Page 62 of Woven Souls

I look away from her, unable to meet her eyes while I let the words slip out.

“I thought when we died, that would be the end of things. Apparently, that’s not in the cards for us.”

Willow snorts. It’s loud, so unladylike and unexpected that I whip my head back around to look at her in surprise. She covers her mouth with her free hand, but it doesn’t stop the laughter that follows. Wiping the tears that have gathered in her eyes, Willow shakes her head.

“Ah yes, the existential questions that keep us all up at night,” she teases when she’s caught her breath. “’What happens to us after we die?’”

Again, I chuckle. When she puts it like that, it does seem a little absurd to worry about. Except…

“Wait, you don’t know?”

Willow shakes her head.

“Nope.” She puts a pop to emphasize the ‘p’ as she shakes her head. “There are rules the dead have to follow, and the biggest one is you can’t speak about what it’s like over there. Even my dad can’t tell me. Your guess is as good as mine.”

I highly doubtthat, but before I can object, Willow steers the conversation in a different direction.

“But I think I get what you mean, Theo. That’s not exactly what you’re referring to, is it?” Her eyes search my face. “This is about the soul thing, isn’t it?”

At my nod, she mimics the motion.

“I really didn’t mean to drag you into my world. You know that, right?” Our eyes lock as she frowns. “I know that dad said you’ll be tagging along for whatever job I get saddled with, but if I can, I’ll make sure your soul rests or whatever the other souls do when they cross over. You’ve been through a lot so far, and we have a lot of life left ahead of us. I can’t imagine what we’ll face once we’re over there. It’s not fair to expect you to jump into something else right away.”

I frown.

“Willow,” I start slowly, realizing that there are many things I haven’t considered yet. “Honestly, the idea of having something to do is a little less daunting than finding myself aimless in the afterlife.”

“Oh.” She tilts her head to one side. “Then what are you concerned about?”

Does she really not see it?

“Your dad claims fate was always supposed to bring you and Kwil together, Willow. But that was just a piece of it. Fate wantedallof us to be together. You may have done the actual binding of our souls, but ultimately, it was fate that brought us all together. It made sure we were compatible and available for a reason.” I shake my head at the enormity of that. “And if this was fate’s original plan from the outset, then everything else, the failures, heartache, and loss… It all happened for a reason. But to what end? Was my father always destined to be the last king? Was I meant to be exiled from the Brotherhood, even after all that I gave it? And what of the others? Do their sacrifices mean nothing if our outcome is to die by the hands of the organization that could very well be affecting the very foundation of our realm?”

Willow’s eyebrows fly upward as her eyes widen.

“Wow, Theo, you’re up here stewing overthis?” With a sigh, she stares around us, her expression becoming contemplative. “I don’t think I’ve ever really given much thought to the purpose of life.” She looks back at me. “I don’t know if I have a good answer for you. You’ve made hard choices both in and outside the Brotherhood, but the fact that you’re still here… It’s a testament to your strength. Could that be the purpose of life? To face, and conquer, impossible odds so your soul is strong for whatever comes next? Or maybe your purpose is to make sure that the people you’re responsible for know they have someone they can count on and trust to help or care for them in a time of need. Can that be enough for you if it is?”

I exhale when I realize I’m holding my breath.

Willow folds her legs under her and scoots closer to me. Her eyes twinkle as she stares up into my face.

“Theo, you put so much weight on your shoulders, I don’t know how you can stand up straight. Give yourself more credit. I know you think you can tackle everything, but you don’t have to lock yourself away to deal with the tough stuff on your own. I’m sure you know, more than anyone, that even kings have advisors they go to for help from time to time. Kings don’t face problems alone.”

The sincerity in her voice and the unwavering admiration twinkling in her eyes gives me no room to doubt a single word. I’m humbled. So much so that I feel like she’s gut punched me. Dragging in a shaky breath, I have to look away before the emotions overwhelm me.

The weight Willow refers to seems to shift. It doesn’t disappear, but I feel it lessening.

Willow gets to her feet and offers her hand to me.

I take it, and she helps me up. With the sweetest of smiles, she adds, “Let’s just take this a day or two at a time, okay? We’ll figure things out, and if we can’t, then good. Life’s no fun without a few surprises here or there. Even if they are of the life and death variety.”

My heart flutters. Shemusthave some sort of ability to sense the unrest of a spirit. It’s the only way she could possibly know me so well in such a short time.

I don’t deserve her. Or this comfort. Not after what I’ve put her through.

Without consciously realizing what I am doing, I take a half step forward to close the distance between us. The movement forces Willow to stare up at me. While I deserve to be looked at with suspicion or fear, Willow stares up at me with absolute trust.

God, I utterly adore this woman.

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