I tried to contain my intrigue when Ragen’s hand made its way to the small of Mykie’s lower back. There was a possessive edge to the way he stepped closer. I thought he might even try to pull her to him, if he wasn’t smart enough to realize that could result in getting an arm ripped off.
“Fine, rebel, you were fired. Does that make you feel better?”
“Much.” She grinned. “So, what’s the vibe?”
“Just catching up and relaxing.” Graysen smiled. “Faeryn and I brought some supplies to celebrate the reunion if you want to help with setup.”
Graysen and I had over-packed for the event, preparing for quite the party. I foraged my favorite foods and he spent all of yesterday sweating over the fire pit in the floor of our cabin to create an assortment of delicacies for us to indulge in. We also packed most of our blankets and furs to create soft bedding, so we could sleep under the stars tonight.
Violet and Venus played on the shore with Mykie and Ragen’s significantly smaller Silvate. It was a small island for seven life forms to share, but it was ours. Love was visible in every direction as we created a new tradition to make the most of life, even when the rest of the world was complicated.
I leaned down and picked up an armful of firewood—brought in case this island had none. We knew very little about what to expect when Ragen told us where to meet. Last fall, he’d shown up on Eitrea’s shores and told us about a location he thought would be safe for these routine visits. We had, of course, shared our shelter for the night before he returned home, a date agreed upon to work around their organization’s strict and secretive scheduling.
“Allow me.” Ragen appeared to my side, pulling the heavy logs out of my arms.
“I got it,” I laughed. “I’ve been holding my own in the wild for some time now. A little manual labor won’t hurt me.”
“I hardly believe Graysen is giving you many opportunities to 'hold your own'.” His eyes strayed to Graysen and Mykie, who were, forsomereason, building a table. It would probably be destroyed by the time we returned.
The sweetness in that truth overrode my pride. “He’s a great guy. How is Mykie?"
“Much better.” He turned his head thoughtfully while watching her across the beach, hammering away on a makeshift table leg. “She’s been sober since early winter with the help of a company healer. She was a wonderful hitwoman, but I think it was taking a toll on her.”
“I’m so glad she’s recovering.” A relief I didn’t know I needed, caused me to exhale. “And you, you’re—” I paused to choose my words carefully. “You’re close to each other? She has somebody looking out for her?”
His eyes shone. “As long as I’m alive she’ll have somebody looking out for her. But to answer your unasked question, we’re taking it slow.”
Unadulterated joy crinkled my eyes. Graysen had been worried sick about Mykie since we left, and so was I. She’d done so much for us, and we’d have to leave her knowing she’d thrown herself into the pit for my survival. I owed her my life. I was delighted she was healthier, working less, and on a path to peace. Most importantly, judging by the way she caught Ragen’s gaze and smiled with sharp teeth and crinkled scales, she had love.
As the daytime stars set over the purple horizon, we curled up by the fire. The low table they built kept what was left of the buffet lifted away from the dirt, large green leaves functioning as plates for the remaining entrees. We’d have leftovers to take home. Cards from several passionate games of Doors lay loosely in a pile at the edge of the table, threatening to drift into our nest of blankets at the next ocean breeze.
I sat between Graysen’s thighs. Mykie and Ragen sat side-by-side across from us, their bare feet touching by the warmth of the flames. I tilted my head back to Graysen’s shoulder soI could stare at the galaxies swirling into view above us. Those paint brush strokes of glitter would only grow more dazzling as the daytime starlight faded completely. I never grew tired of the view. Every night, I sat on our makeshift porch and pondered how the same sky that had once baffled my neophyte self now filled my soul with reverence for the beautiful planet I called home. Ofallthe solar systems I could have been sent to, every planet that could be hospitable to a demigod, this was the one for me. Of course it was. Because Graysen was here.
“How is Theo these days?” Graysen asked after swallowing another mouthful of dessert.
“Unsure.” Mykie leaned back onto her hands. “He’s been MIA. He showed up to do an assortment of unexplained tasks, then left for another trip. I don’t think he’s even collecting a paycheck anymore.”
“What about the pub?”
“Stella says the last time he was around, he asked her how she’d feel about taking it over. I wonder if he’s trying to move off-grid.” She looked to Ragen. “You know he’s always wanted to get away from things.”
“I hope he does,” Graysen remarked. “The guy has worked several lifetimes worth of hours in the community. An early retirement is in order.”
“I think Stella would love running the pub,” Mykie said. “She’s really come into her badass leadership era. She hires people, manages the finances, she’s handling renovations… of course she insists on keeping the pub named after him. She just ordered a new sign for the building that still says ‘Theo Octovian’s Pub’.”
“I’m glad she’s maintaining his legacy,” I smiled.
“Whenever you guys come back, I’m sure your jobs will be waiting for you,” Mykie stated confidently. “Stella has been less than subtle in assuming I know your location, despite my insistence that I am asdevastatedabout your sudden disappearance as everybody else.”
“That’ll be nice,” I sighed, my eyes floating closed from the tranquility of the evening. “For now, though, I’m very content on my home island. I’ll find myself on Eitrea, so when we return to Virylan I knowexactlywhat I want from a life of freedom.”
It was a big challenge, inventing an identity from nothing. As far as my own memory served, my foundation as a person was filled with trauma and confusion.But those roots meant very little when I factored in the love that tended to them. Graysen and I could grow and heal together, embracing the journey and allowing it to make ourselves and our love stronger.
“Are you ready for your story, Little Fae?” Graysen purred, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek.
“Story?” Mykie asked.
“Every night he tells me a story from before I forgot everything,” I yawned, wiggling myself into a more reclined position against Graysen’s chest.
