Page 175 of The Last One
Jadon and I both pause and squint at each other, frustrated and almost amused. “For fuck’s sake,” I whisper.
“I can’t believe this.” He tightens his hold around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder and shouts, “I’m here.”
“Apologies,” Separi says, “but I must speak with you immediately. It won’t take long.”
I chuckle and push out a breath. “Can’t the Lady get what she wants?”
He gently bites my earlobe. “You will.”
“I must.”
He nuzzles my neck. “I’ll be back.” One more kiss, one more squeeze, and he’s off the bed and pulling on his clothes.
Still burning, I hold his gaze until the bedroom door separates us.
Growing faint, I release a pent-up breath and slip back into the sheets. Eyes closed, I will him to come back to me…
Light tapping pulls me from sleep and intrudes on my dreams.
I turn over in bed, reaching out instinctively for Jadon but—
Cold sheets.
Where is he?
My limbs feel so weak, but all of me feels so…full.
Because Jadon wants to stay by my side and trek to Mount Devour.
That tapping…
My gaze slips over to the window.
Several moths are bumping against the glass.
Relief floods through me, and I smile, seeing my winged friends again. I saw too many dead ones on the trek here, and I’m comforted to see so many—
I gasp and sit up abruptly in bed.
Moths!Does this mean my amulet is near? With a surge of adrenaline, I push open the window, and cold air rushes in, carrying with it the moths. Something faint stirs within me.
That rhythmic pulse. Is that pulse my pendant?
The moths dance around me, and I’m tingling and numb. I hold still and listen for my amulet. It’s calling out to me as these moths swirl and twirl around my head.
My lungs fill with excitement, and my heart flickers with hope.
I’m so close.
Where is Jadon? If only he were here to witness this. To know that weareso close. To watch and delight in this kaleidoscope.
I press my cheeks and let myself smile as I imagine his eyes lighting up with joy. I’m going to be better. It’s all going to be better. As I rise from the bed, a wave of joyful dizziness washes over me, and I drop back onto the mattress. My knees are delightfully weak. I punch my thighs a few times, coaxing the blood back into circulation, relishing the tingling that now rushes through my limbs.
If only Veril were here to share this moment. I pause, wistful as I picture the Renrian’s face. His absence brings to focus the challenges we’ve faced, the mission I’ve yet to complete.
The sky is lightening. An early breakfast—such a simple pleasure—would fuel me for the tasks ahead. After breakfast, we’ll search the area for more moths, and if needed, we’ll head to Weeton, retrieve my amulet, and then hurry on to the sea and Mount Devour. And once our journey is over, once I am whole, Jadon and I will return to this inn, to this intimacy and bed…to this mirror. We won’t answer any knocks, nor will we open the door. We will not leave this room or each other. We will be selfish.
I dress quickly, pulling on my breeches, bandeau, vest, and each piece of luclite armor. My hair feels healthy, sparkling with loving care and strands of precious magical metal. With Fury and Warruin secured in my back sheath and Little Lava at my ankle, I grab my satchel and head out, taking a last meditative look at this most special place in the realm.
