Page 182 of This Blood that Bonds Us
“I won’t let you down,” Luke said.
“I know you won’t. And now we’re even.” He smiled and turned to Presley. “Presley . . .”
“Yeah, dude.”
“Try to be less annoying.”
Presley wiped the tears from his cheeks. “I’ll try.”
I laughed, holding my aching chest and leaning into Kimberly for support. Tears rolled down my face as he said his final goodbyes. I never thought I’d cry about William. The man who terrorized me a year ago, saved my life. He saved us all.
“Hey love.” He motioned to Kim. “I have a tiny request for you.”
“Hi,” Kimberly said with a sob but smiled. “I’ll allow it.”
“Plant some flowers for my sister in that big, beautiful garden your lover boy will undoubtedly make for you.”
She nodded, wiping her face with a smile. “What kind did she like?”
“Primrose. She loved yellow.” William’s heartbeat slowed. “Aaron, I know you’ll take good care of her. Have that fuckin’ wedding with the peonies.”
“I will,” I said. “And thank you . . . for everything.” For saving my life. For saving my family.
“And you . . .” Will turned to Zach and reached for his hand.
Zach clenched his jaw as a tear fell. “Fuck me, right?”
Will shook his head with a wide smile. “No. Try to be happy. Whatever the fuck that means. Don’t argue. Just try.”
“I don’t think I know how.”
“You’ll figure it out. You’ve got this lot here to help ya.”
Zach didn’t let go of his hand as Will groaned and moved to look at Thane. His eyelids stayed heavy, but he kept them open.
“Saved the best for last.”
Thane shook his head, and his chest heaved in a soft sob.
“It’s okay, Thane.”
“But I just got you back. And I’m . . . not ready. I know you want to go and you’ll be fine. But I won’t. I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“You’re ready. The Legion needs ya. Without Kilian, they’ll need someone with some sense. I know you won’t be alone. If I thought you would, I’d have found another solution. But I’m tired . . . It’s done.”
Thane nodded. “You’re right. Your and Kilian’s dream is done. She’s dead.”
Once he said the words, I realized it should have been obvious, but I blame it on the blood loss. The queen was finally dead.
“You know what I’m going to ask you . . .”
“I’ll protect them. Forever.”
“You’re gonna do a lot of good shit, Thane. I’m really . . . proud of . . . you.”
William struggled to get the words out. There was a pool of blood surrounding him, and he grew more and more pale.
“I hate this.” Presley said.
