Chapter 18 #3
Maverick offered her the case. The Whisper’s staff of gleaming wood and the symbol etched into it seemed to glow when she finally reached in and freed it from its bed.
It was a silent offering of trust and belief in her power.
She knew that. But she couldn’t shake the uneasiness that still settled in her stomach as she held the ancient weapon.
Maverick gave her a proud smile before turning back to the rest of the team to finalize the details of their mission.
They spent hours poring over the floor plans, discussing entry points, escape routes, and potential challenges they might face.
Zera was impressed by the level of detail and attention they were able to give this mission in such a short amount of time, but she couldn’t shake the lingering fear that something could go wrong.
On a mission like this, anything could happen.
Finally, as they wrapped up their preparations, it was time to gather their weapons, magical items, and other necessary equipment.
All members moved efficiently around the penthouse turned training room, collecting gear and strapping it to their vests and harnesses, readying themselves for the dangerous mission ahead.
Quill was to shimmer them one at a time to the edge of the Mystic Rapids, just far enough that it wouldn’t trigger any wards to detect trespassers. The faster they got there, the better. It was already getting late in the day.
Dressed in black fighting leathers, Zera shrugged into the protective vest she was given.
It took her some time to strap all the various weapons, along with the Whisper’s staff, into their designated places within reach at each side of her vest, but she found it therapeutic.
This was it. The final battle. She was ready physically to do what she had to do, but her heart kept rebelling against her resolve, and her traitorous eyes darted to Maverick as he buckled his own harness.
She couldn’t go into battle without telling him how she felt.
“See you all on the other side,” Quill called, shimmering the last of them out, leaving her alone with Maverick.
Taking a deep breath, Zera approached Maverick, who was meticulously checking his gear. His focus was intense as he inspected each weapon in their holsters, but when Zera’s shadow fell over him, he looked up with a raised eyebrow.
“Hey, I wanted to say thank you,” she began, mustering the courage to say what she needed to. “You’ve done so much for me—saving my life, the training, and helping me with finding a new location for the everfrost blossom.”
“Zera,” he said, his expression softening.
She shook her head. “It’s okay, Maverick. You don’t need to say anything. I wanted you to know how grateful I am that you were there for me and my son. I know you’re still processing whatever this is between us, but I needed you to know that I’m beyond grateful.”
They stood within arm’s reach of each other on the edge of the training mat.
This could be the last time they were in this penthouse together, and the thought sent a pang through her heart.
All the memories, the struggles, and the passion that they’d shared ran through her mind, threatening to break through her resolve for the mission.
But she wouldn’t let it. She would say her peace and go into battle, knowing she’d said everything she needed to.
She folded her lips over her teeth, contemplating her next words. They were harder to utter than she thought. “I know we’re about to run into the unknown, and I… I need you to know that I love you.” Her voice cracked slightly, betraying her emotions, but she didn’t care.
She pressed on. “You’re an amazing man, and I’m honored to have met you.
I wish our circumstances were different, but I hope you will one day forgive me.
I can’t stop thinking about the way you were with Cole, how you played with him, the way he grew attached to you, I know he loves you too.
If we make it through this and if you’re ever able to find it in your heart to forgive me, know that you’ll always have a place in our family.
If you want it. You don’t have to say anything. I just needed to tell you that.”
Maverick’s eyes widened at her implication, as if he might not believe her.
She hoped that he did, that he knew that she was sincere.
A slew of emotions flickered across his eyes, and he opened his mouth to say something, but Quill shimmered in at that moment.
Zera wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the rejection she was certain was coming.
It would be okay. She would be okay regardless of what happened next for them.
She had said enough, and now, they needed to face the battle.
“All right, let’s do this. Try to keep up, faeboy,” Zera said, masking her emotions with a teasing wink at Maverick, who couldn’t help but crack a surprised grin.
“I like this one,” Quill said to Maverick, who merely chuckled before Quill took Zera’s hand and shimmered her out. There was no turning back now.