Page 65 of Ashes

My father’s eyes are wide as his hands flail, trying to do something about the arrow, but it’s too late.

I watch the life drain out of his eyes.

I lower the bow and Victor pulls me into his arms, wrapping himself tightly around me.

Tears fill my eyes.

Maybe I got what I wanted, but I would prefer it a thousand times that Alex was still alive.

This, while satisfying, still feels insufficient.

But maybe, in Victor’s arms, I can find the peace that I need.

Chapter 28

IWAIT FOR VICTOR TOfinish his speech. He’s letting his father’s men choose if they want to stay with him as their leader or leave.

As soon as my mother heard what happened, she burst into tears and ran for the door. I didn’t try to stop her or go after her.

Even though she now knows my father killed Alex and he’s dead, she probably still loves him.

Maybe she even found a way to explain it all to herself.

When Victor finally dismisses his men and turns toward me, a smile spreads across his lips, and I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Hey,” he says as he winds his arms around me.

I like how natural being in his embrace feels.

But now our little mission is complete, and I’m not sure what happens now.

“Are we still doing this?” I brush my lips against his.

He kisses me so passionately that we both end up breathless.

“Yes. If you want to. I think there’s something between us,” he says. “A real connection. I don’t want to let you go now. I want you to stay with me.”