Page 71 of Reign of Light
“Stass.”
She throws her arms around me, pulling me tight, and I squeeze her back, my shoulders shaking as we cry into each other. All the thoughts escape my mind as I say my first goodbye to someone who showed me I belonged here, who wasn’t afraid to tell me what she thought, and urged me to trust all of them. I’ve told Stass how I’ve felt about her before, and how much I would miss her.Willmiss her. But I almost startle when she mumbles in my ear so that only I can hear.
“Whatever you do, don’t let that go.” I squeeze my eyes shut as another round of tears pours down my cheeks. “Most people only dream about what you have, and they never find it. Trust me. I know. Don’t let fear or duty or anyone else’s opinions take it away from you.”
I nod fiercely into her shoulder and hold her tight until she pulls away, leaving me to swipe at my face.
“I’m going to miss you, Stass.”
“Of course you are.” She winks as she steps back in front of Weston, but before she stops, a startled look passes over her face. “Oh! I almost forgot.”
Her shoulders pull back as she stands a little taller and strides across the deck, right to Taril. He was quiet the entire time she said goodbye, even when it was his turn, only giving her a shy hug and a wave. The look on Stass’ face says she’s up to something. Whistles break out, followed by Jorn’s crow as her hands fist in his shirt and she pulls him down toward her, pressing a firm kiss to his lips. She breaks away, leaving him looking stunned as he stares down at her, but she only pats his chest gently.
“If you’re ever in Akarion, come find me.” She spins on her heel, her hair whipping over her shoulder and a smile on her face as she crosses the deck again and stands in front of Weston.
“Alright, Captain. I’m ready.” He holds the pouch out toward her, loosening the string enough so she can reach inside. A bright yellow glow seeps through her fingers as her fist clenches around the dust, and a single tear falls down her cheek as her chin trembles slightly.
“I love you all,” she says, lifting her hand just over the crown of her head. Granules drift down over her face, lodging in her eyelashes, and falling onto her shoulders. Then before our eyes, her body starts to shimmer…and fade, and Stassia disappears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“I’m ready too, Captain,” Auralie calls out as she stands and swipes at her tears.
“Me too,” Eirlik grunts from the other side of the deck.
Noise erupts from the crowd as more of us agree they are ready to leave. Goodbyes start as crew and Voyagers turn to those beside them, wrapping their arms around each other, gripping shoulders and patting backs. It’s as if time slows as I watch tears get wiped away, and others unable to suppress giant smiles. Ryum claps Veck on the back in a firm hug, then turns to do the same with Eirlik. Auralie flits around saying her sweet goodbyes, and all at once, the moment I wasn’t ready for has arrived.
This is it.
This is the end of Dawnlin.
The Castaways, who I once feared and hated, have become my home; the Voyagers my friends. And now I have to tell each of them goodbye.
Laughter rumbles through the air as a group of the boys approach Jorn and proceed to fight and wrestle each other to the ground one last time, shoving each other away with playful grins. Once they’ve had their fun, they form a line and walk right to Weston, each of them taking their turn to shake his hand and pull him into a hug.
He was the captain, for so many years. They respected him, trusted him, but they also loved him just as much as he loved them. They are letting him go the same as he is to them.
My body feels numb as it tries to protect itself from the pain of every goodbye. The moment the next person steps in front of me, a new wave of grief consumes my thoughts. Every hug and tear shed is a hope that they know how much I will miss them, and how much they have impacted my life, for the better.
The line wraps around the deck, slowly moving as each person grabs their share of dust and drops it over themselves, disappearing just before the next takes their place to do the same. When Gauge makes his way in front of Weston, his smile contagious, even with the blanket of sadness surrounding us.
“Just when I find out I actually like you all,” he says, beaming as his head swivels between the four of us, before focusing back on Weston. “I wish I had longer with you.”
Weston raises an eyebrow. “No, you don’t.”
“You’re right,” Gauge says with a laugh. “No, I don’t. But you’re pretty bad ass, Captain. I wish I could have learned a thing or two from you.”
The corner of Weston’s mouth turns up as he claps Gauge on the shoulder. “If you’re ever in Blackwood and want to train with the guards, just come to the castle and ask for me. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“I won’t forget it, Captain.” His smile brightens further before he reaches into the pouch and grabs a handful of dust. He waves one final goodbye before he drops it into his hair and disappears.
Sawyer takes his place, but when something squeezes my leg, my breath falters as I pull my attention away.
Oh no.
The inevitability of the goodbye I’ve been avoiding hits me like a firm blow to the gut. I squeeze my eyes shut, the tears falling steadily now as I tilt my chin and open them slowly, only to look down into Fin’s smiling face.
“Lennox! You found it! You found what mister Weston was looking for!”
