Page 184 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
Once all the bodies had been collected, the police and fae patrol worked to keep small groups going through the deceased to find loved ones.
I allowed the fae to go through the veil to identify any loved ones they’d lost or visit with family before they returned the following day. It was the least I could do for them.
After that, I started working through the rubble with a group that grew larger as time passed. We worked until the sun started setting. While many left, I called up spheres of fae light and continued the grueling work. Needing to fix what I’d help break.
I only stopped when I felt Teddy’s hand on my arm. Her eyes were soft and tired. She stepped in front of me, and when she wrapped her arms around my midsection, I hugged her back. Resting my chin on the top of her head, I heaved out a heavy sigh.
Despite how filthy I was, she kissed my chest. I cupped her cheek and leaned down to press my lips against hers.
“I saved some food for you,” she said.
I drew my brows together in confusion.
“You asked me to put together food for everyone,” she said. “Ry and I have been handing out whatever we were able to find from her house and whatever neighbor was willingto give up some of their food.” This time, her brows drew together, and I ran my thumb over the bridge of her nose. “I asked someone to get you so you could eat. No one told you?”
“I’m not sure,” I told her. “I don’t remember.”
She tugged on my hand and leaned her head to the side. “Come.”
“I will, I just want to finish?—”
“No,” she said. “We can start again tomorrow. Right now, we’re going to Ry’s to shower, eat, and sleep.”
I wasn’t ready to stop. Wasn’t sure I could because then—then, I’d have to remember what I’d done. How I’d failed both my parents. How my parents had failed everyone.
Teddy rested her palm on my chest, and I covered it with my hand.
“Breathe,” she whispered, tucking her head against my shoulder.
I sucked in a breath that wheezed through my lungs. Then another. One breath at a time until the burning in my lungs faded.
When I wrapped my arms around her, she molded her body to mine. I ran my hand over the top of her disheveled hair and pressed my nose to the top of her head so I could breathe her in.
My heart. The other part of my soul, who’d promised she wouldn’t leave me, but help me survive this tumultuous turn in my life.
“I love you.” I wrenched the words from my heart and offered them to her.
She tilted her head up and kissed my chin. “I love you.”
Her hand slid to mine, and when she tugged me forward again, I followed. Our walk to Ryenne’s home was quiet and slow. While I could’ve bent space and taken us there, Ipreferred the walk and the ease of our slow steps. The rhythm of her breathing. The way she peered up at me and sometimes kissed my shoulder.
I’d survive this. Would make sure my mother survived it too.
Grandma Richter greeted us on the front porch and hugged me to her small frame when she took me in. I only let go of Teddy to return Grandma Richter’s hug, but I quickly sought her out when she stepped back.
“How is she?” I asked her.
“She still has a lot more tears to cry,” Grandma Richter replied. “Brenton’s with her now. You go on and take your shower. I’ll heat your food.” She patted my cheek so softly I barely felt it. “I’ll be spending the night with your mom tonight. You rest up and let my girl take care of you.”
I swallowed past the emotions swelling in my throat and managed to croak out athank you.
Before we went inside, I looked up at the dark sky glistening with millions of stars shining around the clouds. Small, quiet snowflakes fell on my face, and for a few beats, I stood there, taking in the frigidity that trailed around me.
“Have you seen Nalari?” I asked.
Teddy shook her head. “She and the dragons left with the thunderbirds after everything. I haven’t heard from her since,” she said, guiding me to a hallway bathroom, where clothes for both of us had been placed on the vanity. “No one’s seen any of them.”
Nalari had left, probably disappointed in all my failures too.
