Page 70 of The Bloodfeather Promise
“It was tangled in my shirt, the one that was bloody and ripped from my fight with Dylan. Snagged on one of the tears. When I found it, I knew it belonged to a special girl, one who kissed me so sweetly and rocked my world but then disappeared the next morning. I put it in Cindi’s guitar case, in a special compartment to keep it safe, and there it stayed this whole time. Every now and then, I would pull it out, admire its beauty, then return it so it could rest with my most valuable possession.”
He strokes my cheek, his eyes wet with moisture. Little sparkling drops are evident on his dark eyelashes. They glisten like diamonds, and his voice is husky as he says, “The guys and I had dinner at The Shayla the night before they left. I saw a photograph of you and your Grandpop on a wall. You are wearing the necklace. It was a lightning bolt to my heart. I knew I could not live the rest of my life holding just a little piece of you. We shared a night I don’t remember all the details of, but you and me, we are meant to be together. There is no other way to explain our paths crossing. I want a second chance at happiness. With you.”
“I want that, too. I missed you so much. More than you know.”
“I do know, Emerson. It’s been a painful hell this past month. Will you give me this second chance? I will walk away, somehow, if you tell me to go. But I hope you won’t.”
“Don’t you dare go anywhere, Greyson Finch,” I sob. “More than my pride, my possessions, more than anything on this earth, I love you.”
Greyson engulfs me in a tight hug, exhaling a breath of relief. After a long moment, he pulls away, but I only let him go so far. My arms stay looped about his neck because I am weak. Overwhelmed with joy.
“Would you like to see the other surprise I have for you?” Greyson grins, happiness lighting his entire face. Seeing my nod, he unbuttons his shirt and pushes the panels aside.
The quill of his feather tattoo is stained red like mine. A trail of scarlet flows from the quill’s end, leading to an inscription above his heart. It’s a single word, but it means everything.
Feather
“You are my bloodfeather, too, Emerson. And I promise to always love you. I will never hurt you again. A bloodfeather promise I won’t ever break.”
“I dreamed we would find each other again,” Tears flow down my cheeks, and my nose is turning even redder than my sunburn. “Do you believe in fate?”
“I do.” He swipes the moisture away from my face, and just before his lips claim mine, Greyson whispers, “More importantly, I believe in us.”
