Page 64 of Touched

I catch the look he shoots Ma. They’re communicating. I’m certain of it. "I promise, Da." My words are laced with solemnity.

I understand the seriousness of the situation.

"Aeris," Ma begins, her voice tinged with fear, resignation, and a hint of understanding, "you're really going, aren't you?"

Da cups my shoulder once more, squeezing it, before he releases me.

Nodding at him as a ball of emotion forms in my throat, I turn to face her, struggling to keep my emotions in check. My voice is thick as I answer. “I have to, Ma. You of all people should understand."

Ma's eyes fill with tears, but she nods, taking a shaky breath and smiling though her lips tremble. "Yes. I do understand, Aeris. When your father and I Zinged… worlds could have crumbled around us… and it wouldn’t have mattered."

I throw my arms around her, my own tears starting to flow.

After a long embrace, Ma pulls back and clears her throat. She dabs at the moisture leaking from her eyes with the pads of her hands. “Go on. Pack your things. Da and I will figure out what to tell the queen and… the Elders.”

They understand… they’ll support us.

They have to… right?

Grateful, I nod, wiping away my tears with the tips of my fingers.

As I turn to leave the room, my gaze meets Cyrus’s. His green eyes glow with emotion. Within their depths, I see fear, worry, sadness, and love. His lips compress as he stares at me. Finally, he nods as he exhales, smiling slightly.

Smiling back, quickly, I turn to walk to my room. Da’s words echo in my mind:“You will not face them alone.”My heart swells with love for my family. Their support means more to me than I can put into words. I also know he's right about the challenges. I must believe that Callum and I can face whatever comes our way.

Just as I'm about to cross the threshold of my door, a warm hand on my shoulder stops me in my tracks. Turning, I face my brother, my eyes again meeting his. The air between us thickens.

"So, you're going off on an epic adventure, huh? Just promise me you’ll be careful, Aeris. Be safe. Don’t forget about us mere Fae.”

I laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I’ll do my best. And I could never, Cy. With me leaving Laric, I’ll need you to act out a little. Do something crazy! You know, someone has to keep things interesting around here."

He rolls his eyes. "You have no idea how interesting my life actually is, Aeris,” he replies, winking. His expression turns serious. "You know, this isn’t like one of those adventures in the human romance books you read?"

"I know it isn’t," I reply. "But it's something I have to do. Just wait until you Zing, Cy." I playfully punch his arm.

He groans. “I like my life just as it is, thank you.” His lips twist again as his eyes pulse. “I’ll miss you, Aeris. Be safe,” Cyrus says, his voice surprisingly steady.

I used to envy his ability to control his emotions. Haphazardly, I swipe at the tears seeping from my eyes again.Still do.“I’ll miss you, too, Cyrus. This isn’t goodbye. It’s just see you soon.”

Cyrus pulls me into a rough hug. “Be safe.”

“Aeris!”Ma’s panicked voice interrupts us.

Both Cyrus and I turn to face Ma as she rushes down the hallway. She frantically gestures behind her as she shrills, “There’s a troll named Trevor at the wards… asking foryou.”

“What?” My voice rises and fear tightly grips me.

Did something happen to Callum?

No. He’s safe. He’s fine.

I would know if he wasn’t.

Wouldn’t I?

“Where the fuck are you, LeBlanc?”

I listen as Lieutenant Antoine yells for several minutes about how reckless I am, the call sporadically breaking up from the lack of service out here in the boonies. I firmly gather he’s pissed as all get out as he reminds me numerous times that my intel was bad.

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