Page 104 of The Song of Sunrise
“I think that was the furthest I’ve gotten with my control,” I watch as his thumb circles once more. “It is… hard to describe what I saw up there. Each star is linked to another, like a web.”
“Are we not all linked in some way?”
“I suppose we are. Each memory is a result of an action, each choice with its own set of reactions, linked to one another with no beginning or end.”
“A circle,” he purrs, then lifts my wrist to his mouth, planting a soft kiss in the spot where his thumb was previously.
My whole body clenches at his touch. His lips sear into the memory of my skin. Once my trembles subside, I adjust so we are next to one another once more.
“I want to try one more time.”
“I’ll be right here.”
There is comfort in knowing Atlys is next to me, like an anchor to a wayward ship. I drift up again, this time getting to the web much quicker. Around me, the stars pulse with ancient power, magnificent and all seeing.
There. The same star blinks at me, its presence the same one I tried to connect with earlier. I don’t know how I know, but I do. There is a sort of familiarity with it. I glide down the string closer to the star, slower this time as I approach. My vision flashes suddenly with a scene of an oak tree. Two people are pressed against one another at the base, kissing feverishly. The man begins sucking on the woman’s neck, and she moans, tipping her head up in ecstasy.
I step away, trying to give them privacy, only to fall backward, down and down and down.
“I saw something!” I gasp. My body is trembling like before, but I know what to expect this time. “A beautiful tree, with turning leaves. Two people were underneath the canopy kiss—” I stop myself and blush.
Atlys turns on his side to study me, strands of his white hair falling forward to shade his eyes. “See something you like?”
I just admire him for a moment, the sharp angles of his nose and chin and his full lips tilting up on one side. “Yes.”I do see something I like.A bold strike of courage fuels my next words before I think too much. “Can we stay here for a while longer?”
We lie on the pile of furs for a while, gazing at one another, measuring the passage of time by the lazy hoots of an owl in the distance or the dainty flakes of snow now falling around us. Does he see me as differently as I do him? So otherworldly and opposite of what I should be attracted to, and yet it is his face I think of at night.
After a while, I adjust to my other side, facing away from him. Atlys drapes a heavy arm around my waist and pulls me closer instinctually, but then freezes, likely realizing his movements. The space between us charges with energy, an unanswered question in the air. I move closer until we are flush, feeling the firm muscles of his chest and abs as well as another,very large, firm area pressing into my ass.
Despite his clear interest in me, Atlys doesn’t make any advances, only holding me until I feel myself begin to rest. And, inexplicably, I feel safe. I almost laugh at the thought. The most dangerous Underworld Lord makes me feel safe, like the warm kiss of the sunrays after a long winter’s night. Something his people haven’t been allowed to see for the past one hundred years because of old biases and treaties.
“Do you miss the sunlight?” I ask.
“Not anymore.”
“Why?”
Atlys pushes the hair away from my neck with his chin, the short stubble from his jaw scratching against my skin, and my toes curl. His lips brush against my earlobe as he whispers, “Because I have you, my Sunrise.”
36
Try Harder
Lacerta’s funeral procession has wrapped around the entirety of the Watch’s grounds until ending in front of the frozen lake where chairs are now set up in clean rows, slanting downward facing the rocky beach. The morning sun peeks from behind the distant mountains, bright against the clear blue skies, making it look deceptively warm outside, though it’s the middle of winter. The Hevel family is clustered together at the front, hugging, rubbing backs, and wiping tears from their eyes. Yet one figure stands still, watching as the casket is carefully lowered by tendrils’mystinto the ground. Leo’s shoulders remain taut and his jaw clenched as he watches his twin being laid to rest.
Sure, becoming a Watcher has its risks. WatchTowers across the human territories each expose their guards to danger, from aggressive bands of nomads to rogue Underling attacks that require assistance. Even entering the Summit has been known to be deadly.
It is one thing hearing the stories.
It is another thing experiencing them.
Leaf reaches from my right and laces his fingers in mine. I find Ramona’s hand, and she, Castor. And in a moment, we are all linked. Our hands woven together in the tightest of braids, silently recognizing how quickly life can unravel. I’m sad, happy, grateful, and terrified at the same time. Terrified to lose these people next to me I’ve come to love, and so dearly grateful for them as well. No words properly describe this immense pressure within my chest knowing that I have these people in my life, and somewhere out there, my other family exists too. In my vision, I saw Rosie, Bane, and Nickel alive and well. I’m not sure if Row made it, but I can only hope. One day, I will find them. A stronger version of me that can protect them from harm, ideally with the Helios Stone in hand.
Leaf squeezes my hand, always keenly aware of my emotions. I rest my head on his shoulder as the service finishes. As a Sun’cher, he is naturally warmer than most, which I would normally find comforting to shield against the crisp winter air, but today, the cold doesn’t bother me. In fact, I can barely feel it at all.
After the service, I happily lose myself in Battlefield class. I’ve been practicing with Marrow’s staff, which has a doubling effect in my training due to the amount of energy it takes to channel amyrage, disguising the golden staff as a regular wooden one while fighting an opponent. I’m happy for the amount of mental and physical exertion spent in the class, even earning a rare comment of praise from Commander Hogsmith.
I’m utterly exhausted. Physically spent.
