“Find me Adam and Jenna Harmen, now! Lock everything down!” Father’s voice was garbled, but still demanding.
More shouts came after, and I heard someone scream, “There they are!”
Nova was breathing heavy at my side, the two of us all-out sprinting towards the wards that locked us inside.
“Harmen!” Father bellowed, his voice echoing in the foyer. Nova and I looked back, catching sight of his bloody face. It was swollen and bruised, his hair red and his suit stained. He lookedhideous.
We stepped through the wards just as his final scream rang out, and I shadow walked us before he even started running.
The cottage appeared around us, our breathing louder in the confines of it. We stared at one another, neither of us so much as moving for what felt like ages. But then, as if we finally came back to life, we both burst into laughter. Stomach cramping, back bending laughter that made absolutely no sense at all. Because we could havedied.Yet, we laughed.
“You beat the shit out of him!” she howled, gripping her stomach as she leaned forward. I laughed so hard a snort came out, causing both of us to keel over.
“Did you hear…the way…hescreamed?”I could barely breathe, my words coming out between coughs and gasps and uncontrollable chuckles.
“Harmen!” she mocked, shaking her fist in the air. Unable to contain it any more, we toppled to the ground. Laying there, heads almost touching, we burst into another fit.
For a few minutes, all we did was relish in the odd humor. Then, when we’d finally settled down, I turned my head towards her, chest rising and falling in rapid succession. My smile fell as I looked at her, wishing I could turn back time.
“I’m so sorry I let him take you.”
Head falling my way, she smiled, “You didn’t let him do anything. You saved me.Again.Plus, nothing happened. I swear. I’m okay. Maybe that says a lot about the fucked up things I’ve experienced, but I’m honestly fine.”
Sighing, I nodded, facing back up at the ceiling.
“Are you okay?”
Was I? “No. Yes. Both?”
“Being confused is allowed, you know.” Her voice was soft, tone patient.
“Yeah, I know. Or, well, I know that in theory. Hard to do in practice.”
“Want to talk?”
Turning on my side, I said, “Actually, how do you feel about marshmallows and starshine?”
“Alone or together?” she asked, mirroring my movement.
“Together.”
“I feel pretty good about them.”
“Excellent.”
Standing, I made my way to the kitchen, opening the far right cupboard and pulling the marshmallows down. It took effort at this height, reminding me that I still needed the antidote.
“Do you remember where you put the antidote?” I asked, pivoting.
As if she’d known I would ask, Nova stood only a foot away, holding out the antidote with a smile.Hersmile. She was back to herself, her curls a mess and her lipstick smudged. And stars, I loved it. Lovedher.
Taking the vial, I used my teeth to uncork it, nearly groaning at the way her eyes seemed to focus on my mouth as I drank the antidote. Was that wrong after what she’d been through? Did it mean I was no better than my father?
No. I wasn’t like him. Definitely not like Captain Zade. I’d always give her a choice.
My body began to change, the antidote almost hurting as parts of me shifted back. Nova took a step forward, reaching up to touch my hair. “I missed this perpetually perfect hair of yours.”
Grinning, I grabbed one of her curls, wrapping it around my finger. “Agreed.”
