Page 58 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
The bird’s feathers ruffled, but nothing happened.Evena wishing star couldn’t undo a deal withDeath.Aurorastraightened the bird’s feathers. “Iwish for something that could make this night easier.”Aurorablew on the bird.Stardustfilled the room, raining down on them.
Thane smiled, moving closer, his lips hovering above hers. “Youdidn’t have to wish that.”
She leaned into his kiss, feeling the featherlight touch of the stardust as it fell.Inthis moment nothing could touch them.NotDeath, notThane’sanger, just her wish.Shememorized the way his mouth felt on hers.Thelightness that filled her body.Hislove would get her through the night.Asthe last of the stardust fell, she pulled away, trying to hold on to the moment a little longer.
“If you wanted me to kiss you, you just needed to ask.Don’twaste a wish on something that is already yours.”
“You’ve been too angry with me,”Aurorawhispered.Itwas more than a kiss she wished for.Shewanted a moment to feel nothing but his love.Somany times in these past three days, she had wanted to go to him.Tofeel his warmth, his love.Buthis anger had been too bitter for her to bear.
Thane pressed his forehead to hers. “Notat you, at myself.Ishould’ve done better.Ishould have protected you.”Hepulled away and kissed her forehead.
She loved the way the stardust clung to his lashes and his dark hair.Hisperfect mouth was golden.Herprints were all over him.
“What are you smiling about?”Thaneasked.
She traced her finger through the dust that kissed the sharp angles of his face. “Ilove the way you look right now.”
Thane ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “AndIyou.IfIdidn’t need to deal with my father,Iwould take you right in this stardust.Andwhen this is over,Ishall.”
“Promise.”Themoon was setting inManere, which meant it would be rising over the mortal lands.Theywould have to leave, both to collect the souls his father demanded be collected.
“I promise.”Thanewinked, adjusting himself. “Iwill sendCadelwith you.Hehas done this enough that he’ll know what to do.”
Aurora picked up the list now covered in stardust. “WillIsee you in the mortal realm?”
“No.Myfather hasaskedthatIjoin him at a council meeting.”Thanebrushed the stardust from his shoulders. “Youmust collect the souls before the sun rises in the mortal world.Therewill not be enough time for you to travel back here to deliver each soul, so you’ll have to carry all three.Collectthem in order.Thelast one is always the worst.”
Again she nodded, trying to remember all he had said. “HowwillIfind them?”
“They will call to you.Themoment their bargain is due, their soul will call.Getin and out as quick as possible.Don’tthink about what you are doing.Don’ttalk to them.Justtake the soul and leave.”
“Right, don’t talk to… gods below, what is that?”Shewas filled with a need that felt as if it was trying to claw its way up her throat. “I’mgoing to be sick.”
“No, you won’t be.Cadel.”Thanereached for her as he called for the dead man. “Justbreathe through it.”
Aurora had never felt this way.Herclothes felt too tight.Herstomach sat at the base of her throat. “Makeit stop,Thane.”
“I will.Dammit,Cadel,”Thaneyelled. “Youneed to breathe,Aurora.”
“I can’t.Whycan’tI?”Sheclawed at her throat.Theneed to find and take the souls clogged her breath and made her vision swim.
Cadel appeared in the room. “Youcalled?”
“Take her now.”ThanethrustAuroraintoCadel’sarms. “Gether to the mortal world.”
“Gods.”Cadelwrapped his arms aroundAuroraand pulled her into the emptiness of theBetween.
CHAPTER28
AURORA
“Gods above.”Aurorabent over, gasping for air as the mortal realm formed around them.Theneed had lessened, but the fear of what came next had not.Shestood, getting her bearings.Acool breeze skated over her bare arms.Shewas still dressed for the warmth ofManereand like a god.Herpale gray gown shimmered and still held bits of stardust. “Imay be a little overdressed for this.”
“A bit.”Cadelclimbed the ditch they had landed in. “Giveme your hand.”Hepulled her onto a dark road. “Who’sfirst?”
“Mr.P.Tankenbury.”Auroratried to rub some warmth into her arms.
“Here.”Cadelslipped off his jacket and gave it toAurora.
