Page 148 of Fallen Gods

Rey

“So,” I say once we’re out of earshot. “I’m going to need you to create a protected spot for us before we start so you don’t go boom and attract attention.”

“And you with me,” he whispers. “You do realize if I can’t control myself, you’re in the direct line of fire.”

“Yeah,” I say. “I do. But I’m not leaving you.” I grab his hand and lead him away from the noise. I know people are watching us, but I also know that by the time we make it to where we need to go, he can protect us.

Plus, if we go farther into the forest down their path, we’ll miss the location of the rune.

I squeeze Aric’s hand.

He looks down at where our palms meet as if thinking the same thing I am—will I ever hold you again?

“It’s not too late to change our minds,” I joke as the sound of an airplane flying overhead makes me pause. How easy would it be? Abandon everything, escape together.

I stop for a second, pulling on his hand so he stops, too.

“Would you?” I whisper as a breeze tousles my hair. “Would you run away with me, knowing that the world would eventually end? Knowing that the world wouldburn?”

I hug my arms around myself, shivering, suddenly lonely. Aric’s breath fogs in front of him, reminding me of everything he’s capable of.

“You’re hesitating,” I choke out.

His dark gaze holds mine.

“I can’t promise you,” he finally says. “Not until we end this.” My whole body deflates.

“So that’s it, then? We’re doing this.” I’m blushing, but I can’t help it.

His tongue slides across his bottom lip, then his jaw tightens, but his eyes remain locked on mine as a few flakes of snow catch my vision.

I shake my head. “I don’t need the cold,” I say. “I don’t want it.”

“But I still need your warmth.” His voice is deep, gravelly, and I know he means it.

Snow dusts his broad shoulders, which are now hunched over with pain.

“One of us is going to die.” I finally say the words out loud.

And deep in my soul, I know.

It’s going to be me.

Thunder rumbles in the distance. We start walking again, and I finally stop when I’m in front of the trail by our dorm. Where it all began.

Aric spreads his arms wide. “Why are we here?”

“Because.” I stare up at our dorm the same way I did my first day here. “It ends where it started. With a simple misstep.” I reach down and grab the cobblestone I tripped on the first day I arrived. It was a sign. “This was right here all along.” I swipe my hand over the stone. “The universe knew even before we did.”

Aric stares at the rock in my hand with the rune Thurisaz etched on it. “One of the most powerful runes, hidden in plain sight.”

“Powerful things often are,” I whisper, giving him a meaningful look and holding it out to him.

Aric takes both the rock and my hand. He guides me away from the dorms, angling us toward the water. “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.”

I try not to freak out, but my heart is pounding. This is it. The last rune.

“It’s going to be fine,” Aric says. “I promise.”