Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“Yeah.” Her voice saddens. “I wish you could too. But I can tell you’re happy there.”
I nod, feeling a warmth wrap around me. “I am. I didn’t think I’d be this happy, but I am, Faye. And it’s such a weird feeling, but it’s good. And look.” I raise my hand to show her my engagement ring.
Her gasp is sharp as she brings her face closer to the mirror. “That violent man asked you to marry him?” she shrieks.
“He did.”
“Oh my gosh! Congrats, Willow. That’s so amazing!”
“Thanks, Faye.” I pause, fiddling with a loose string on my tunic. “It won’t be much of a wedding without you, though. I’d love for you to be there.”
Her eyes sadden a bit. “I don’t know how we can make that happen, Willow.”
“I know.” I press my lips and lower my gaze. “I just miss you so much, Faye. Life is good here, but it’s not the same without you. Or Warren.”
“I understand. I mean, I always thought that if you got married, I’d be there to help you plan the wedding. I’m sure everything will turn out great though.”
“Oh yeah. Maeve and Juniper are already diving into planning and organizing. They’re relentless.”
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “I don’t want you to worry about me or the life you had on Earth, okay? Like you said, other than me, there is nothing and no one for you here. I have mi abuelita and uncle. I have the bookstore. I’m not alone. Yes, I miss the hell out of you, but knowing that you’re okay—that you’re happy—is enough. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
My vision blurs and I sigh, tipping my head back to draw in a breath. “I’ll figure out a way to get you here, at least for the wedding,” I tell her. “If I could get Caz to Earth, I can find a way for you to visit Vakeeli, I’m sure.”
“You can try.” She shrugs. “But if you can’t, just keep the mirror open. I can watch from here.”
“I’ll need a maid of honor. That’s supposed to be you.”
Her eyes are watering now. When a tear glides down her cheek, I squeeze my eyes shut to fight mine.
“I love you so much. And I’m so freaking proud of you,” she says through a wet gasp. “Just…promise to stay in touch. Always. Okay? I’ll carry this mirror with me everywhere. I’ll never miss a call or whatever we’re supposed to call these connections.”
I bubble out a laugh and open my eyes again. My tears fall as she swipes at her face then blows me an air kiss.
“I have to go. Talk soon?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Talk soon. I love you.”
With one more air kiss, the connection ends and I close my mirror, staring at the doors until my vision blurs again.
I can’t help feeling like that call has changed our friendship. Not intentionally, of course, but life will be different now that I’m marrying Caz.
My priorities will change.
My role as lady monarch will bring on more responsibilities.
And what if we want to start a family?
I’ll be doing all of this with my best friend on the other side of the universe, and I never imagined that. I never imagined her not being in my life and me not being in hers through our most significant life events.
I swallow to ward off the thickness accumulating in my throat, but eventually the emotion becomes too overwhelming.
So instead, I lie on the bed, bury my face in the pillows, and release bittersweet tears.
TWELVE
CAZ
Devlin Benton is a piece of work.
No, let me rephrase. He’s an annoying asshole.
After the events at Armistice Night, I contacted his transmitter and told him to come to the Blackwater Tavern so we could have a formal discussion.
The good news is that he did show up. The bad news is he arrived with a whole damn fleet.
Talking to him is like pulling teeth. I ask him what his plans are for Ripple Hills, and he counters it with words like, “As if I’d give the enemy my plans!” or “You can go fuck yourself.”
That last one seems to be his favorite saying.
It takes me nearly three days to get him to cooperate, and that’s only because I give him two bags of rubies. Rubies talk, and while I have his ear, we finally negotiate a deal.
He’ll come to Blackwater twice a week for guidance and training. I’ll teach him most of what I know (not all because I don’t trust the little shit), and we’ll try to make this alliance work in the process.
Neither of us trust each other, so I don’t know how long this wave of peace will last, but at least we’re getting somewhere. And for now, The Council will get off my back about mentoring him.
It’s nearing midnight when I wrap up on the reports for the ruby mining. Conan and the Whisper Grovians have done a great job and have made impeccable allies.