I wanted the same ending.
However, what I wasn’t expecting was a note addressed to me—penned almost five years ago. The strangeness of holding a letter from the grave clutched my stomach.
There was also one for Jasmine and Daniel.
My heart suffered thinking of Daniel’s remains. He wouldn’t be buried or cremated, but perhaps, he would be happier away from Hawksridge and on his own with no delinquent comments of unwanted belonging.
Respecting Kestrel’s privacy, I burned Daniel’s letter. Never to be read. The words remaining between two dead brothers forever.
I delivered Jasmine’s to her room, leaving her to read on her own. And I took my envelope onto my Juliette balcony off my office where I’d spied on Kes and Nila as they’d galloped across the meadow.
Squinting in the winter sunshine, I slipped out the rich vellum and read my brother’s parting words.
Hello, Jet.
I’m guessing if you’re reading this, bad things happened.
I must admit, I didn’t see myself dying before you. After all, you’re the old bugger, not me. But if I died to protect you or help in some small way, then I’m glad. If I died from sickness or doing something stupid, then so be it. At least I’m free from whatever pain I was in.
I do need to ask something of you. And I need you to do it, Jet. Not just nod and pretend you will. I truly need you to do it.
Don’t mourn me.
Don’t think of me gone, but imagine I’m still with you because I am. We’re brothers and I have no intention of leaving you. I’ve been your support for too long to leave you in the lurch.
So even though I’m physically gone, I swear to you I won’t leave spiritually. Scatter my remains on the estate and whenever the wind blows, I’m there telling you a joke. Whenever it snows, I’m there covering you in frost. Whenever the sun shines, I’m there warming your chaotic soul.
And when you finally meet a girl worthy of your love, I’ll exist within her. I’ll teach her how to help you. I’ll guide her how to protect you like you’ll protect her. Because you’re the best goddamn friend a brother could ever ask for and whoever the girl is who steals your heart, I know she’s worth it.
I love her already. Just like I love you.
Never forget that friendships are forever.
I’ll see you again, Kite.
I’ll always be around.
I didn’t cry, even though my soul raged at the unjust and loss. My hands shook as I folded the letter and placed it carefully into its envelope. Kes had written the note before we claimed Nila. He’d sat alone one night and penned a letter to be delivered after his death.
How had he managed to pour so much into a few short paragraphs? How had he known exactly what to say?
If only he’d written it after he met Nila.
He would know what he predicted came true.
Nila was my everything.
She’d replaced Kes as my crutch, and I would never take her for granted like I did him.
Never.
The breeze blew gently, smelling sweetly of hay from the stables.
I closed my eyes and just rested in the moment. No thoughts. No concerns. I let life exist around me and stole a few short seconds to connect with my dead brother.
You’re still here, Kestrel.
I feel you.
