CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
The view below us was magnificent, precious, and overwhelming all at once—ancient trees, tall and willowy, with large, fat leaves the colors of autumn. The sun was still low in the sky, the air outside crisp and cool. Wildflowers with petals of white, pink, and orange dotted the hills and valleys.
With Rune’s hand in mine, I asked quietly, “This is where he wanted his ashes scattered?”
Rune nodded once, pressed against my side to stare out the window with me. “This is where we shift and play together. There are no worries on this land. Only pleasure and happiness. No king or alpha. God was free to be himself here.”
The burn of tears left me blinking. “This is the perfect place for him to rest then.”
A shaky breath escaped his mouth. “When we found him in the wreckage of the building, I knew this day would come. I’ve prepared for it. But it still doesn’t seem real.”
I gripped his fingers tighter, the train descending. “I’m here. If you need me.”
“Today…” He cleared his throat as the train landed. “Today I’ll need you.”
I nodded and stood to my feet. I gently pulled him up.
I busied myself brushing any pieces of lint off his suit. “You can do this.”
He still stared out the window.
“Rune, you can.” I pulled on the bottom of his jacket, straightening it. “Don’t faint on me. I can’t carry your heavy ass.”
He chuckled half-heartedly, the wrinkles in his forehead staying in place. “That would be a funny sight.”
I lifted my hand and grabbed his chin gently. I turned his face away from the window and stared into his eyes. “You really can do this, Rune. I promise. It’s gonna hurt like a sonofabitch. But you can do it.”
He snorted. “Then I’ll move on?”
I peered back down to his suit jacket and brushed off his shoulders, where I couldn’t see. “Eventually, it’ll get easier. But your love for him won’t ever disappear. You’ll hold that in your heart for eternity because that’s how amazing friends affect you. They change your life in the best ways.”
His black brows pull together. “You lost someone.”
“I did.” I cleared my throat and started straightening my black dress. “I had a real friend once when I was young. She was the only good in my horrible life. She made me smile—and even laugh sometimes. Then my father had her killed. We were only ten-years-old then, but she made an impact on the person I wanted to be.”
His hands grabbed mine, stilling their movements. “I’m sorry.”
I tilted my head back and gazed into his eyes. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not sorry for the time I had with her.”
“About your father, Megan.”
I shook my head and looped my arm through his. “Today is about Godric. We should make our way out there.”
Rune puffed out a breath and turned his head to peer at his silent friend. “Are you ready, man?”
“No.” Alaric jerked his attention from his own window. He pushed to his feet and yanked on his tie, straightening it in a nervous gesture. “But your mate’s right. We should quit hiding in here. Poppy’s train is landing.”
Alaric led the way down his train’s stairs. I stuck close to Rune’s side as we walked through the grassy field, spurts of sunshine shining down on us through the fragrant foliage. Alaric walked on his other side, sticking close to us.
My brows furrowed, and I quickly released Rune’s arm to curve around him. Then I stepped directly between the two men. I hooked my arms into both of theirs. At Alaric’s surprised stare, I simply stated, “No one should be alone today. Everyone needs someone to lean on.”
Alaric swiftly peered over my head to his friend. “Are you okay with this?”
“As long as you are. She’s right,” murmured softly.
The three of us stopped at the edge of a small cliff where a river ran below.
All the others were lined up along the edge.
