Page 69 of Evermore (The Never Sky #3)

Thorne

I f we’re going to keep doing these perimeter checks,” Tuck said, kicking a stone as we rounded the corner of the Syndicate house, “the least you could do is bring snacks.”

“For fuck’s sake. Stop whining. I offered you an apple.”

“An apple isn’t a snack. It’s what you eat when you’re pretending to be healthy.

” He pulled his axe from his belt and flipped it in his hand with practiced ease as we walked.

“No one’s coming because Alastor hasn’t let it slip yet that Paesha isn’t bound to him.

And Minerva’s clearly choosing this side of the line, even if she’s not speaking directly to you. I think she likes the kid.”

“Her silent treatment is going to go on for centuries. You know that, right? Remember that time I accidentally broke her cane?”

“You’re still a fool for that, you know?”

I scratched my chin. “Don’t start. It was an accident and she doesn’t even need the damn thing. At least she’s keeping an eye on Quill.”

“Aw, look at you being mature about it. You know she’ll come around eventually. Especially now that you’ve got Aldus sending supplies to Thea’s underground network. Minnie’s always had a heart for the mortals even if she pretends not to. Probably because they don’t know what she is.”

“I’m not sure we know what she is, Tuck.”

A twig snapped behind us, and we both turned to find Archer perched on a fallen log, methodically untangling what appeared to be blue yarn.

“Don’t mind me,” he said without looking up. “Just trying to salvage what’s left of my dignity. And possibly make a scarf.”

I arched an eyebrow at the mess in his hands. “That’s meant to be a scarf?”

“You know, for someone who claims to be all-knowing, you’re remarkably judgmental about my life choices.” He held up the yarn with a frustrated sigh. “Though in this case, you might have a point.”

“Shouldn’t you be training with the Salt?” Tuck asked. “I told your… The king you’d be there today.”

“Shouldn’t you be delivering mysterious packages and pretending not to be a god?” Archer shot back, but his usual playful tone felt forced. His eyes kept darting toward the field behind the house.

“What is it?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.

He set aside his yarn, all pretense of humor falling away. “She’s out there again. But it’s different this time. The Remnants are… agitated. More than usual. I can almost feel them. It’s pretty bad.”

“How long?”

“Aren’t you patrolling ? You didn’t notice?”

I shot him a look that was anything but friendly.

“About an hour.” He stood, brushing grass from his trousers. “I tried to get close, but the shadows nearly took my head off. Figured that might be a sign to get backup.”

“And you came to me? I’m touched.”

“Well, Thea’s busy with the Underground, and Quill’s hanging out with Minnie inside again, so my options were limited.” He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture I’d seen Paesha make countless times. “Be careful, all right? She’s not herself today.”

I started toward the field, but Archer caught my arm. “I mean it, Thorne. Whatever’s happening in her head right now, it’s not the usual stuff. I mean it is, but…”

“Since when are you the expert on what’s usual for her?”

“Since I became magically bound to protect her, you arrogant ass.” But there was no real heat in his words. “Besides, someone has to look out for her when you’re busy brooding in corners and straightening picture frames.”

“I do not brood.”

“You absolutely brood. It’s your default setting.” He fell into step beside me, absently fiddling with the sleeve covering his Treeis mark. “Though I suppose if I’d spent centuries pining after someone, I’d be broody too.”

“Shouldn’t you be failing at another hobby by now? Perhaps interpretive dance?”

“Already tried it. Turns out I’m actually quite good.” He grinned, but it faded as we neared the field. “Remember, she’s fighting her own battles in there. Sometimes being supported is better than being saved.”

“When did you get so wise?”

“Yesterday.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll keep Tuck occupied. Maybe teach him how to make a decent sandwich.”

“Is that what you’re calling those monstrosities?”

“Those are works of art, thank you very much.” He started to turn away, then paused. “Oh, and Thorne? If you make things worse, I get to say I told you so.”

“I’ll add it to your growing list of victories.”

“You better.” With a final knowing smirk, he headed back toward the house, gathering his tangled yarn as he went.

I crossed the field, my breath catching as I saw her.

