Despair had existed all around him. As a boy, he could recall its presence in Father’s eyes; through his travels in the Mortal Land, in women and children and men taking refuge in dark corners of alleyways as shelter; every person that sought him out and begged him to revive their child, their lover, their friend.
There has to be more than this,Finnian always thought to himself.A place with no hurt, no anguish.
Cassian lightly pulled away, hands still in Finnian’s hair and on his waist. He met his gaze, brow slightly lifted, looking at him in a way that asked,are you ready?
Finnian gave a weak nod.
Cassian returned his attention to Father.
Finnian did not. He could feel Father watching, the adoration pouring out and infusing in the air and dissolving deep into his pores. A love that sank into his marrow. He wanted to reach out and freeze it right there.
Father wrapped an arm around Finnian’s side, reaching out his other hand to scrub through Cassian’s hair. “It has been a nice life, old friend.”
Cassian scoffed through a small smile, smoothing his strands back. “I am happy to rid you and your moss from my prison.”
Father laughed. “I will find a way to grow it in the afterlife, I promise you that. I’ve taught my successor well.”
Cassian rolled his eyes. “I have no doubt.”
Father let out a breath, his smile shrinking into a more wistful one.
A solemn look shadowed Cassian’s features as he held Father’s eyes. “Are you ready, Vale?”
Father stared at him for a long moment, squeezing Finnian’s side one last time before stepping away. “Yes.”
Finnian’s pulse beat frantically in his throat.
Cassian slipped his fingers through Finnian’s as he looked at Naia and then down to Marina. “Both of you, follow.”
Marina made no move to get up. She shook and wept like a fragile, broken thing.
Finnian’s nostrils flared, the sight clotting a sickness in his gut.
Naia breezed past them and kneeled beside Marina. “Come on, Sister.” She gently took hold of Marina’s forearm and hauled her up. “I will hold on to you.”
Surprisingly, Marina did not dispute.
Together, they rose to their feet.
With one hand, she clung to Naia’s arm, and in her other, she clasped the magnolia against her stomach. Her porcelain complexion was splotchy and hideous from her tears.
Finnian’s eyes flickered to Father. He watched them with small pride—a fulfillment of some dying wish. Finnian was glad Naia could be the one to grant that to him.
The iron gates rumbled the ground as they split apart. A trail wound through the forest of wisteria.
Lustrous, fiery globes drifted under the wispy branches like small stars. They skipped and dashed across the air, a fading giggle echoing behind them.
Two Errai cloaked in bone-gray attire met them at the trail, their faces hidden behind their marble masks.
They both bowed in greeting and then gestured to Vale to stand in the empty space between them.
He did and they started forward.
Cassian strolled behind them with Finnian in hand.
Naia walked at Finnian’s other side, her arm interlocked with Marina’s. Both of their heads were lifted, their eyes chasing the glowing spirits.
“They are souls,” Finnian whispered to Naia.
