He snorts. “As much as I’d like that to be true, most fae can sense there’s something off about me now that a huge portion of my power is missing. She could have easily dematerialized when I released her and moved on.”
“And yet, she stayed and helped.”
“Exactly. I’ve been trying to track her down, but so far, no luck. If you’d like, I’ll be sure to let you know once I do.”
“As long as she doesn’t look like my mother, I’m fine.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t.”
I stare up at the stars, wondering if perhaps somewhere, in a different dimension maybe, another version of me is living a happy, peaceful life. No fighting, no heartbreak, no death. Maybe she got to grow up with both parents, and maybe her love isn’t nearly as complicated as mine.
Perhaps there, the witch can love the vampire, and there can be peace.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Just considering our next move.”
“Can you not just look up at the stars?” he asks.
“When this is over, I can.”
“When this is over, it might be too late.” He points up to the sky. “If you don’t take a moment to breathe—to truly appreciate what’s in front of you—the fight is going to feel endless.”
“It already does.”
“Because all of you lack what I possess.”
I turn toward him. “And what’s that?”
“Perspective.”
“Oh?” Arching an eyebrow, I wait for him to reply.
“This fight, this war, it feels like forever, yes, and as much as I want to promise you this will be the last one, I can’t. The truth is, as long as there are supernaturals in the world loyal to the old councils, you willalwayshave another fight. You’re looking forward to living when it’s over, but it never will be. Not completely. And if you continue waiting, pushing things off, you’re never going to live.” He shifts in his seat and leans forward to rest both forearms on his knees. “See, it’s not actually the destination that matters. It’s the moments, Bronywyn—the peaceful beauty around you, laughter with friends, nights with your lover that are truly fleeting, and if you don’t grasp a hold of them when you can, you’ll miss it all and be left wondering where all the time went.”
His words break my heart.
Because I know he’s speaking for me—yes—but also for him. What must it be like? To have seen everything he has? “Is it hard for you?”
“What?”
“To watch it all pass you by?”
“Honestly? It wasn’t. Not until I met you assholes.” He grins at me, and I smile, feeling a weight lifting off my chest. “You need to talk to Tarnley.”
“Has he said something to you?”
“No. But I recognize the look of helplessness when it comes to love.”
“Tell her, Fearghas.”
He smiles softly and shakes his head. “Eira and I, we’ve almost gone there plenty of times, but I’m not for her.”
“Why the hell do you think that?”
“Just trust me. Friendship? Yes. Anything more? No. And that’s okay with me.”
“Is it, though?”