She sat in the grass, wearing a dress that seemed designed specifically to drive me mad.

The slits along both sides revealed far too much leg for my sanity, and the way the silk clung to her curves made my fingers itch to touch.

But it was the Remnants that held my attention.

They settled around her like living smoke, reaching out before snapping back, more erratic than I’d ever seen them.

Her lips moved constantly, whispering words I couldn’t quite catch as she fought for control. My power recognized hers, reaching out instinctively before I reined it in. This wasn’t about what I wanted. This was about helping her find her way through the chaos.

“Practicing?” I asked, keeping my voice deliberately casual as I settled into the grass beside her.

“Something like that.” Her eyes met mine, and the storm of emotions I saw there made my chest ache. “Did Archer send you to check on me?”

“I’m perfectly capable of being nosy on my own.”

That earned me a ghost of a smile as I remembered her searching through the study the first night we stayed together.

“True.”

I watched as she struggled to contain another wave of shadows, her fingers curling into fists in her lap. The dress slipped, revealing more of her thigh and I forced my gaze away. Now was not the time.

“You know… there are better ways to train.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Please enlighten me with your ancient wisdom.”

I let my power flare, just enough to make her Remnants stir in response. “Sometimes the best way to learn control is to lose it first.”

“You have no idea how to lose control, Reverius Hawthorne Noctus and don’t you dare try to convince me otherwise.”

“Will you show me? What they’re saying in there?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Try me.”

Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw past her carefully constructed walls to the fear beneath.

Then she closed her eyes and nodded. I caressed her memories just enough to see the last few moments.

The Remnants surged forward, carrying whispers of destruction and chaos.

I caught fragments of voices—Winter’s cold fury, Sylvie’s seductive promises of power, and beneath it all, Paesha’s own desperate attempt to hold on to herself.

But Levanya was there too. A cool presence in her mind, as she’d always been in life. The queen that’d lost everything.

I stepped away from her mind and reached for her, my power wrapping around hers like a shield. “Push back,” I commanded. “They’re yours to control, not the other way around.”

“I can’t?—”

“You can.” I moved closer, close enough to feel the heat of her skin. “You’re stronger than they are. Show them.”

She shifted in the grass, refusing to look at me as the Remnants twisted around her. Every line of her body radiated tension as she fought for control.

“Push back,” I commanded again, letting my power brush against hers. “You’re stronger than this.”

“Stop telling me what to do.”

“Then stop acting like you need to be told.” I moved closer, deliberately invading her space. “Stop pretending you’re some helpless mortal who can’t handle her own power.”

The Remnants surged at my words, feeding off her rising anger. Good. Let her get mad. Let her feel something other than defeat.

“You have no idea what this is like,” she snapped, finally meeting my gaze. “To have them screaming in your head constantly. To feel them tearing at your mind?—”

“Then show me.” I pushed harder, my power tangling with her shadows. I couldn’t handle the thought of fighting with her, but I’d fucking fight with them, if that was what she needed. “Stop hiding behind excuses and show me what you’re really battling.”

She shot to her feet. “You want to see? Fine. You want to know what they’re saying?” Her voice rose with each word. “They want me to tear everything apart. To burn it all down. To destroy every pretty little piece of control you think you have.”

“So do it.” I stood, matching her fury with calm certainty. “Stop holding back. Stop being so damn afraid of your power. Don’t sit in the godsdamn prison they’ve locked you into.”

“I’m not afraid!”

“Then prove it.” I stepped closer, watching the shadows dance across her skin. “Prove you’re more than a scared little mortal playing at being powerful.”

Her eyes flashed dangerously. “You think this is a game?”

“I think you’re hiding. I think you’re so terrified of letting anyone see the real you that you’d rather drown in those voices than admit you need help.”

She glared at me. “You think you can simply waltz in here and fix everything with your perfect control?”

“Nothing about this is perfect,” I said, letting my power wrap around hers like a caress as I met her glare. “But at least I’m not afraid of what I am.”

The Remnants surged at my words. “I’m not afraid.”

“I think we both know you are.” I pushed harder. “Come play with me, Paesha darling. Let go… I’ll catch you.”

“You don’t know anything about?—”