Page 69 of Fade With Me

Zeke’s eyes darted to me, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, before he shifted his gaze back to Izzy.

“It gets better,” he said, motioning for him to come along.

We followed the narrow trail down the cliff’s base, the path twisting sharply as we descended.

The waterfall came fully into view, cascading into a crystal-clear pool framed by weathered stone ledges and lush greenery. The sight left me momentarily still, the sheer beauty overwhelming. I was going to miss this. I glanced at Zeke, only to find his gaze already on me.

Ourwaterfall.

We settled onto the smooth rocks in our usual spot, the rush of water filling the air.

Izzy wandered to the bank, excitement spilling over as he took in the view. In a flash, he vanished and reappeared at the water’s edge, crouched to study the falls up close.

Zeke inched closer, his gaze searching mine, his body at ease but his focus unwavering.

“Are you happy?”

A soft smile tugged at my lips. “In this moment? Yeah, I’m happy,” I whispered.

The roar of the waterfall filled the silence, but my mind was anything but peaceful. The future clung to me like chains: heavy, unrelenting, impossible to ignore. I didn’t want to pull Zeke into this. He didn’t deserve to be tangled in my mess.

What if something happened to him? Guilt coiled tight within me, a sharp knot of fear and uncertainty. I had to protect him, even if it meant pushing him away. He already had enough to deal with as king of an entire realm—one at war, no less. The last thing he needed was to follow me into even more danger. He’d already sacrificed so much, wasted years searching for me. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring. How could I risk taking him along?

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to calm the storm inside my head. I couldn’t ask him to walk into the unknown with me, especially when I still didn’t fully trust him or remember him the way I should. He shouldn’t have to risk his life for someone who wasn’t sure of him, someone still lost in the chaos of her own mind.

It wasn’t fair.

Breaking the silence, I spoke hesitantly. “Zeke, I’ve been thinking…”

He side-eyed me, his brow furrowing, suspicion flashing in his eyes.

“Oh no,” he teased, his lips curving upward. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

But the warmth in his expression did nothing to ease the heaviness in my chest. I looked down at the rocks, my hands fidgeting in my lap, fingers twisting the fabric of my shirt.

“You can’t come with me tomorrow.”

His smile faltered, then disappeared entirely, his body going rigid as his gaze sharpened on me. “What? Of course, I can—”

“No,” I interrupted, my words spilling out faster now. “I can’t drag you across this human realm, on the run with no end in sight. It could take months, maybe even years. You can’t use your powers here without risking exposure, and with that amulet in their hands, you’re not even safe. I’ve thought it through. I can work for two months, save up, and use that to move on to the next place. I’ll keep it going until I figure things out. I can stay in contact with Sadie, and she can help me research.”

Zeke’s jaw clenched, frustration lining his features. He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose before fixing me with a determined stare. “I won’t leave you.Ever.No matter how long this takes or what it costs me. Wherever you go, I’m going too.”

My throat tightened, emotion flooding through me. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, but the wordscame out ragged. “But what if I never trust you enough to fade? What if I never remember?”

His expression relaxed, and he shifted closer, gently brushing a stray curl from my face. His fingers lingered, a subtle, reassuring touch.

“Then we’ll make new ones. Any version of you is enough for me.”

A tear slipped down my cheek before I even realized it. Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him, my hand resting lightly on his chest for balance. It was quick, but when I pulled back, his stunned expression melted into a soft, crooked grin. He closed the distance, his hand gently cupping the back of my neck as he kissed me again, this time longer, deeper, his lips tender but insistent.

When we finally broke apart, his eyes crinkled with a smile, a quiet glow in his gaze making my heart flutter. “What do you say…one last swim?” He spoke low, playful, and full of affection.

My face lit up, the heaviness forgotten—if only for a moment. “Absolutely.”

I stood, feeling a rush of excitement as I slipped off my tank top, revealing the swimsuit beneath, and tossed it onto the rocks. Zeke’s gaze lingered, admiration clear in his eyes.

“Last one in buys ice cream!” I called, winking as I dashed toward the water’s edge, my heart racing.

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