Page 4

A moment later, Eilish walks out of a shadowed doorway with Dragan and another male gargoyle by her side. Just the sight of her is enough to make my heart beat faster. She sees us and her expression breaks into a huge smile.

For a second, I allow myself to hope she’s glad to see me. But she bypasses me as Baron throws his arms around her before kissing her in such a way that the rest of us suddenly feel uncomfortable. Dragan even clears his throat.

Eilish separates herself from Baron and pulls Pyre into a warm embrace, then Aima, and finally, she faces me.

“Cambion,” she says.

“Eilish,” I answer as I swallow hard. All eyes are on us both and it feels like an eternity passes before she takes the steps that separate us and she wraps her arms around me.

It takes me a moment to bring my arms up to hold her—I’m so stunned.

I didn’t imagine I would receive this type of warm reception.

I thought she hated me. She holds me for a few heartbeats longer than everyone else.

“Dragan,” I say as I face the immense gargoyle who glares down at me.

“You’re alive,” he answers and then turns away from me, taking his place beside Eilish.

He’s protective of her—he always has been, but now it seems even more so.

He won’t leave her side and I notice, with interest, that Baron takes up her opposite side.

Neither Baron nor Dragan have said one word to each other. I can’t help but wonder why.

Flumph all but mauls Eilish, climbing up and wrapping his small arms around her neck and squeezing. “You have no fuckin’ idea how happy I is to sees your face! It been hell livin’ with these damn giants.”

Eilish smiles and rolls her eyes. She gives Noni a snuggle as well and gestures for us to follow her inside. “There are still many things left to be built, but King Galmer says we can stay for as long as we need to. This is the start of something great here, I can feel it.”

She turns around to face me and her smile appears a bit sadder. The others continue forward, marveling at our new surroundings. I’m overcome with the need to speak with her, in private. So, I pull her aside.

“I need to talk to you,” I say as I swallow down any pride I still have left.

“I’m sure it can wait, Cambion, you must be exhausted.”

“No, it can’t wait,” I answer as I reach out and take her hand. She looks down in surprise.

“I need to tell you…” I start and then lose the words. “I’m sorry, Eilish.”

“Cambion, this can wait,” she says and starts to pull away from me but I only hold her hand even tighter.

“No, it can’t wait,” I insist. “I have done horrible things. I’ve treated you… terribly and I ruined my relationship with Dragan, Baron and Pyre.”

“We know you had your reasons,” she offers.

“They weren’t good enough,” I insist. Her eyes go wide. Clearly, she isn’t accustomed to me apologizing. And I feel ashamed for that fact. “I want you to know I’ve changed, Eilish. Everything that’s happened to me… it’s all given me insight and perspective I didn’t have before.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” She studies me with a smile. “Is that all?”

“No,” I say as I shake my head. I glance down at my hand that still holds hers.

“There’s more. Something I have to get off my chest.” I take a deep breath.

“It was my fault that your mother and sister died,” I say the words and they sound like they aren’t even coming from my mouth.

They’re foreign and ugly and I hate them with every part of my being.

“I never meant to betray you and I never meant to fail your family. Their deaths are on my hands and for that I’m so sorry. ”

“I know,” she says sadly as she glances down and pulls her hand from mine.

“You know?” I repeat, puzzled. “How do you know?”

“I may not know everything, but I know enough,” she answers as she takes a deep breath and faces me once again. “And I’m upset, Cambion, but I… I don’t hate you.”

“I am the one who took your memories,” I continue.

“I know. And you took them because you wanted to protect me from the grief of knowing my mother and sister were dead.”

“Yes, but I also did it to cover my own ass.”

“I’ve thought of that as well,” she says and nods. “I’m sure that’s why you got me addicted to the Atacomite as well?”

I swallow hard. I don’t know how she’s figured all this out, but she has.

And, now, the only thing left to do is admit my mistakes and try my fucking best to atone for them.

“Yes, I introduced you to the Atacomite because I didn’t want anyone to ask questions.

I wanted it to seem like whatever you said, they were simply the ramblings of an addict. ”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think all of this through and while I am still angry and hurt,” she starts before breathing in deeply. “I’ve realized that none of those feelings will help us get any closer to the goal we’re all after.”

“I don’t… I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything,” she answers with a shrug. “But let’s no longer worry about the past when we’ve got a pretty rocky future that needs all the focus it can get.”

Her smile makes me feel as if my insides are breaking into a million pieces. She is truly the best example of goodness and I don’t know how I failed to see it before. How could I ever have called her a demon.

She is the closest thing to perfection I’ve ever seen. And if I’ve been lucky enough to earn a second chance for her favor, I will honor her in every way possible.