Page 163 of Artemysia
Unafraid to love. Unafraid, because I already lived out my worst fear. To fully surrender to the fear of love and attachment is…freeing, and I’ve let down the barriers I erected to protect myself.
Have I made a difference in the world?
Yes, I think I have.
And I’ll continue to do so in my own unique, messy way.
I can be strong and have deep emotions. I can doubt myself and panic and cry inside, but I can still believe in myself, because in the end—
I care.
I love.
I trust my heart.
And that’s all that matters.
I will return with Riev to Artemysia.
Into the forest, with my Syf prince.
“Elphie, you’re the sun in my endless winter. The moonlight on my darkest night. The stars that show me the way when I’m lost.” - Riev
“Myfather wants to meet you,” Delphine says casually, one month later. She’s naked, reclined in my arms in her small bed at the Academy in Stargazer. We have been taking turns visiting each other as she transitions to her new role and prepares to move permanently to Artemysia.
I freeze on the spot.
“Why the pinched-up face?” she asks, glancing up.
“He’s not going to like me.”
“He already likes you.”
“Why? No one does at first. I’m a ‘once you get to know me, I’m loveable’ kind of guy. What’s my strategy for winning him over?”
She laughs. “Talk to him about elk. He also liked the chocolates Ivy sent back with me last time.”
“Were you unfortunate enough to try the duck jerky Ivy dipped in strawberry chocolate?” I suppress a gag atthe memory.
“Vile,” Delphine replies. “But I told my father that I love you, and he’s thrilled to finally hear me admit that about someone.”
My still-healing heart twinges. “You told him that?”
“Of course. But he has a few questions for you.”
“Then I’ll muster up the courage to meet him. Meeting parents isn’t something I’ve ever done before.”
“He’ll be at the Ghost Elk Tavern in an hour.”
“Does he want to know how much I love you?”
“No. But I want to know,” she replies, a playful smirk spreading across her face. Her hand slides up my bare thigh, tickling the small hairs there. Her fingertips move higher, making it difficult to think of any words at all.
She looks at me expectantly.
“Elphie, you’re the sun in my endless winter. The moonlight on my darkest night. The stars that show me the way when I’m lost.”
“Keep going…”
