Deliver the message.
Syllaca was already prepping the trance. The rest of us debated what she needed to hear most, what words might guide her back to herself.
When Veridus was finally ready to go under, the others cleared out.
I stayed.
Of course I did.
There was no way in hell I was sleeping now, but I knew it’d take time before he’d be deep enough to reach her. So I left for a bit.
Went back to the Lodge.
Showered. Ate something.
Tried to calm the storm inside my head.
When the message came through from Syllaca,he’s under,I practically ran back.
My heart was pounding.
I was going to bring her home.
And then I was going to marry thefuckout of her.
* * *
Maelis
This time I wasn’t confused when I heard the quiet hum in my chest. My heart rate picked up speed, and my hands grew clammy from excitement. I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep, only to wake up a short while later outside the Veilstead. The sun was shining, and I could see smoke rising from the chimney, but I knew this was just another illusion.
Veridus stepped out of thin air and I instantly slung myarms around him.
“I am so glad to see you,” I breathed and he gave me an encouraging squeeze.
“We might have found a way to get you back.” He dropped the bomb without hesitation.
I let out an excited shriek and started jumping up and down in excitement.
Veridus filled me in on Theo’s theories and how he believed that the Fates had no pull over me anymore.
It sounded logical, but I wasn’t sure this was actually going to help us.
“I am not sure I understand. If it was a matter of choice, I would be back right this second!” I exclaimed and covered my face with my hands in frustration.
“I understand, but this is our best bet so far. Can you somehow contact the Fates and confront them about this?” Veridus asked.
“The Fates seem to come and go as they please. But I will try to get in touch with them. Please don’t give up on me.”
Veridus shook his head, but I could already feel him fading away again.
“Tell Theo I loved his letter. And that I am still on the island, waiting for him to come and get me.”
Veridus looked at me in confusion, but gave my hand a last squeeze before fading away.
The darkness surrounded me immediately and I fell back into my blissful hole of nothingness.
It took me what felt like weeks to locate the Fates.
