Page 108 of Between Earth and Eternity
She turns to face me, her dark eyes carrying uncertainty. “And this is somehow all connected to Vallen?”
I nod.
“Laz and Payson are involved too, aren’t they?”
I smile, appreciative of her quick mind. I nod again.
“Do you trust him?” She means Vallen.
“I do.”
She crosses her arms, her face serious for a moment, then her mouth turns into a smile as a thought crosses her mind. “Vallen Freaking Mannox. Who would have thought?”
I can’t help but giggle. “I know.”
“So, are you two . . .” She waves her hands.
“We haven’t officially defined it yet, but . . .” I take in a breath, just thinking about those eyes burning into mine, his hands and lips on me, igniting something more than just desire.
“Oh my god.” She covers her mouth, watching my face, finding the same realization I have come to see.
I look at the window. “This sounds strange to say about someone I hated not so long ago, but when I look at Vallen, it’s like looking out there.” I nod at the cosmos and stars rushing past. “It’s overwhelming, but it’s . . . everything. And I’m frightened, because I think if I truly gave myself completely to him, the capacity in my heart that he could claim as his own would be endless, limitless.” Ori clutches her chest as I go on. “The more time I spend with him, the more impossible it seems to keep at bay.” A tear rolls down my cheek.
“Let your heart guide you, Sky. No matter what happens, it won’t lead you astray.”
I breathe out a laugh, wiping the tears away. “That’s almost exactly what Elliot said to me the day I left. ‘Keep your heart open. I have a feeling something big is in store for you,’ is what he told me.”
“Sounds like he was onto something,” she says with a bright smile.
“Thank you, Ori. For everything, but especially for understanding.”
She pulls me into a tight embrace, “Friends forever, right?”
Tears rise in my eyes again. “Friends forever. No matter what happens.”
Overwhelming relief builds in my chest. I get the feeling we’re going to need all the friends we can get as the mission of taking down evil brews in the not so distant future.
Bex meets me at the door, escorting me into Vallen’s main living area once again. “He’ll be out in a minute.”
I nod, glancing around the room awkwardly. “So . . .”
“So?”
“Not to assume anything, but . . . you’re also part of all this, right?”
“What do you mean?” His eyebrows scrunch, trying to follow.
“I mean, how could you not be?”
“Skyler, what are you talking about?” he asks.
My heart drops. “Oh, um, nothing. Just forget it,” I say, placing a hand on my chest in apology.Not a great way to start out, Skyler. Come on.I internally cower, hoping the awkwardness passes as we stand in painful silence for several seconds.
Bex starts to laugh. “I’m sorry. I had to do that.”
I narrow my gaze, not at all amused.
“Yes. I am part of Project Nova. Have been since I started working for the Mannoxes several years ago.”
