“I’m here, Briar.”
Larkin pulls me against his chest, wrapping both arms around me as tightly as he can with my hands by my side. I try to move back, but his hold prevents me from doing so.
“Let go of me,” I snap.
He doesn’t speak; he stands there, applying pressure around my trembling body. He rests his chin on my head and embraces me, keeping me from swinging at him or crumbling. I feel my body calm and bury my face in his chest, letting the tears soak his shirt. I weep and can’t stop, but Larkin doesn’t move. He holds me steadily, allowing me to cry for as long as I need.
I cry for Maines and Yara, for my brother, my mother, and all the people who have been hurt along the way. I cry for our past, our uncertain future, and for right now. My present seems impossible to endure, and Larkin holds me just like Barlowe would have, just like he did when our mother died.
Tears streak down my face, mingling with the dust, sweat, and blood coating me, yet Larkin remains steadfast. He holdsme firmly, gripping my back. I stay still with my head against his strong chest.
Bursts of sobs escape my throat, and I feel my anger fading.
I gradually pull back from his grip and glance up at his face. Larkin has tears rolling down his cheeks, and he lets me step back a few paces to catch my breath.
I simply stare at him, feeling something within my chest expand, even as my heart crumbles. He uses his thumb to wipe a tear from his eye quickly and stares back at me.
“Larkin,” I say, and shake my head. “I…I’m so sorry.”
“She’s going to be alright,” he replies.
“No, you. I’m sorry.”
He lowers his gaze.
“Why?” I step forward. “Why did you let me hit you?”
Larkin doesn’t respond.
I grab his hand. “Why did you just stand there?”
“Because… you needed me to.”
I’m surprised I still have tears left to shed, but they continue falling from my red eyes.
“I told you I would spend the rest of my life ensuring you are okay, Briar.” He pauses. “I owe that to Barlowe, and I owe it to you, now.” He wipes another tear from his eye.
“I shouldn’t have done that.”
His face softens. “You didn’t do anything I couldn’t handle.”
“Will you take me to her?”
He nods. “Of course.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
Larkin extends his hand, and I take it, stepping closer to him. I pick up the red book that may have cost me everything and tuck it under my arm. He burrows down into his magic, and light begins to fill the dark space around us. He glances at me one last time, and a gentleness I’ve never seen settles into his dark gaze. I feel my body turn to light, and a weightlessness takes over. Heshifts us toward Silas’s house faster than I’ve ever shifted before, and I know for sure that Larkin will protect me until we reach the darkest realms and beyond—just like Barlowe did until his very last breath.
Silas’s house is quiet—too quiet—as we arrive. I pull my hand away from Larkin’s and race down the stairs, ignoring my sore body that screams for rest. The sun rises slowly in the distance, signaling a new day ahead of us—the day Silas will be announced as king, and hopefully the day I won’t lose my best friend.
I race down the hallway leading to Maines and Oak’s bedroom and freeze when I see Fenmore slumped against the wall with her hands in her lap. Silas and Warrick stand next to her, leaning against the wall, and Silas runs his hands through his hair. They whisper in a quiet conversation, not noticing our arrival.
“Silas?” I question.
He jerks his gaze to mine and rushes toward me, pulling me into a tight embrace. He pulls me back and studies my face, coated in blood and tears. Fen lifts her head and gives Larkin a nod.
“She’s alive,” Silas whispers.
