Page 76 of Fire Touched

The sun spills over the horizon as we meet at the north border of Terran, seven of us packed and ready to go, with Verron, Prescott, Haldreg and Elga to see us off. The soft rays glitter through the raised barrier, iridescent in the changing lights.

More than a few of us have tears in our eyes. I hate this. This—goodbye. Each of us splitting off from our mates—even if Ella and Carter’s mate-status hasn’t been stated aloud. Elga wraps her arms around her daughter. Ivy will go with Katherine and Ella. The Air Pack are infamous. They may need her power. The chisel I made for her rests in the bottom of her bag, along with hastily packed clothes.

Though the young woman is clearly excited to leave—for what might be the first time—Ivy’s worried, silver eyes flick over her parents and their head of security. ‘What if something happens while I’m gone? What if Water Pack attack? What if you need me?’

‘I think Katherine needs you more,’ Verron says. ‘Besides, we have your mother’s barrier, Haldreg’s guards.’ Her father touches her hair affectionately. ‘You just be careful, and protect our new friends.’

For a long moment, no one says anything. I stare into the distance, watching as the sun’s soft rays glitter off the snow in the distance. Birds greet the morning with their songs. Rabbits and deer graze around us. The freedom and peace of Terran—of anywhere—is a delicate and fragile thing. I will not harm it. I will protect and nourish it.

Finally, I meet my mate’s gaze. ‘Are you sure you’re okay with this?’

Katherine offers a sad smile. ‘We have to.’

I wrap her in my arms. ‘You’ll all come back to Cinder. As soon as you’re done.’ My heart threatens to split in my chest. I can’t believe we’re doing this. I can’t believe I’m letting her go somewhere so dangerous without me. I pull back. ‘Give me your hand. Show me your fire power.’ I know she won’t use her Tide Touched powers unless she has to, but her fire power, in my opinion, is stronger, anyway.

Katherine holds out her hand, palm up, and summons a great ball of fire, nearly as big as her head. I nod. ‘Good. Good girl.’ I look between Ella and Ivy. ‘You three take care of each other, okay? Please.’

Moira and Elijah’s heads are bent together, exchanging a few last, private whispers.

When they break apart, Elijah’s eyes are bright. ‘Are you sure we should—’ He sounds almost panicked.

Moira grasps his hands tightly, silencing him. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ll be safe. It won’t be for too long.’

Elijah rounds on me, his eyes blazing. ‘You protect her, you hear me?’ He points a finger at me. ‘You protect her with your life, Killian.’

I blink. ‘I didn’t realise you were so possessive. But yeah, I will.’

Moira cups his face with her hands. ‘I know it’s… poor timing, but you’ll be with me again soon.’ She glances over her shoulder at Prescott, a small smile playing over her lips. ‘I don’t want to live in Cinder. We’ll come home. Here. As soon as we can.’

Prescott throws his arms around both of them.

‘Don’t squish her,’ Elijah snaps.

Katherine’s brows draw together, but she shakes the thought away, turning to look up at me. ‘We’ll be okay. Ella is a born diplomat, and Ivy… well, apparently she can take care of herself. It’s nice to meet you properly, by the way,’ she adds.

Ivy inclines her head. ‘One hybrid to another. You, too.’

I’ve boxed away my feelings about Ivy. Killing my mother. I don’t have the strength to sort through all that. Not yet. Verron has assured me she’s always in control of her powers. She won’t hurt Ella or Katherine accidently. She’ll protect them.

Prescott wipes tears from his cheeks. ‘Okay, kids, sun’s rising. Time to go. Everyone has breakfast? Good.’

Moira chuckles at his fussing over them and exchanges another look with Elijah. I feel like I’m missing something, but my head and my heart are too full to let in anything else.

‘Right, you. With me.’ I wave Moira over. She struggles under the weight of her tent and her full pack. ‘What do you have in there?’

‘Clothes, hair accessories, books—’

I groan. ‘You know you have to carry that, right?’

Elijah glares at me. ‘Not the whole way. She can tie it to the saddle. Here.’

I don’t like riding. It’s weird, but it will be a lot faster than walking. We each have our horses, given to us by the people of Terran.

I lean down to Katherine one last time. ‘When you get to Cinder, I’ll finally take you on that dinner date on the beach. I’m sorry I missed that.’ I press my forehead to hers. ‘I’m sorry things have been hard. They’ll get better, I promise. I love you,’ I whisper, pressing my lips to hers. Eventually, we part, and I climb up onto my horse. Everyone else mounts up.

‘I love you, too,’ Katherine says.

I’m half a dozen paces from her, and already, it’s too much. My throat burns as we bid everyone goodbye.

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