Page 55 of Bonds of Starfall

Rin turned her hand in Lucien’s hold, her fingers tangling with his. His breath caught, and she looked up at him. The cafe around them grew even more distant—it was just the two of them, as she said:

"You’vealwaysbeen there for me, Lucien. Thank you."

His thumb smoothed over the back of her hand. "I am here as long as you want me."

"I’ll always want you," she said before she realized how it sounded. The softest of blushes darkened her pale, lifeless cheeks.

"Come stay at my apartment," he stressed. "You need to get out of that house."

She wanted to ask why, but bit her tongue—she knew why. She saw Kit everywhere, in everything. He haunted that place.

Maybe every corner of that house was haunted with the remnants of him. She saw him, head hung low in the dimly lit glow of the kitchen at midnight, when the fridge was cracked open and his head tilted back, sipping on a cold glass of water; lounging on the couch with his phone in his hand, chain of his dog tag between his lips as he stared at nothing, deep in thought.

Maybe it was time to run from the ghosts.

"Okay… I’ll stay with you."

Rin wasn’t surprisedto find that Lucien lived in a towering high-rise in downtown Solar City. Opulent marble floors, a balcony overlooking the cityscape, and the pale crystal blue of the ocean glimmering in the distance from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She leaned over the edge of the balcony, staring out at the brilliant sky. Golden sunlight of early evening cut across the spread of glass buildings, turning it into a crystal oasis. Overhead, a few Stars twinkled, the occasional contrails flickering across the sky as ships traveled to other planets. It made her think of him. Her eyes searched the sky, and it took her a few minutes to realize what she was doing—looking for a shadow that made her feel calm…

The sliding doors to the balcony opened with a soft whoosh as Lucien stepped outside.

"I put your bag in the guest bedroom. The takeout is here—you didn’t eat at the cafe, and I doubt you ate at home before I picked you up, so I will not compromise on this. You’re eating, Vesperin." His cool voice washed over her, leaving tingling in its wake. She turned, finding him leaning against the doors to the balcony, green button-up tucked into his black slacks.

After Rin had agreed to stay with Lucien, she hadn’t thought he meantnow, but he had. Rin had gone home to pack an overnight bag, telling Sabine and Talor she was staying with Xara, who had dropped by a few times in the past month with a quietly understanding and remorseful Keir. Rin understood better now—if she had met her Soulbond, she would want to savor every second with them before it was ripped away.

"Thank you," she murmured dazedly.

His hand twitched by his side, as if he wanted to reach for her. "Come inside."

She followed after him, the balcony doors sliding shut, keeping out the bustling city sounds. It was quiet inside Lucien’s apartment. The couch was impeccable, dark leather. Not one mark or wrinkle, like it had never been used. Low-hanging lights dripped over the kitchen island as Rin leaned against it, watching as Lucien meticulously spooned a healthy portion of white rice and steamed vegetables onto a porcelain dish. He placed it in front of her, tapping a long finger against the fork resting near her elbow. He sat on the barstool next to her, a hand braced on the back of hers, watching her intently. Her eyes flicked to the spot on the table in front of him.

"You’re not eating?" she asked.

Lucien appraised her. "I will once you have finished."

He stayed true to his word, watching as Rin ate as much as she could stomach. It wasn’t much, barely a few spoonfuls of rice, but he didn’t push her for more, merely tugged her plate toward him and reached for her fork.

Her eyes went wide. Was he going to…

Lucien brought the fork she had used up to his mouth, steamed broccoli and carrots speared onto the prongs. She watched him as he ate, trying to focus on him and the quiet air in his apartment, instead of the dread clogging her throat.

The kitchen was sparse, just like the rest of his apartment, like he didn’t stay here long enough to actually live.

What was she doing here?

Lucien fit perfectly with the untouchable dark tones of the kitchen. The steel lights hanging above their heads gleamed warmly, matching the sleek, black leather couch and massive flatscreen television. He was impeccable, and she had bags under her eyes and wore an old, faded shirt that didn’t evensmell like Kit anymore. The dog tag hung under the neckline, warm from her body.

She had brought her depressive grief with her, clouding the room and darkening everything it touched. She was so sick of it.

She needed to do something.

It was like she finally understood, after a month wading through sludge, that she could not keep living like this. She had to continue. If not for her, then for the man sitting by her side, who had held her up when her bones wouldn’t work. In a soft, secretive way, Lucien had given her a reason to live.

When the sun dipped below the cityscape and the moon took its rightful place in the night sky, Rin and Lucien sat on the leather couch. It creaked under her, unused to being used. Lucien’s fingers tapped along his thigh, as if he were unable to sit still. It made a weak smile threaten her downturned lips.

Lucien flicked the remote, flipping through channels, until he settled on a movie she had never seen.