Page 52 of Until the Heart Stops
“If there are those of you who wish to air your grievances about what has come to pass tonight, I will hear them,” Eamon said a little louder. “I do not begrudge you your anger if your maker or sibling has been slain. The funerary rites will be completed and their ashes will be spread. Regardless of their crimes, I will not force the souls of those who perished here to remain on this plane.”
Lilith looked at me, the question in the bond.
Our souls are only released from this world once our ashes have been spread in the wind.
She nodded. Around us others were nodding and continuing to speak amongst themselves, but no one looked angry or grieved. In fact, there was a palpable sense of relief amongst the group.
Lilith and I helped each other to our feet. Mateo came forward, checking both of us over in the same way he’d done since I’d first been made and sent out on my maker’s treacherous errands. Without letting go of Lilith, I leaned forward to press my brow to his. He sighed, touching my cheek before withdrawing and turning to Lilith. “You fought well.”
She gave him a small smile. “Noah trained Adrienne and me to fight.”
His brows ticked up in surprise. “You know, I thought you fought a bit like a Vyenur.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that.”
A little pang slipped through our connection. I rubbed my thumb soothingly across her hip.
“And you are well?” Mateo asked her.
Lilith nodded. “The first death went quickly after Seth’s blood. Now it’s just a matter of time.”
He hummed, casting a glance at the immortal in question, who was speaking with a few vampires while Eamonmade his way through the rest of the group, pausing with whoever wished to converse.
“Dawn is coming,” I said. “And we should check on Gabrielle.”
Mateo gave a noise of assent. Seth looked over the shoulders of the vampires he spoke with, nodding at us in acknowledgment. But when we made it to the door, Eamon paused his conversation.
“Are you three all right?”
“We are,” Mateo answered for us out of habit.
Eamon nodded, looking us over as my older brother had, before his attention rested on me. He closed the distance between us and I dipped my head as he brushed his lips across my brow. “I know you will carry this night with you, but allow your family to help you shoulder the load.”
Your family.
“I will, Uncle.”
He patted my cheek before leaning over to kiss Lilith’s brow. “I will see you all tomorrow night.”
We made our way back to our rooms, pausing to check in on Henry and Gabrielle. When it was clear no progress had been made, Lilith and I left Mateo with them.
“Are you worried?” Lilith asked as I undid the laces of her bodice.
My sigh swirled the tendrils of hair that had loosened from the twist at her nape. “There’s no saying what he did to Gabrielle.”
None of us had spoken our maker’s name since he was destroyed. I felt as if to say it, even in my mind, might raise him from the grave.
“Arms up,” I breathed.
She complied, allowing me to pull the bodice of her gown off before unhooking her skirts. We did not speakagain until we were settled in the coffin, tangled in each other’s embrace.
“This will be our last night here,” I said.
Lilith’s body was already heavy with daytime paralysis. “Where will we go?”
I tilted her head up to me, brushing my mouth across hers.
“Home.”
