And then, we will get our one days,our next times, our happy.
One day.
CHAPTER 38
AUREN TURLEY
Before Slade and I leavethe house, he stops to grab his old pants, and I see him take something out of the pocket. I arch a brow, but when I see what it is, my heart skips a beat.
“A piece of my ribbon?” I ask breathlessly.
He nods, coming forward to show me. It’s worn and frayed slightly, the golden color not as bright and glossy as the ones on my back. My eyes fill with tears. “This is the piece…”
The piece that Midas had cruelly tied around my wrist once he cut the rest from my back. The piece I saved and looked at, while believing I’d never have them again.
“You kept it all this time?”
Slade nods and slips the piece back into his pocket. “I keep every part of you you’ve ever given to me,” he murmurs. “Your heart, your soul, your mind, your bond, your body…and your ribbon.”
Tears spring to my eyes and I tuck myself against him. All my ribbons curl around to wrap us up, like they want to squeeze him in a hug. “Thank you,” I whisper. “For keeping all the parts of me safe.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Always,” he promises.
And Slade never goes back on a promise.
Together, he and I leave the safe house, returning to the darkened underground waterway. We’re quiet, watching each other from either side of the boat as Slade pulls on the oars, bringing us back to the entrance.
Every second, at least one of my ribbons is always stretched out, stroking over some part of him or wrapping around his limbs. He gives me a knowing smile, and I smile back, wondering how in the realms I got so lucky to have him.
He offers me his hand once we tie the boat to the post, and we make our way up the short steps of the cellar door. We pause, and Slade’s head cocks, both of us listening. But there are no sounds on the street.
We share a glance before Slade uses the key to unlock the cellar door. He opens it and looks around and then motions me forward, both of us climbing out into the daylight. When we’re out in the open again at the back of the building, we wait and listen, eyes peeled.
“I don’t hear anything,” I murmur.
“No,” he agrees. “The city is quiet.”
“Too quiet,” I say with unease.
Nodding, he looks over at me. I can already see rot lines starting to writhe on his forearms where he’s partially rolled up his sleeves, and his spikes are on display. “Be prepared for an attack.”
I turn my palms, showing him I already have gold clamped in my hand.
“Good girl,” he says with a smile. “Let’s go.”
The two of us round the corner of the building and walk down the narrow path at its side. Before we can reach the street though, somebody suddenly jolts up from the building’s front stoop.
Slade has the blond-haired male by the throat and against the door before I can even blink.
I spin around, looking for more people attacking, but all I see is another male across the street, holding his hands up. “Lyäri!” he calls. “We are not your enemy!”
I spot the broken-winged bird symbol pinned to his bright green lapel.
“Wait,” I tell Slade. “They’re Vulmin. Let him go.”
Without hesitation, Slade releases him.
The blond male wheezes, looking between the two of us. He rubs a hand down his wayward hair, eyes slightly glassy, like we interrupted a nap. “I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says. “We were just told to keep watch for you.”
