“I’m still going through my training, not out in the world yet. Fate showed up and gave me transport here tonight.”
Fate.
“She’s here?”
“She’s everywhere. Always.” Mom smooths my hair against my head. “It’s so good to see you, sugarplum.”
I pull her in for another hug, savoring the solidness of her, that she’s not just in my mind—a wishful thought turned reality.
“You better get ready for the second act.” She presses a kiss to the crown of my head. “I can’t wait to see you up there again. So beautiful. So happy.” A golden tear streaks down her cheek and I wipe it away.
“I’m happy because you’re here.” I don’t want this moment to end. I don’t want to go and not see her again. It might break me.
“I’m here,” she says, placing a hand over my heart. “Even when you can’t see me, you carry me with you always.”
“Will I see you again after tonight?”
“Yes, sweetie. You will.” She squeezes me tightly, and I close my eyes, locking my arms around her, not wanting to let go.
The air shifts, cinnamon sweeps away on the breeze, and before I open my eyes, I know that she’s returned to the audience, ready to support me, even in immortality. I sniff back tears as I head toward the dressing room, reminding myself of her words.
Even when you can’t see me, you carry me with you always.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
43
JOLIE
I’ve always loved winter, but the first sign of frost has never made me giddy. Not until today. It creeps around the windowpane, curving along the finger-drawn letters.
I’M HERE, TEMPEST.
SEE YOU SOON.
I’m still in bed, “Ice Cream” blaring from my phone. My eyes dart over to the thermostat, noticing it’s dropped a few degrees. A smile peels up my lips and my hand goes to my mate mark.“Where are you?”
“Good morning. I see you got my message.”His smooth baritone is every comfort I need. Even though his tone sounds calm, the excitement thrumming through my chest doesn’t belong solely to me.
“Yes. You came by already?”I can’t believe I missed it.“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You’re so peaceful when you sleep.”
I groan, wishing as he chuckles that he was here so I could smack him with a pillow.“You know, you’re lucky you’re my mate. Otherwise that would be a lot creepier sounding.”
“If I remember correctly, you still fell for me after my initial creeping.”
“I’m pretty sure that sort of wooing only worked on Bella.”
“Are you comparing me to a sparkly vampire?”
“If the stalkerish behavior fits,”I quip, but before I make another snarky comment, it flits away, replaced by a realization.“Wait. You actually know the reference?”
“Yes, we learn about it during our Frost training. It’s useful to know about how the mortals view anything related to our culture before we send new Frosts into the world… Though I have to admit, we tend to focus on Jacob. The better choice of the two. Obviously.”
“Says the wolf.”
