My lip trembled, and I caught it to keep it steady.“What else?”
“Tell Riah and Broga I love them, and they can have any of my clothes and jewelry.”
“I will.”
“Write to Papa too.Tell him he was always a good father to me.”
I nodded, my throat too choked for speech.
“And write to Thoe.”
“Thoe?”I moved back to get a better look at her face.“Why Thoe?”
“I want him to know I would have left him even if his head hadn’t been turned by Estila.He can’t kiss worth a fig.”
“Finnrey, I’m not telling him that part about the kissing.”
“Hmm.”She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were red and bloodshot.“You are probably right.But the rest?”
“You have my word.”I lay back beside her.“I don’t want to lose you,” I murmured.“I can’t.”
Her breathing had become more labored and louder.I realized the hissing sound we associated with the Hollows was perhaps the way they breathed because Finnrey’s breaths were taking on that quality.I held her tighter, even though she was uncomfortably warm.I shut my eyes and clung to her—my sister.My Finnrey.
A cool hand on my shoulder forced me to open my eyes.Taio crouched beside me.
“No,” I said.“Please no.”
“Mara.”The one word had a world of meaning.I shut my eyes and forced myself to take a steadying breath.I had to be strong for her.I would not allow Finnrey’s last moments to be about me and my grief.“Go with Omira,” he said.
I began to shake, my breaths coming in small pants.Omira moved forward and held out a hand.Before I took it, I gave Finnrey one last look.Her eyes opened, the whites now very pink.She tried to smile, but her teeth were red from blood.“Good night, Mara,” she said.
Good night.Notuntil that tomorrow.Good night, because we would not see each other again on any tomorrow.
“Good night,” I said, my voice steady even though I was quaking uncontrollably.“Sweet dreams.”
She closed her eyes, and I reached for Omira’s hand.Her grip was tight, and as soon as I stood, she put an arm about my shoulder and led me away.Kintle and Yung were waiting, and the three of them closed around me.Even if I had turned around, they would have blocked my view.
Quietly, Yung began to sing.I suppose it was singing.It sounded almost like chanting, though there was a melodic quality to it.I didn’t understand the words or even if there were words.After a moment, Omira and Kintle joined in.
“What are you doing?”I asked Omira.
“We are saying the Death Rite,” she answered.“This chant will open a way for Finnrey to join the gods in the ever after.”
I didn’t believe in an ever after.At that moment, I didn’t believe in the gods.
But I let the song of the Death Rite wash over me and block the sounds of death nearby.And when they finally finished chanting, twilight was falling, and the insects were buzzing, and Finnrey was gone.
