Page 126 of A Drop of Anguish
He blinks, surprised, but takes my hand tightly. We step over the edge and fall in together.
50
He Was Never Yours
The whole world spins, but his hands are around me, and when I land, my heart shatters into a thousand pieces.
But I wouldn’t change that shattered heart for anything because what’s in front of me is terrible and terrifying and everything I’ve prayed for the last several months.
We’re in a new cave system with a low ceiling filled with glowing stalactites hanging down and a beautiful girl with radiant skin, her hands on her hips.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” the jinn says smoothly.
I let the oddly familiar and yet so very foreign voice wash over me, and that’s the moment I know for sure. Instead of shock or panic or happiness or hope, I feelacceptance.There’s sadness too, but I push it to the back of my mind.
I don’t understand how, but I can feel the truth now.
Liz is the jinn.
Which is more confusing than anything else, but it means my sister isalive.
Just when I thought I was finding my footing in my new normal, it’s all flipped again. I want to be happy, but I’m terrified because Liz is Jarron’s chosen.
He’s not yours.
He was never yours.
Something bold and wild and desperate breaks free from my soul.
One moment. That’s all I have left with him.
And screw it all, but I’m going to take it.
I turn around and revel in the pleased surprise in Jarron’s eyes as I tug him down to me. I slam my lips into his. Without missing a beat, he deepens the kiss. That one taste of his tongue on mine sends my body soaring.
He’s not mine.
But right now, for this one moment, he is.
A rumble escapes his chest when I pull away. His eyes are hooded but entirely black. “What was that?” he murmurs.
“A goodbye,” I whisper.
His jaw clenches as confusion drops over his face, but I turn my back on him to face the jinn.
Her glowing skin makes it near impossible to make out her usual features, but her arms are crossed and her hip is popped in a posture that is so very Liz.
“Pleased with yourself, are you?” the jinn bites out.
“Not really,” I say. “I know I won’t win. I won’t fight you. I just needed one more moment before I let him go for good.”
Liz lets out a high-pitched chuckle. “When did you figure it out?”
“Figure what out?” Jarron asks, his voice lower now. I refuse to even glance back at him to gauge his reactions. I don’t want to see the hope bloom in his eyes when he realizes his true chosen is alive. Or worse, I couldn’t bear it if he were torn.
“Don’t you recognize me, love?” she purrs. “My sister clearly does.”
His attention whips to me, instead of staying on Liz. “What?”
