A large hand gently grabs my shoulder.
Why do I know that there are seven hundred and forty-three specks between fifty-two individual stones?
“It’s ready for you.”
My body turns aimlessly until I find myself locked in Kayn’s red eyes—ones that haunt me. Blinking rapidly, I take a shaky step forward. His hands find my arms, a steadying touch as I fight to stay upright.
Redirecting my gaze downward, I force myself to swallow the lump that’s there.
He squeezes tighter. “You need to talkto her…”
“I—” The crying and screaming have left my voice raw, scraped down to nothing but a whisper. “I know…”
It’s as though she had been just around the corner, because the moment I speak, I see blue hair coming into view. Sydni opens the metal barred door and rushes to me.
When she saw Kairhyse, I broke down all over again. I apologized for so long I lost my voice. Like I had taken her Mark from her, it was all I could think to do. I’d broken this… my family. For my freedom, I’d torn us apart, and for the first time in my entire existence, I can’t find any forgiveness for myself.
I hate my selfishness, andcarethat she might hate me for it too.
Her eyes close as she comes into my view, and wraps her arms around my neck. As she shakes, I slowly encircle her torso and hold her weakly.
She doesn’t say anything, but sobs softly into my let down, unbrushed hair.
I want so badly to stop breathing already so that I can be with him again.
Sydni pulls away from me just slightly, her chin tilting up as her eyes remain closed. She knows they remind me of him, and it stings to realize she's doing this for my sake. That after everything I’ve done, she would still think of me like this.
“You can open your eyes, Syd,” I say while bringing my hand up to her cheek.
Her teeth chatter as she does, tears spilling in waves from them. I swipe them away with my thumb, shifting between her bright crimson eyes.
“You should see me before I go.”
When the words leave my lips, she throws herself back against me and squeezes me tight. “Please don’t leave me, Phiny.”
I suck in a sorrowful breath, allowing myself to feel the burn of my temples as pain crosses my eyes.
“Please don’t go...”
Leaning my head against hers, I hold onto the friend I never deserved. The person that saw me for not the monster or demon the world created me to be. The one that loved me unconditionally, and that Itoolove with all of who I am.
“I fought so hard to be happy…” I caress my hand down the back of her head, letting my tears fall freely onto her shoulder. “My happiness is right here, buried with him.”
When she nearly falls, I grab hold of her tighter. “I—I’m going to miss you so much. I can’tlive without you.”
I hush her, and kiss the side of her head. “I’m going to miss you too, but Syd, I can finally have peace. No more fighting… no more running… and I can be with him.”
She steps back and looks once again at me. Her eyes are as red as mine are, I’m sure. “Brice will take care of you, and so will Niyla. Alaric also promised to watch out for you, too.” I turn my head over to see Kayn. “I’ll be back when I’m meant to fulfill my promises, but until then” —I put my hands up to cradle her face in them— “I’ll be at peace.”
When she opens her mouth, all that comes out is a whimper.
“I love you, Sydni.”
Her head shakes as she squeezes her eyes shut tightly. “I love you, Xera. You were always the best friend I deserved, even if you think otherwise. I’d have never had it any other way.”
I release a sad huff that is filled with a soft laugh. “If you say so, princess.”
Leaning forward, I press a kiss to her forehead. She puts her arms around me once more, and when I look up, I see Niyla, Brice, and Alaric standing in the doorway.
