Page 115 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

Hook breathes a sigh of relief. “I knew you were never a dud Fae. You were always too special. Thank you for doing what I couldn’t. Thank you for saving us.”

But in this form, I realize that isn’t true. I may have saved us from the Hunters, but I can already sensethemdrawing closer.

I’m also growing weaker by the minute. And even though I knew my limit had not even begun to be reached, I had kept it locked away for too long and in turn it had burned through me too quickly.

I won’t be able to fight them when they arrive.

But maybe I don’t have to. I grip the small, black box in my hand.

I have something that can save us. Or savehim.

My heart sinks when I realize what I must do. What choice I must make in order to keep Hook safe and alive. All this time I was lost without him and now I’ll be lost once again.

Pain like no other spreads through my body, my heart feeling as if it was twisting and tearing into two.

How can I be in so much pain and not bleed?

I didn’t want to leave him. I didn’t want to go back to a world where pain only existed. Back to a place that never showed me love or care, and that only ever saw me as a weapon.

I didn’t want to break any of the promises I made to him.

“I can no longer move but I wish I could hold you right now. Touch you,” he breathes.

My eyes find his as he stares right at me, unblinking. “I can see it in your eyes. You thought I’d fear you, didn’t you? But I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. More magnificent. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know it.”

My heart clenches in agony at his words and he frowns as if feeling it too.

I open my mouth to tell him how sorry I am for what I’m about to do, only to freeze, sensing them draw closer.

With not much time left, I quickly place the necklace around his neck. Holding it in place with his hand over it, I pull on the mate bond between us, the warmth that tethers us together and hope that it will still work this way.

Hook’s eyes widen. “What are you doing?”

Keeping hold of his hand, I focus on the one thing I want it to do. To protect him. To keep him hidden from those that are coming here. Those that will hunt and kill him without a second thought.

“Tink!”

Closing my eyes, I focus on the pendent and push everything I have left into the mate bond between us, willing the necklace to grant this one wish for me.

After a moment, the necklace pulses as if answering my worries making my fears slowly ebb and ease.

I open my eyes as Hook fights to stay conscious. His eyes are starting to droop from exhaustion, his breathing shallow.

“What… did… you—”

“I love you, Hook. I think I’ve loved you for a long time now. But I was just too stubborn and foolish to see what those feelings really meant.” I shake my head at myself, already missing what could’ve been between us if we had been given the chance.

“But it’s too late now. I’m always too late.” I blink back the burning tears threatening to spill.

“Goodbye, Hook.” Hook’s eyes widens as he tries to reach for me, but he’s now completely paralyzed from the neck down. Not wanting him to use any more of his powers, weakening himself further, I push a pulse of power toward him, knocking him out.

Before they arrive, I push everything I have left in me into him, hoping to quicken his healing. I give him every last drop of energy, hoping it will aid him in some way.

My body sways as I watch the blackened lines start to recede until they’re completely gone.

Relief fills me as I quickly check all his wounds and find all black strings gone and most of them nearly completely healed.

“I hope one day you can forgive me and find happiness,” I murmur as I look over him, trying to remember every detail of his face.

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