Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
I’m okay, she thought, focusing on breathing. I thought I had beaten fear. Occasionally, I feel it when I’m going up against a magical person I’m not ready for, but otherwise, I thought I was pretty tough. That I could stare death in the face without blinking. That I could stay logical in the worst situation. I’ve trained for it, you know? But fuck, bro, this is throwing me for a loop. And that darkrend—that thing scared the crap out of me. I might not be any good to you, Tarian. I mean, besides the lack of magic, I might not have the courage for any of this. I’m having some…second thoughts.
Still clutching her tightly, Tarian held out a thumbs-up for the others. He didn’t comment for a moment as he watched them pull away. It felt like he was giving her some privacy, the moment turning intimate, allowing her to work through these thoughts.
The leap in her heart at the possibility was unexpected and even a touch unsettling. The warmth within her that he should care, that he might try to comfort her, help her, was even more so.
Fuck, this is a terrible situation. A really terrible, awful situation. For the first time in a long time, emotion welled up, and tears filled her eyes. Homesickness. Desperation. She didn’t want to die. She didn’t want to fly to her doom. She wanted to go home and see Lexi and Mordecai again. She wanted to chat with Bria, play games with Amber, and crack jokes with the guys. She shouldn’t be here. She couldn’t do this.
Shh, shh, shh, Tarian cooed softly, huddling around her. Soothing emotions also came from Stratow. I know this is hard. It’s a lot, all of this. You’re in an entirely different realm with strange and dangerous new creatures. All without preparing. That darkrend scared me, too. It scared us all. Flying like this, when your kind is not used to it—not even naturally capable of it—has got to be terrifying. But you are tough, Daisy. You’re the toughest, most courageous human I’ve met. You’re smart and you’re fierce and you do not say die. That darkrend scared you, but it did not get the better of you like it did the rest of us. I know you will do whatever is necessary to reach the end of this. You’ll protect your family. You’ll kill a bunch of fae even though the odds are against you. You, above anyone, will survive. You were built for it. There is a way. We simply need to find it.
He hugged her tightly, his other arm coming around to join the first. A tear overflowed, and she had to clench her jaw to keep the sobs at bay, surprised by his speech. Surprised by how much hearing those words meant to her. Surprised by how much she wanted to fall apart in his arms.
She struggled to pull it all back in. To regain some of her former strength.
Right now, you don’t need to be tough, he murmured. Right now, you can give in and let go. Purge. We have a few hours. Lean against me. I won’t let you fall.
With that, she completely fell apart. She allowed herself to drop her guard and give in to it. Give in to this moment, to the fear and the uncertainty. With him holding her, she closed her eyes and gave herself over to his safekeeping.
The tears came, fat and painful. The memories of her life with her family played through her mind bittersweetly. She hoped they had stayed in the human realm—stayed safe. She hoped they’d lead long lives filled with love and laughter and adventure.
Thinking of them, she was reminded of why she had agreed to this in the first place. It was there she found renewed strength. Because even if she would never see them again, they would live on. They’d be sad to lose her, but they’d have each other. They’d laugh at family dinners and relax with a glass of wine in the living room together. Someone would take over guarding Mordecai’s back, probably Bria, and everyone would make sure to check in with Dylan periodically to ensure he was doing okay. They’d handle this. Their light and love would continue, and she would continue through their memories.
Her crying reduced to sniffles, and she stared out at nothing for a while, the crisp air sweeping by them, nothing but a light breeze within Tarian’s magical bubble. The air smelled fresh and rich, a balm for all that ailed her. The sky sparkled overhead, like someone had sneezed glitter all over it.
I thought fae were supposed to be vicious and awful, she mused idly, watching the other stormbacks and their riders soar around them. Not comforting and supportive and uplifting.