Chapter 2
Chapter Two
EDGAR
“You can’t seriously be thinking about going out there.” My best friend, Franky, looks at me with a dead-eyed expression.
“Why the hell not?”
He sighs, setting down his sandwich. “I don’t think I have to tell you why at this point. No woman you barely know is worth risking your life for.”
“Well, I won’t know until I take her those flowers, will I?” I clap back.
His brow furrows. “You sure are going out of your way for one date. You might not even be alive to give her the damn flowers.”
I shift in my seat, feeling uncomfortable from the weight of his eyes on me.
It’s more than the date. I’ve been looking for an excuse to go out there again, to see the beautiful creature I had a run-in with last time I got lost during a mission.
He saved my life. The sound of those beautiful wings have stayed with me for months.
He pulled my car out of the mud and lifted me out of reach of some swamp monster who tried to gobble me up in several bites.
“It’ll be fine,” I finally say. “Too bad Nova doesn’t offer his services anymore.”
Franky dead-stares at me. “Yeah, his gathering days are over. It helps me sleep better knowing he’s not out there somewhere risking his life.”
“I’m sure. I bet he was excited to finally get a school visa here too.”
“Yeah. He’s loving the new classes he’s been taking. He’s kind of exploring his options while making new items for his shop.”
“That’s great. Maybe I’ll buy something to go with the flowers for my hot date.”
Laughing, he shakes his head. “You’re ridiculous. I really wish you’d reconsider. Why does she need these flowers so badly anyway?”
“They have some magic hair potion in them or something, and they never die no matter how much you neglect them.”
“I sure hope they tell you how pretty you are every morning too,” he chirps, lifting his coffee to his lips.
“You never know. They just might. Or maybe she’ll do that after I give them to her.”
“Maybe. When are you planning on leaving? Make sure you send me your location before you do, just to be on the safe side.”
“Tomorrow morning. First thing. I’m going to use your closet when I do, since the area I’m traveling to is closer to Nova’s house than it is to the base.”
“Does Nova know about this?”
“I do.” A voice comes from behind us, and Franky cranes his neck, shooting a glare at his fiancé.
Three months engaged and Nova is still doing everything he can to show off that shiny ring on his finger by constantly touching his face or holding a hand to his chest. I don’t think Franky minds one bit either, it’s a constant reminder that he’s marrying the love of his life soon.
And yes, I’m envious as fuck. Where’s my person at? The last guy I started to fall for kidnapped me and framed Nova for a crime he wasn’t guilty of. He never even liked me. None of what was growing between us was real. Will it ever be with anyone?
“Is that so?” Franky’s forehead wrinkles.
“Yes, and I was going to tell you but thought it was better for Edgar to tell you. He’s an adult and can decide things for himself. You did.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t—this is different. You know what it’s like out there.”
“Don’t worry. I made him a map, and I’ll make sure he has everything he needs. He promised to return to the house before dark, and I even marked some good caves to camp out in, in case he doesn’t have time to make it back.”
“So you know where these flowers are?” Franky flicks his eyes up at him.
“Yup,” Nova says with certainty in his voice. “There are several places with them, but he wants to go where the river meets the black lake.”
“Why that specific area?”
I shrug, trying to remain casual. “Just some other things I want to check out while I’m out there.
” One in particular. My little flying friend.
We didn’t so much as exchange many words due to the language barrier, but something in his eyes said he wouldn’t be against seeing me again either.
The encounter was brief but it was enough to make me want to accidentally end up in his path again.
Hopefully he’s in that spot often. After helping me get on my way, he flew into a tall, moving tree.
Was that his home? He kept saying home, but I’m not sure if he meant his was up there or that I needed to return to mine because of the sky.
“I see,” Franky says, sounding unconvinced. The man knows me too well and can spot my bullshit from a mile away.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll only be out there for a short time, and once I have what I’m looking for, I’ll come right back.” Then find another reason to end up in danger in that exact same spot again.
“You better. I hope she only wants flowers, and not water or dirt to go with them later.”
“I mean, I did hear both were also good for hair.”
“They’re good for skin too, depending on the source.
” Nova takes a seat in one of the empty chairs, placing a hand on the table with his ring once again left in a place that it’s easily seen.
There’s this hollowness filling my heart.
What would it be like to have someone treat a promise of forever with me like the most precious thing in the world? I’ll probably never know.
“Please don’t encourage him. Or else he’ll be out there longer, grabbing a little bit of everything to impress a girl he’ll probably only date for two weeks.”
I roll my eyes, standing from my chair. “Hey, my last relationship was a month long, thank you very much.”
Franky and Nova laugh, looping their fingers together. And now I’m feeling like the third wheel, and if I stay any longer, I’ll see more than my eyes can handle today.
“I better get going. I gotta pack and check off the long list Nova gave me before getting some much-needed sleep.”
“You do that, and we’ll see you in the morning.” Franky stands up beside me, dropping Nova’s hand to slap me on the shoulder.
“Yeah, bright and early. I want to take advantage of the daylight for as long as I have it.” Once nighttime comes, the sky darkens quickly, and there’s no moon or stars.
It’s all just pitch black. That’s when the worst creatures come out too.
No way will I come home alive if I get stuck out there when that happens.
“That is the best time to go,” Franky agrees. “You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? It’s almost ready.”
“Yeah. I’ll heat up leftovers. I don’t want to get stuck in that awful seven o’clock traffic.”
“Good thinking. The construction they’ve been doing has made it ten times worse, too.”
“Makes me even more thankful I don’t drive,” Nova chimes in.
“Yeah, but I still do. I get to drive both of us,” Franky says.
“Yes, and you love taking me all over the place.” Nova winks, earning him a laugh from my friend.
“Yeah, definitely not staying for dinner. I’m gonna head out before this one’s sitting in your lap with his shirt hiked up again.”
They both break out into more laughter and Franky walks me to the door.
“See ya,” I say, stepping onto the porch.
“I’m still hoping you change your mind about going out there alone and on foot.”
“Well, you’ll be wasting a lot of energy if you keep it up, so better to stop while you’re ahead.”
He lets out a sigh. “Stubborn asshole.”
“Meddling son of a bitch,” I mutter back. We both chuckle and he waves me off as I make a beeline for my car. I’ll be fine out there. And if I happen to land myself in enough danger to bring out a certain someone again to come rescue me, then I’ll be way more than fine.