August’s body went a tad rigid. “Hate you?First off, Dimples, my dad loves you. Both my parents do. Secondly, you didn’t put me at risk, so don’t ever say that again. Don’t even think it, allright?”
I said, “All right,” even though I knew I would always think it. How could I not? When August reached over me to click off the light shining over the bed, I said, “Can you leave iton?”
“Ofcourse.”
He played with my hair, and the gentle movement lulledme.
“I didn’t see them,” Imurmured.
“Didn’t see who,sweetheart?”
“Mom and Dad.” My throat narrowed. “When I died, I didn’t see them.” A beat passed. “You think I wasn’t dead long enough, or do you think there’s nothing waiting for usafter?”
Although his chest rose and fell steadily, his pulse picked up speed. “I don’tknow.”
I appreciated his honesty, even though it made my throat close up some more. “Thankyou.”
“Forwhat?”
“For bringing me back.” At least people had waited for me on thisside.
He dropped my hair and tucked me closer, stamping a kiss on my temple, which I felt even through the gauze. “I’ll always bring youback.”
And I knew he would. Every time I’d gotten lost, he’d been the one to bring meback.
60
Iwokeup to a brightness so white I snapped my lids up—lid. The other one was still mummified by the gauze. The tan wall came into focus first. I’d never been particularly fond of that color, but as I gazed at it, I thought it was quitemarvelous.
The low drone of voices outside my hospital room made me turn onto my other side. Chair legs scraped, and a tremulous whispered, “Querida,” rose in time withEvelyn.
With trembling hands, she cupped my cheeks, careful not to apply too much pressure to my bandaged one, and then pressed her uncharacteristically pale lips to my forehead, then to my nose, and then to my forehead again. “I will not make old bones if you keep doing things like this tome.”
“I’m sorry,Evelyn.”
Moisture clumped her black lashes together. “Oh,querida. Please, no more danger.Please.”
“I promise I’m done with duels and contests for the rest of mylife.”
“Bueno. Now tell me, how do you feel? Frank said you heal fast, but Iworry.”
When did she not? “I feelfine.”
Her dark eyes inspected my covered face, making me wonder if the gauze was soaked in blood. As I raised my fingers to feel it, there was a knock on thedoor.
“Can we come in?” Frankcalled.
Evelyn looked over her shoulder, then back atme.
“Who’s we?” I asked herquietly.
“The men you call theelders.”
“All five ofthem?”
Shenodded.
I hoisted myself into a sitting position and finger-combed my hair. Not that they’d notice my rat’s nest when half my face was swathed up. “C-comein!”
