[Fineon’s POV]Returning home was a bittersweet thing, given the circumstances we were returning under. Whether it should have been a time of celebration, it was instead a moment of saying welcome back and saying goodbye.As we made landfall and began to unload, Fallon rushed off to see her parents and allowed herself to get lost in their embrace.Deciding that the moment should be strictly for family, I stay back as the tears begin to fall."You want to help us with this?" Ramone asks, coming up behind me. "He’s a bit heavy."Nodding, I turn and follow him back onto the boat to collect Cyrus’ body, allowing Fallon and her parents to be alone with each other.Inside the cabin, I can feel the chill of death pressing against my skin, and it makes the fact that Cyrus and Gavin are gone that much more real. Now all that was left to do to say goodbye was give them the proper send-off that they deserved.Sighing, I move forward and help Ramone collect Cyrus first so that his parents could s
[Fallon’s POV]A month passed in a blur before things were finally beginning to become normal once again. With things being so hectic, I didn’t get to see much of Fineon since he seemed to always be busy, but this time when we met, I wasn’t going to let him go until he told me what it was that he was up to.I manage to find Fineon heading out of dad's office with a look of frustration on his face."What’s wrong?" I ask, startling him."F-Fallon!" he gasps, taking me in. "Why are you...""Here?" I offer for him, moving forward. "Because if I wasn't, you would find some way to evade me like you have been doing for the past month."At my words, his expression shifts from shock to guilt. So he was intentionally avoiding me, which is interesting."Anyway, I was hoping you’d come somewhere with me today," I continue, wrapping my arms around his and squeezing. "Saying no is not an option.""But…""No buts!" I snap. "Come on."Giving a tug, I begin to move, dragging Fineon until we arrive at
[Hindrick’s POV]"Welcome back!"Uncle Elleric doesn’t wait before he pulls me into a hug, crushing me against him and making me extremely uncomfortable.Growling, I work to break free, and once I manage to achieve my goal, I take a few steps back."Ever the stoic," he chuckles, taking me in. "Can’t you drop the act just for a day? You’ve been gone for a month, and you didn’t even bother to send word.""Because I was busy cleaning up the mess that was left behind," I point out. "Anyway, I didn’t come here for a heartfelt family reunion."At my words, Uncle Elleric’s face grows serious, and I get the feeling that he is expecting me to deliver a killing blow."Don’t worry," I sigh before his head can come up with some ridiculous scenarios, "it isn’t anything like that. I was actually asked a favor by an idiot.""Fineon?" Uncle Elleric asks, knowing perfectly well who I would be referring to. I didn’t know if I was that obvious or if he also saw Fineon as a fool. "Or is it Chance?"I bit
[Idris’ POV] "Are you sure you’re going back?" Mom’s eyes begin to fill with tears as she waits for a response. I don’t know exactly what she expects me to say. "Yes, I am. It’s been a month since Mateo and his underlings were killed, and the academy is finally reopening. As a student, I am required to go back." She knew that I still had a year left before I graduated. I couldn’t just never go back, no matter what had happened since the school shut down. "But…" "Don’t give him a hard time," Dad warns, cutting her off while wrapping a comforting arm around her. "The academy is one of the safest places on the continent, and the threat is gone. I’m sure the next year will simply fly by." "That’s right," I add, taking advantage of dad’s opening for me to leave. "I promise to keep in touch, and before you know it, I’ll be back to irritate the hell out of you." "You heard him," Dad beams, squeezing her closer. "Now, you should allow him to head out; otherwise, he won’t make it there
[Fineon’s POV] Why am I here? Why did I even bother coming? Was I a glutton for punishment or something? Feeling my heart squeeze painfully, I stare up at the mansion where my first and only love lives. Inside I’m sure she is somewhere smiling and laughing, but that smile and that laughter aren’t meant for me. No, they’re meant for someone else. Feeling a knot form in my throat, I lift a finger and hook it under the tie that has been fastened too damn tightly. Giving a tug, I hope to find some relief, but find that I still feel like I’m suffocating. "Fineon?" My older sister, Andira, calls out, drawing my attention away from Fire Rose's pack house. "Are you okay? I’ve called your name three times now." "Yeah," I respond, forcing a smile. "I’m alright, just a little tired." For a moment, Andria doesn’t speak as she takes me in. "Could you stop?" I ask, beginning to feel uncomfortable. "Shouldn’t we be heading in instead of standing around out here?" "You’re right!" Andria gasps
[Fineon’s POV]The world around me sways as I chug the burning liquid that still rests in my cup. This is drink number eight, maybe nine? I don’t know and frankly I don’t give a damn. As long as they keep doing the job of numbing my emotions they could keep coming!"Another," I announce, fixing my bleary gaze on Jim’s. “Make it a double.”"Don’t ya think you’ve had enough Fineon?" He asks, giving me a look of concern. "Don't ya know drinking your problems away ain't the answer?""No, I haven’t."Frowning, I try to push images of the dinner I had to attend earlier aside, but they come unbidden along with her beautiful face. The same beautiful face that has haunted my mind since I was young.Why the hell did Andria and Elleric force me to come along?‘Because it was to celebrate a return.’ Franz tries.A return? HA! No one returned and I had to spend the whole night watching her be cozy with him!Gale… Why did my heart give painful squeezes every time I saw her?How was it possible that
[Fallon’s POV]My heart hammers in my chest as I stare down into Fineon’s blazing blue eyes, which are staring up at me through his shaggy brown hair.The pain I find there leaves me at a loss for words, especially because I know that the pain he is feeling is due to his unrequited love for my mother and has nothing to do with me."You’re too drunk to think straight." I whisper, trying to diffuse the situation. "Come on, get up. You need some food and water to sober up.""I’m not!" He snaps, reaching out and grabbing my arms. "I’ve never been thinking more clearly.""You’re not." I repeat, attempting to shake myself free. "This was a mistake."Using as much strength as I can muster, I stand and yank my arms free as he just stares at me as if I just hit him.Shaking off the sudden desire to comfort him, I begin to move.I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I shouldn’t have come into this room with him. Hell, I shouldn’t have even approached him to begin with, but the minute I saw him st
[Fallon’s POV]I stare up at the large mansion that I haven't seen in years and prepare myself for what is to come when I walk through those doors.Even though I was coming to terms with the fact that I would forever be stuck with the beginnings of a mark that was forced upon me, that didn't mean that my family would.I was sure the minute my father saw it, he would go berserk and demand to know who was the one that did it. And despite the anger and betrayal I felt towards Fineon for what he tried to do, I couldn’t find it in me to give him away.‘Weak.’ Artemis huffs, not bothering to hide her disgust. ‘You don’t owe him a thing, yet you’re still willing to lie to your family on his behalf.’‘Yeah, I’m a weak fool.’ I respond, shoving her aside. ‘We’ve determined that.’Squaring my shoulders, I head inside, where I can sense my family waiting for me. There was no point in lolligagging outside; it was only prolonging the inevitable.Inside, I find mom and dad flirting.Gagging, I forc