Page 64 of Myths and Manuscripts
“Don’t let it end like this.” His voice was so quiet I almostmissed it.
Did he mean the story...or us? And was there even an us without the book?
The sad expression on Thorne’s face was too hard to look at. Giving up on writing this book would hurt him, but if I submitted it and the fans hated it, it would hurt us both. How had I let this all get so messed up? I never should have gotten so close to him. If we weren’t together, then I could have just told him the ending I chose was right and I didn’t care what he thought.
Except I did care. I cared so much it hurt.
This wasn’t what I signed up for.
“I’m done.” I crossed my arms over my chest, gripping my sides tight. “I’m just not cut out to be a writer, so there’s no point in finishing the book. I quit.”
I tossed my manuscript on his bed as golden light filled the room, enveloping me in magic that felt very familiar. Then it was gone and so was Thorne. I blinked, turning to take in all the bookshelves and tables and the many patrons filling the Misty Mountain Library.
Relief flooded my body. I was back. I could finally go home!
I turned, half expecting to see Thorne standing there, but he hadn’t followed me out of the book. I knew deep down he wouldn’t. I’d seen that pained look on his face before. In the mirror.
My eyes burned from exhaustion and from the hot tears welling up. I started making my way outside but stumbled across Nyssa and Oren in a circle of books on the floor surrounding the great book tree.
“Willow!” Nyssa leapt up, pulling me into a hug as a grin spread across her face. “I’m so glad you’re back safely!”
“But how is she back?” Oren took his glasses off to clean them as he squinted at me. “Did you figure out how the magicworked or use a relic or something?”
Nyssa winced. “Relics definitely didn’t work for us. We kind of exploded a few trying to get you out.”
They seemed so happy, but I could barely process their words. The look of agony on Thorne’s face was the only thing on my mind.
“I have to get home, sorry.” I pushed past them as fast as I could. “I’ll come back later and we can talk!”
The moment I was back in the forest I loved so much, I let the tears fall. I cried so hard I could barely see as I stumbled down the mountain. This was why I never got close to anyone. It always ended in disappointment and someone hurting the other.
It was easier to be alone.
Chapter 27
Thorne
The fires in the castle were burning low and a chill hung in the air. The darkened hallways reminded me of the first time I’d woken up here, the cracks in the walls leading me along. I ran my fingers across them, feeling every crumbly piece. I thought they all disappeared, but maybe the cracks were just hiding behind a pretty exterior for a while, fooling me into thinking this place was cozy. Like how I’d fooled myself into thinking I could be something other than a villain.
Why couldn’t I have just gone along with Willow’s plan to kill the King? I’d never wanted my story to end with me as some kind of golden hero unwilling to do what was needed. I was supposed to do whatever it took to protect the people I loved, even if that meant killing somebody who obviously needed killing. The King would just keep harming my people if he was alive. She’d written a perfectly fine ending, going above and beyond what I’d asked of her.
So why had my blood run cold when I read it?
Everything in me had screamed that something was wrong, that that wasn’t me, but it was exactly the version of me that Willow and I had discussed so many times. What else had I expected?
And why hadn’t I followed her when she got out of the book?I should be happy for her, elated that Misty finally figured out how to bring her back to her own world, but the ache in my chest wouldn’t go away no matter how I tried to rationalize it.
She’d quit. Not just on the book, but on me. On us.
“My lord!” Dain shouted as he ran over to me, sliding to his knees across the rough stone floor. “I am so sorry. I brought the hero back to his people like you said, but I lost track of him after that.” He bowed his head low. “I am a terrible bodyguard and should be punished.”
“Calm down.” I grabbed his arm, trying to get him to stand up. “He’s the hero, so I’m sure he’s just fine. Asking you to watch over him was unnecessary and with Willow gone...”
I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. Saying it would mean she wasn’t coming back.
“My lord?” Dain moved a little closer, as if he was going to offer some kind of support, but thought better of it. He stood at attention instead. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll get it done. I’ll find a way to bring her back if that’s what you desire.”
“Just go home.” I shook my head, moving past him toward the kitchen. “Willow’s gone, so I don’t need your services anymore. Tell everyone that the castle is closed. Nobody comes in and I won’t be going out anymore either.”
