
“You can, you know,” Killian muttered to me. “Pain is what makes you human and that’s what makes you beautiful.”
“I can’t,” I whispered, keeping my eyes closed as a barrier to trap my tears, but it wasn’t working. “She’s gone. I’ve cried already. What good does it do now?”
“Tears aren’t something we shed only once, especially over those we’ve lost.”
Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes, letting the tears fall, and looked down at the box. My heart sank again, just when I was hoping I’d gotten a hold of it. Killian reached over with his other hand and put it under the container, lifting it up higher as if to encourage me to do what I was there to do. I saw my tears drip on the surface of the metal top, splashing across the silver. Sniveling, I slowly used Killian’s support of the box to free one of my hands and remove the lid.
Inside, Artemis’s ashes were contained. They were safe there. Grey. Dull. One of my tears fell in the center of them and it only made me hurt more. Killian moved in, wrapping his arm around me and kissing the side of my head. It took me a while, but once I raised my eyes to the colorful horizon, I felt a slight bit of control seeping into me again. I took another long, deep breath and tossed the ashes out onto the breeze. A cloud of pale grey dust spread into the air and slowly started to drift away. I watched it for a while and then lowered the box to my side, dropping it to the ground by my feet.
The wind took Artemis away, carrying her further and further over the ocean. I felt myself falling apart inside, but as if he sensed it, Killian pulled me toward him and into his strong, nurturing embrace. I pressed my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat against my cheek as the ashes gradually dissipated and dispersed into the sunset. I felt Killian’s hand rest on the back of my head and closed my eyes, coiling my arms tightly around his waist. Gods, if he wasn’t there, I’d have slipped away. I’d have fallen somewhere dark and frightening and I knew it. I knewhewas the reason I was still floating.
After a while, I raised my head to meet his eyes, looking up into his gentle yet fierce, blue gaze. He brushed my cheek with the backs of his fingers, lightly wiping my tears. I truly had no idea what I would do without him at that moment. The thought of being away from him ripped me to shreds inside.
“Thank you,” I muttered to him.
“For what?” Killian said.
“For everything. For being here. Holding me when I’m sinking.”
“No need to thank me for any of it.”
He reached his other hand up, gently placing it on the mark that sat on my waist. The effects of Haera’s sabotage had faded and I could feel Killian again in ways that I never thought I could. He was in my veins. In every breath I took. When his hand touched my mark, I quivered, sensitive. Even with the fabric between us, I felt him vibrate through me.
“You’re mine now. Forever. Let that sink in, love,” he smirked lightly. Gently taking my chin in his fingers, he raised my head to bring my lips closer to his. “I’ll keep you afloat. Make you stronger. Protect you. Love you,” he whispered, leaning in close. “And of course keep you entertained.”
