Epilogue II
CELINE
Imani’s brown eyes glisten with tears. I hold her tight, hating every second of this fucked-up situation.
“I can’t stay anymore, babe. I just can’t. It’s too much.”
I nod and squeeze her tighter. Selfishly, I can’t stand the idea of saying goodbye, but this moment is a long time coming. Part of me always knew this wasn’t forever.
A siren in the desert doesn’t make sense. Even if the siren is terrified of water.
I thought I could help her get through it. I thought dragging her toward the future would be enough to keep the past at bay. But Imani’s past, like mine, has found her once again, and I’d rather lose her now than lose her for good.
“I’ve got a place you can go,” I tell her.
She pulls back from the hug and frowns. “I can’t go to the celestial realm, Celine. There’s not enough water, and too many supernaturals are traveling there now. I’d be found.”
I shake my head. “You’re right, that wouldn’t work, but I’m not talking about the celestial realm.
Sheena told me that Idris’s sister is about to take a diplomatic trip.
She has to be careful which fae she brings along because of favoritism or some other political shit I didn’t understand, but there’s room for you.
You’d get to travel and see new places. Maybe you’ll find somewhere that feels like home, but if you don’t, you can come back and we’ll figure something else out. ”
Imani wrinkles her nose and blows it delicately into the napkin she fished out of her console. “Room for me where? Is she renting a bus?”
I open my mouth, then close it again. My instinct is to explain everything, but if I do that, she might not go, and my gut tells me this is the right move. Imani deserves happiness, and I’m not lying, I’m just omitting a few details.
“Something like that,” I say, keeping my tone light.
“And if I hate it, Idris’s sister will help me come back?”
I nod emphatically. “Of course.” I hug her again. “You won’t be a hostage, and who knows, you might love the fae realm. I hear it’s lovely this time of year . . .”
IMANI AND ZARA’S STORY CONTINUES IN NEVER TIDE—A SAPPHIC STANDALONE WHY CHOOSE ROMANCE (FFFF) SET IN THE LEGACY UNIVERSE.
COMING 2027.