Considering my grandfather’s sacrifice, I leaned forward and shoved my face into the bedspread as tears threatened once more. “I’msosorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Jerking my chin up, my grandfather just smiled at me serenely.
“Things have a way of working out just the way they ought to.”
“Yeah,” I snorted. “I don’t quite believe that.” Like, not even 25.6%.
He chuckled. “You’ve given me a gift. Now I’ll get to spend all of eternity with Elia, who never graduated to spirit master. I can think of no better existence than to spend forever with one of my favorite people. And you can visit any time.”
But … he wouldn’t be able to see Sariah or Donovan until they died—and that was my fault. Guilt pressed in on me once more, augmented by stress, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop crying. The mess of my life finally came to a head. I’d given away my grandfather’s soul stone; my mate lived in a different realm, and I couldn’t be with him; I missed my Dad … and Kaja. My life kinda sucked, and I just let it all out as Gramps rubbed my back while I grieved.
‘Nai, what’s wrong?’Rage’s voice suddenly burst into my mind, and I froze.
I could hear him.‘Rage … I’m okay. Sad about Gramps. How can I hear you?’
His relief flooded through our bond.‘We sealed the mating bond. Nothing can keep us apart now. I’m glad you’re okay. See you soon.’
I sat up and looked at Gramps, noticing his sleepy, heavy eyelids were barely open. My gaze jumped to the bedside clock, and I frowned. How could the entire day get away like that? It was nearly three o’clock, and I needed a snack and a shower before I met up with Rage. I glanced back to my grandfather, and our gazes collided.
“Sorry for the crying fest,” I said, followed by a weak laugh. “I guess I needed that.”
He gave me another one of his patient smiles, the kind that communicated love, acceptance, and so much support. “You’re doing such a great job, Nai. Your mother would be proud, as am I.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, struggling to keep my frayed emotions in check. I stood and kissed his cheek. “Get some rest. You look tired.”
He snorted but held out his book, and I set it on his bedside table before walking to the far wall to draw the curtains. The guilt I’d carried when I stepped into this room had lifted somewhat, and my love for this man had grown immeasurably. By the time I slipped out of his door, I could hear his soft snores.
Checking myself in the hallway mirror, I recoiled at my reflection. Red, blotchy skin; messy, tangled strands of my silvery hair hung in clumps. I was a hot mess.
I grabbed an apple from the kitchen, and Reyna showed me to an opulent room with an ensuite bathroom that would rival anything I’d seen in Rage’s castle. It felt weird having a room here when I really just wanted to live with Rage, but it was necessary for now. I rushed through my shower and was relieved to find clean clothes my size waiting for me in the walk-in closet.
Thanks, Annette.
As I dressed, trepidation fluttered in my chest. Mine? Or Rage’s? The feeling crawled through me, making it impossible for me to relax. I had another thirty minutes before Rage would be in the library, but that didn’t mean I needed to stay here.
Besides, I was way overdue for a visit with my bestie.
Chapter Six
I poppedmy head into Reyna’s room, but the curtains were drawn, and she was out like a light. I was confused at first. Why would she be asleep at 3:30 p.m.? Then I remembered she was Gramps’ shield, and my heart pinched with compassion. I snuck out, and with no one else around, I scribbled a note and left it on the kitchen counter before rushing down the hall toward the passageway to Grandpa’s private office. More unease wormed through me, churning in my gut, and I picked up my pace.
Something felt wrong.
I burst through the door to Gramps’ study and shouted, “Let’s go, Honor.”
He darted past me so fast it was obvious that he’d been waiting.
‘Something’s wrong,’ he said, trotting down the hall.‘I feel it.’
“Do you know what it is?” I replied, and when he didn’t respond, I reached out to Rage. ‘Are you okay?’
No reply. I tried to open to him, but when I did, I felt sick to my stomach like I was going to throw up. Something was definitely off.
Honor loped ahead, and I tried to call up my wolf as she would be faster than my human form, but she cowered back, refusing to take over.Shocker.
So I ran.
