Somewhere far away, another life where magic didn’t exist, that led to me meeting Nova naturally. We’d hold hands and sneak kisses, only for our friends to catch us. Talon and Dove would be there, both of them happy and loved by their family. I’d have never been raped in that world, because Benadell Zade would have called me adorable and pesky. She’d have baked us cookies and told us to go outside. My mother would have had ten children, not because she had to, but because she wanted to and could. My father would have chased me around the castle—no, a cottage—when I was a toddler, offering tickles and teases when he caught me.
I could see myself meeting Nova’s parents, her mother loving me instantly and her father purposefully running over my foot with his chair, only to eventually call me son when I asked them both if I could marry their daughter. Celeste would have called mepretty boyand told me she was happy Nova found me. Deathwould crawl on my lap and bite my finger as I carved Nova and I’s initials into rings I hand made.
In that place, thatperfectplace, everything was right.
“I’m going to give you all some space. If you need any help with…digging,let me know.”
Desi’s voice shattered my mirror world, the sparkling silver frame cracking as the glass fled its confines. Real life came barreling back into my consciousness, where Nova had nearly died and Talon lay truly dead. Where war loomed and all of our parents hated us. The world we’d earned ourselves.
“Thanks, Desi,” I said, my voice oddly hollow, void of the pain that felt like a beast consuming me.
After the click of the door sounded, signaling Desi and Jonah’s departure, Caleb stood.
“What now?” he asked. I turned to face him, his bloodshot eyes and rosy cheeks making tears once again trickle down my face.
“We bury our brother,” I said.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Nova
“Dad always says that lying is unforgivable.”
-From the journal of Nova Tershetta, 9248 AS
For the first time in months, I woke up feeling…okay. Maybe more than okay. I woke up feeling relieved. At peace.
I knew it was because he was gone. Talon, who stole my family from me, was dead. That alone was gratifying. But to know that he had been forced to hear me say I’d never forgive him? That he’d never be redeemed in my eyes? That was pure bliss.
I was greedy like that.
Celeste would have loved what I said. She’d always been good at holding grudges and getting revenge. When we were young, she’d defend me so well that people would fear speaking poorly of me. I was glad to at least have the chance to do so for her, even if it was too late.
When my eyes fluttered open, it was to the sight of Azazel, his stars-painted hair still coated in blood, his normally vibrant eyes dull and bloodshot. Tears stained his cheeks, cleaning a path down his skin that was otherwise stroked with dirt and blood.
“Az?” I asked, my voice a stained croak that burned the entire way down. “Where are we?”
“Our cottage. You’re okay. We’re all safe.”
All?
Stars, did he save Talon?
Sitting up, I grimaced as my body protested, the pain stronger now that adrenaline no longer fueled me. Or maybe it was the lack of revenge pushing me forward.
Az’s large, ring-clad fingers wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our foreheads kissed. “Thank you for saving me, Little Void.”
Sighing, I leaned forward and let the tip of my nose graze his. I breathed in his scent, though the reek of blood tainted it. Inhaling deeply, I dared to turn towards the rest of the cottage, seeing the other three cores huddled around the sofa, where Talon lay. His eyes were closed, his hands folded neatly across his chest, the gaping wound below now gone. I stared and stared and stared at him.
Not breathing. Definitely dead.
Despite the many months we’d spent together and how much I’d once cared for him, I felt no sorrow at the sight of his lifeless body. Unlike the cores around him, I continued to revel in his absence.
“Sorry for forcing you awake. I just thought…well, I selfishly want you with me while we bury Talon.” For all Az’s strength and confidence, his voice wavered as he spoke—breaking and cracking with each word.
“I’m here,” I whispered, lacing my fingers behind his neck and pulling him in until our cheeks grazed. He laid his chin on my shoulder, his body shaking and cold. “I’ll always be here.”
We moved at a slow pace from there. Az helped me up, practically lifting me off the bed, Zura standing nearby ready to catch me. They were all bruised and bloody, but no one seemed to care. So unusual for the group of cores who valued their image more than most things.
