Page 18 of Sun and Stone (Elementally Yours #5)

18. Not Quite the Dawn

I can't let Fynn down. When he embraces the sun, I need to be there.

Fynn liked my grand romantic gesture last time, and I really screwed up this time, so I pull out all stops. Which means begging the assistant manager of the party supply store to open up after hours since I don't have a key and then using my employee discount on a bunch of sunny party decor that is usually purchased for children's birthday parties.

Whatever. I know Fynn will get a kick out of the party hats decorated with cartoon suns and the whimsical sun-shaped balloons, complete with smiling sun faces. I spent a second trying to think if we had anything remotely armadillo themed in stock before giving up. It doesn't really fit with the theme of 'yay sun magic' anyway.

I step out of the party supply store, my arms laden with colorful bags. Fynn is going to love this, I just know it. He adores anything bright and cheerful, and these will be the perfect touch to celebrate his big achievement.

As I juggle the overflowing bags, the assistant manager steps out behind me and locks the door. "Thanks for letting me in after hours," I say with a grateful smile. "I really appreciate it."

"You owe me one," she grumbles, not happy to be at her dead-end job in the middle of the night.

"I owe you two," I promise.

In fact, my list of debts keeps adding up.

“Thank you so much,” I say as Argyle hands me the keys to his—well, his boyfriend’s—car. Now I can make the drive to Centaur’s Landing. “Wish me luck?”

"Unless you screwed up worse than I thought, you won’t need it," he says. "Trust me."

"How do you know? You haven’t even met Fynn yet." Our plans to all get together never materialized.

He gives me a smart look. “Perry, I thought I was gonna have my work cut out for me if you ever arrived at this point in your magical journey. I figured you'd be a wreck and never leave your apartment. I thought I'd have to pry the stones out of your hands."

"Okay, I'm not saying I had any days like that, but please stop talking." I wince, because I did have a few days like that.

"Maybe you had a few bad days, but you're doing better than I ever imagined. You’ve lit up just from being around Fynn, pun not intended. He’s good for you, and seeing as you gave him magic back, I know you’re good for him too when your head isn’t shoved up your ass.”

He is letting me borrow the car, so I let that crack slide. It’s not like he’s wrong.

“As long as you apologize and treat him right," Argyle continues. "You two are gonna be just fine.”

"Thank you. Thank your boyfriend too."

Then I set off, heading to Centaur's Landing. Fynn invited me to join him and sent me directions and his plan, which involves casting a protective circle to keep the moon’s energy away as he watches it rise and fall. And when the sun takes the moon's place, he'll get his brand.

The good thing about his plan is that he's going to be there all night, which means I have plenty of time to drive there, find him, and then make things right while still giving Fynn some space to get himself mentally and emotionally ready for when he accepts the sun's essence.

By the time I arrive, it's past 2 A.M. I think I'm close to Fynn’s location, but there are no other cars in the small lot I pull into. Guess he parked somewhere else. What if I'm in for a bit of a hike?

It's around now when I realize my grand plan has a few flaws.

I glance at the backseat, full of colorful bags overflowing with party supplies. I also paid a visit to the grocery store, so I have a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of sunflowers.

I had no idea the nature park was this expansive. Guess it would have to be, if Centaur's live here and mostly stay away from the prying eyes of interested humans. How am I going to carry all of this stuff?

Making an executive decision, I exit the car and grab just the essentials. Two sun party hats, a sun-shaped balloon, and the sunflowers. Maybe I can use the rest to decorate Fynn's hotel room later if I grovel successfully and he invites me back there.

When I reach the edge of the parking lot, I consult the map to find Fynn’s location. As I get into the forest and set off down the nearest trail, I hope I'm going the right direction. The map listed everything clearly and it seemed so simple, but everything is dark and unrecognizable in the middle of the night. Easy to get turned around. Even using my phone for light doesn't help too much, not when trekking to a location I've never been before.

Crap. Another hitch in the plan. As much as I wanted to stroll up and surprise him, I need Fynn’s help to get to him.

I pause and quickly tap out a message to Fynn.

Perry: Hey, I’m here. I came. Where are you?

Waiting, I stare at my phone screen. Then feel a bit silly just standing motionless in the middle of a dark forest. I amble in what I hope is the right direction. My phone stays quiet. No response.

Perry: Fynn please. I’ll go if you want but give me five minutes.

Dammit.

The path I'm on starts getting steeper, which is good. I think. The ledge Fynn mentioned looks out over the rest, so it makes sense the best view is higher up. I keep going.

In case he decides to take mercy on me, I call Fynn.

He doesn't answer, and it eventually goes to voicemail. He's still ignoring me. I can't believe I really pissed him off that badly.

Finally, the forest gives way to a large expanse of rock. I reach the overlook and scan the area, but Fynn is nowhere to be seen. God, hopefully I'm not at the wrong overlook.

My phone's flashlight doesn't do enough to illuminate the surroundings, and the view is decidedly less picturesque in the middle of the night.

"Fynn?" I call out, listening for any response.

I call him again… and hear something this time. The ring tone comes through, louder as I walk in the right direction. He's here and nearby.

The ringtone comes from behind, back near the edge of the treeline. I use the flashlight, shining it in the direction the noise comes from.

There's something on the ground. No, someone. There's Fynn, lying motionless on the ground. And standing over him is...

"Malcolm?" I gasp.

Fynn's ex-fiancé fumbles with Fynn's phone, trying to silence it.

Before I can react, Malcolm whirls around and rushes towards me. I try to back away, but he's too fast. He swings his arm, and everything goes black as pain explodes in my head.