Tears fill my eyes, and I close them as a sob rips free. My shoulders begin to shake uncontrollably as it all sets in. This is it. The end. And even as I knew it was coming—
“It’ll be okay, Ember. Remember what I said? You’re fire.” Wally pats my hand, and I want nothing more than to scream, to tell him that even fire dies out, but I don’t. I’ve already caused him enough pain and doing so serves no one.
It does nothing.
I knew I was going to die. Hell, I did all I could to ensure that, but as I realize I will never get the chance to feel grass under my feet again, never get to close my eyes against a soft breeze as it caresses my face—
And Rafferty. Another heavy sob rips through my body.
His rare smile assaults me, and I try to block it out because the pain of that particular realization is too much for me to carry right now.
“It’s going to be okay. We’re going to figure this out together,” Wally coos. “I promise. I won’t leave you. You aren’t alone, Ember. Not anymore.”
I wasn’t alone before,I want to say. If I could find someone to re-open the portal—but I don’t even allow that thought to finish before I shut it down. Doing that would undo what I’ve accomplished by getting here.
The only good that came of Conary abducting me.
Sniffling, I do my best to steel my resolve and remind myself why I snuck away from Rafferty.
I’m here to die. Because when I go, so does Taranus. And when he is gone, Faerie can heal with their rightful king leading them. My death will mean Rafferty’s success. That means something.
And that’s all I can hope for, right?