Page 167 of Fate and Flame
“We stay,” she confirmed. “With the only family we’ll ever need.”
Epilogue
Ara
My heart raced as soon as I was finally permitted to look into the mirror. I’d opted for a beautifully printed fabric I’d found one day while going through Efi’s things with Fen. His breath had caught at the memory of her and I’d snuck it away for safekeeping. The cut of the gown was complimentary to the print. With a deep open back and a modest front, I’d never felt sexier. My hair was left to fall round my shoulders but pulled back at the sides. The dark coloring they’d put on my eyes made them striking.
“Wait, I forgot my mother’s necklace,” I told Wren, who stood behind me holding Nadra as they smiled into the reflection.
I stepped into the closet and dug through to find the box I’d given Fen to hide away. I shuffled through our wardrobe until something slid down the wall and clunked to the floor. Something long and wrapped quickly. I reached for it and knew instantly what it was. My father’s sword. And then I thought of the last hands to touch that blade and suddenly the void of her came crashing back to me again. As if I’d just lost her. I couldn’t help the tears that stung my eyes as someone banged on the bedroom door.
“Who is it?” Wren called.
“I need to talk to her,” Inok said. The door opened and his voice became clearer. Demanding. “Alone.”
I tried to push down the feelings of missing Gaea on this important day. She should have been here. Should have been the one to stand beside me. The others left the room and I stepped out to find Inok staring at me, awestruck.
“You look …”
“Divine?” I asked.
“Is that—?”
“Efi’s fabric. Do you think he will mind?”
“He’d be a fool,” he answered.
“Is something wrong?” I took several steps forward and laid my father’s sword onto the bed. I would give it to Fen later.
Inok wrung his hands and looked away. “Greeve is gone. No one has seen him since yesterday morning.”
“Does Fen know?” I asked, rushing for the door.
He ran behind me. “He’s searching the city.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner. I know where he is.”
“But you can’t—”
“Trust me, I can, and I will,” I yelled over my shoulder as I sprinted down the hallway in the nicest gown I’d ever wear.
“Where are you going?” Wren asked as I passed them.
“I’ll be back, I promise.”
I know where he is. I might be late. Wait for me.
Do you want me to come?Fen asked desperately.
No, I hear its bad luck if you see me.
Don’t take no for an answer.
I ran to the rooftop, and Cal was already there waiting. I didn’t even have to tell him. I hiked my dress up and jumped onto his back, urging him off the roof. He dipped low to the ground, as he loved to do, and then soared into the sky. We flew and flew for hours at breakneck speed. The sand turned to grass and then dense trees. Though we’d left early morning, it was already night by the time we’d made it. Cal didn’t pause as we flew straight through the dragon territory within the Western Gap. He landed softly in the snow and waited as I jumped down and ran to the male standing with his back to me staring into The Mists.
“Greeve?”
He didn’t move. I had no idea how long he’d been standing there ready to take his own life.
