Page 120 of Heart of Dawn
“I’m your friend?”
“Indeed, you are.”
“Cool.” He slapped Basil on the back.
The fae took it in his stride, actually genuine, not pulling off some fine acting. “And I will love again.”
“Who did you love before?”
Basil aimed a smile at me. “Orion.”
Cue some gasps.
Cue me shrinking into the sofa.
Cue Trev chuckling.
Ugh.
“Does Miko know this?” Malorie wondered.
“Yes,” I said. “But it’s…” Oh, stars. Why did I have to blush so hard?
“Water under the bridge,” Basil interjected. “I love Orion as a friend. I am happy for him and his mate. Now I must find one of my own.”
“That’s the spirit!” Arlo cheered.
The embarrassment over, I sat up again.
Phew.
Trev changed the subject. “What do you think they’re up to out there?”
“Assessing the town,” Malorie said.
I took the troll’s big hand. “Don’t worry, I’m nervous too.”
“You’re the best, mate.”
“Us werewolf paramours need to stick together.” I practically gagged on my own words. “Scratch that. Forget I said anything.”
“You sound like him,” Arlo responded, nodding at Basil.
With that, we burst into laughter, some of our worries alleviated until the others returned.
When the sun came up, we experienced our first morning in two years without pink smoke and zombie sounds.
I think everyone shed a few tears at that realization.
The next night, Miko found a letter stuck to the front door with tape.
It was from Daria, written in elegant scrawl:
Dearest of friends,
I wish to inform you of my survival and praise you for the end of Dawn.
Thank you.
