Page 97 of The Stone Survival
“We don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.”
“No. I want to. I’m excited, but I will miss everyone.”
“We’re not leaving forever. We’ll come and visit.” He kissed the top of my head. “Come on. Let’s get some food. Everyone is waiting. Romi arrived five minutes ago too. He’s in the observatory.”
“And Lionel?”
“No, he’s on council business.”
Lionel’s, my brother’s, promotion had come swiftly after the faction was taken down and Ulrickson had resigned his position along with all the other goyles who’d been under faction influence. But Romi had spent the past week getting tested and prodded and probed along with the other goyles who’d been hosts to the infernals. We’d barely had time to catch up and now I was leaving.
“I’ll get Romi and meet you in the dining room.”
“Take your time,” Serath said with a smile.
I kissed his cheek and hurried out of the room.
I found Romi by the window looking out at the sunset. He was wearing his favorite blue sweatshirt and the joggers I’d bought him for his birthday a couple of years ago. It was so good to see him again. Safe and whole and…him once more.
The last few months were a blur for him. He didn’t remember anything after being taken by the faction. Serath’s experience with Ubron was unique due to our bond. But the other goyles all reported that they’d been dreaming. As for Romi’s girlfriend…well, she fit the description of Yolina to a T.
But he was free now. Here now with all of us.
“Hey…” He smiled and ushered me over. “Come give me a hug.”
I fell into his arms, biting back a delighted squeal as he squeezed me and kissed the top of my head. “Love you.” He kissed me again. “So, so much.”
“I love you too.”
“And just when I’m free of all the tests, you’re leaving.”
“I’m sorry. I?—”
“I’m joking.” His expression sobered. “Cameron, honestly, I’m so happy for you. So fucking proud of you and…I’m sobloody grateful. You saved me. You didn’t give up and you saved me.”
I blinked against the heat gathering behind my eyes. “You would have done the same for me.”
He cupped my face. “I would like to think that I’d have had the same convictions but…I don’t know if I would have had the faith that you showed. You believed I was alive, then you believed I could be saved against all odds. I can never repay you for that.”
I covered his hands with mine. “Yes, you can. Live your life and be happy.”
He gave me one of his sloppy smiles. “Oh, I can do that but only if you promise to do it too.”
“Deal.”
He turned us to look at the view, tucking me against his side. “Fuck this cousin bullshit. You’ll always be my little sister.”
I rested my head on his chest. “Deal.”
The evening mealwith the group felt so normal it was difficult to imagine it would be our last one for some time. I set that thought aside and fell into the buzz of conversation, enjoying the aroma of all the delicious foods, and the company of all my friends, all except Ubron.
He’d left soon after the transfer, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss him. But he’d promised to find me when he was done finding himself. The mate bond was gone, but we’d formed a bond of friendship. Maybe we’d bump into him on our travels.
“Cake!” Ginia cried. “And lots of it. That’s what I’d want if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life.”
I tuned back into the conversation.
“Steak,” Curi said.
