He calmed and Sage held her breath, searching his face.
“They think… I'm a… hero?”
“Hero? A male in the hallway said, disbelief in his voice, and another male inside the room said, “No way.”
Sage dropped Boeson’s hand and surveyed the room, trying to figure out who’d said it. “He is a hero!” she hissed, angry tears welling up in her eyes. “Heisa hero and you get the fuck out of here if you don’t think so!” She scanned faces for guilt. “You don't deserve to watch him die!”
She pointed at Timber and grabbed her mate. “Throw them out if they don't think he's a hero!”
“Yes, ma'am,” Timber said.
“Yes, female,” Canyon said.
Timber went to the hallway while Canyon paced in front of the males at the end of the room. “Who was it?” he growled. “’Fess up, or you’re all going outside.”
Sage turned back to Boeson, ignoring the growled conversations that followed between the males. She took his hand again.
“Youarea hero,” she told him. “The biggestfoxenhero that ever lived. You served the demon because you had to, and if you didn’t, he would have stolen another. You servedyourtime and time that wasn’t yours to serve. You helpedfoxenwhen you could, and anytime you learned a weakness of the demon’s, you sent messages from the Pravus.” Her voice broke. She blinked tears from her eyes, and the room fell dead silent.
“Thank you, Boeson,” Sage said. “For your service to allfoxen.” Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and let her anguish overtake her, forgetting everything for a few moments, until her tears faded and a quiet strength entered her.
“Now it's up to us to break the Tether,” she said. “I’ve got this. We’ve got this. My mate and I…” She turned fresh eyes on Canyon, realizing a memory she’d always considered true had disappeared from her head.
Her mate nodded at her, confidence shining on his face.
“We’ve got this,” Sage continued, still looking at her mate… wondering. She turned back to Boeson. His eyes were closed and his breathing labored. She squeezed his hand, saying, “You are free, Elder.”
***
Canyon watched his mate speak like someone who’d worn a star on her shoulder her entire life, someone who’d always known she was meant for great things. Light seemed to shine from her body, making him squint.
Her eyes closed and her chin lifted. “You are free to enter the loving light of Rhen, Elder,” she said. “All your family that has gone before you awaits you as a hero.”
Sage bowed her head and light flooded her. Canyon threw a hand up to shade his eyes.
A high, pure voice spoke from all around:
“Your time here is at an end, Boeson Saint Clair. I welcome you home.”
The room filled with blinding light. Canyon squinted, ignoring the nervous shouts of those around him. His only thought was for Sage and he moved closer to her. A sound like a thunderclap split the room and the blinding light blinked out suddenly. Sage was stiff, her back bowed, her face pointed at the ceiling, her toes scraping the floor.
Light flared and the voice spoke again:
"He has gone from this place. Whosoever wishes to meet with him can do so from their own meadow at any time. He welcomes each of you and all of your progeny forevermore, with open arms and utmost appreciation. You have his loving support and clear guidance for the rest of your days andbeyond. You may rest well knowing such a great being has blessed you so."
Sage’s neck straightened and she pointed at Mac, her eyes shining silver.
"You may dispose of the body. He has no more use for it."
Mac looked around, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, I'll get right on that.”
Sage went limp and Canyon caught her, wrapping her in his arms.
93—Come to Me, What is Mine
Sage cried and her mate held her. He didn’t say a word, as she cried out at centuries of injustice, betrayal, and unfairness. He kissed her head and stroked her hair. He moved her through the house and growled at anyone who got too close to them. He took her outside, near his truck, and he held her tightly.
After what felt like forever, Sage’s tears dried up. She wiped her eyes on her mate’s shirt, her brain foggy. He provided a tissue and she blew her nose. She rested her head on his chest, hearingvodtalk in the distance, their tones aggressive.
