Chapter 25
Fallon
Severin shoved me out of the gold-dusted portal and back into my kitchen at Evie’s Keep.
I went to ask Declan if anything with pointy ears could be civil when I realized I might never ask him anything again.
The well of despair that opened up beneath my feet consumed me whole.
I didn't really know why Anise saying I loved her son hit me like a cannonball just when I could do nothing about it. My mind hadn’t caught up with everything that had happened in such a breathless number of moments and now that I was alone to think, I started shaking.
A rustling followed by a groan had me on my feet, brandishing the one kitchen knife I had strapped to my thigh. A moon whale breached the kitchen door and then Evie screamed.
I screamed at her scream, my nerves completely shot with all the new information, the fighting, the near-crying and dying over the past couple of days.
“What the seven hells are you doing in my kitchen? Are you mated? Let me see the mark.”
The word ‘mate’ was the last thing I wanted to hear and her crestfallen look was the last thing I wanted to see.
Leaving Declan would be so much easier if I just focused on the work and my friends, even if I left half of them in Nightfell.
The one before me was so huge, I had no idea how she was getting around.
She had to lift her own stomach just to walk.
“Do… do you need a chair?” I asked.
“Oh Godds, yes. I was trying to be stealthy and grab a snack. I’m always hungry.”
Since she was the size of a frigate, I understood why. Grabbing the sturdiest kitchen chair available, I placed it by the stove and helped my best friend over to it.
“Before I answer any of your questions, there’s only one thing called for here.”
“Grilled cheese?” Evie asked hopefully.
“Grilled cheese,” I confirmed.
I pulled a couple of wheels from the pantry and uncovered some fresh-baked bread.
It wasn't as good as I baked, but this was more about comfort than perfection.
For the first time, it didn't need to be absolutely right.
I just needed to be with my friend. As she watched me gather supplies, I knew it was also an opportunity to show her how I had control over my powers, but her attention kept wandering to her belly, her bottom lip wobbling.
“I can make it however you want. Want an extra layer?”
Evie’s smile strained across her face. “I couldn’t say no to that!”
She seemed more interested in getting blood flow back to her legs than watching me perfectly slice the bread without using my hands. Her gaze remained downcast. Was there a suspicious welling of tears in her eyes?
“I don’t mean to be an attention whore here, lovey, but I’m trying to show you what I learned while banished. Clarus. Soup guy. Remember?”
The cheese slowly melted to perfection, sizzling on the pan to form crusty edges.
“I shouldn't have meddled.”
My heart melted a bit. Evie wasn’t the most confident of our group. “I know it's not easy being Queen. Clarus didn't deserve–”
Her sniff resounded through the kitchen. “Clarus is just fine.” She waved her hands like we were having two different conversations. “In fact, it saved his mating. I guess time as a sentient side dish lends to self-reflection.”
What did she mean? I flipped the grilled cheese onto a plate and held it above her head. Maybe ransomed grilled cheese would get answers.
“Um, why didn’t you come get me then? Reverse your banishment?!”
She reached up for the grilled cheese despite the tears but couldn't heave herself out of the chair. “Let me eat my feelings. I really messed this up if you didn't come back mated.”
I almost dropped the plate. “You WHAT!?!”
“Ward was right. I shouldn’t have tried to force you together. But I had to kick you into the snow and let you guys work it out or you and Declan were never going to bone. I thought you would be gone a fortnight or something. Since you weren’t, I was sure you were on your honeymoon at this point.”
What the high holy hells was she thinking! I wanted to shake her, scream in her face. I had spent months in agony, thinking I would never see her again and she was over here matchmaking?
“Is that why you were hemorrhaging out some sort of pantomime play I wouldn't pay any amount of talons to see? Was this a game?”
“Fated Mates are not a game, Fallon. Your happiness is not something I was willing to leave to chance. I might not be great at mindspeak and mouthspeak at the same time, but I’ve been watching you dodge that man for years!
Declan was also being unusually dense when it came to gathering your things. ”
“I can’t believe you did that,” I said, even though it was pure Evie. The best intentions, the worst execution.
“I thought it would be fine if you guys got out of your own way and actually sealed the deal.” Evie eyed the plate with a kind of longing Ward would be jealous of and slumped in defeat.
“Look. I’m sorry. I really am. But I couldn't say it to your face. What do you do every time I try to give you sage advice?”
My expression soured with the truth. “Run in the opposite direction,” I mumbled.
The deep bass of Ward’s voice filled the kitchen. “Are you yelling at my very pregnant wife?”
I shoved the plate of grilled cheese at him and Evie’s eye followed it wistfully.
“Stay out of it, Ward. But give me that cheese.” She held out her hands.
Ward snatched it away from her, already halfway through the sandwich. “Have her make you another one.”
“You’re so mean. I’m having your child!”
He stuffed the last bit into his mouth, taunting her. “And you’re all the more beautiful for it.”
He brushed his greasy thumb over her cheek but she acted like it was the pinnacle of affection. Evie also might have tried to lick his thumb. I felt like I was intruding again. The urge to turn to Declan was so great. I broke into tears.
“Go away, impossible man.” Evie shooed Ward out of the kitchen.
He didn't go as far as anyone would have liked but I couldn't blame him for protecting his whale of a mate. A stiff breeze might have turtled her onto her back.
“Come here, friend. I can’t say sorry enough right now.” She held her arms out for a hug. “If you’re not well-bitten, I assume you did the thing again, didn’t you?”
Evie understood. I had always been bad at feeling emotions in the moment.
I froze or got something done. Action was much easier.
But those emotions did eventually catch up with me.
And Goddsdamn they were catching up hard.
When I should have been telling Declan I loved him, I froze in a plan that didn’t even seem like that great a plan anymore.
When I should have been leaning on my friends to help me with Hollow Fever, I shut them out.
My hesitation brought a question into her eyes. “If I get on the floor to reach you, I won’t get up again.”
“I know what you mean… oh Godds. Don’t tell me Declan got you pregnant? You never wanted that,” she said.
I wouldn’t get through this conversation without actually telling her why I left Nightfell.
My mouth worked to force the words out. I had held onto the secret for so long.
How could I find the words now? But everything else was unraveling.
If this was going to dissolve too, I might as well get it over with.
I clenched my hands together, about to throw up. “I’m sick, Evie.”
She tried to start up and wobbled, plunking back down. “Oh My Godds! You’re dying?”
Her voice cracked so high, I laughed despite myself, gripping my stomach. Her feeling worse about it than I did helped somewhat.
She shook an angry finger at me because that was about all she could do. “This is not funny, Fallon.”
“No, no. I’m not dying. I mean, not faster than any of the rest of us. Most of the time. When I don’t have flareups. Or as long as the weather doesn’t change too quickly. Hells. I’m making a mess of this.”
Evie held out her hand. “Hold on. Hold on. Maggie has to hear this.”
In a flash of bright sorcery, Evie summoned her sister with her Dragon magic. I closed my eyes against the column of light invading the kitchen. As it faded, a very annoyed and very naked Maggie stood in the center of the room.
“You asshat!” She covered her breasts and the V of her legs with her hands. “Can’t you ask first? Clearly, I was in the middle of something!”
Evie eyed the release sliding down her sister’s leg before Maggie drew a sigil to summon a warm dress. My jaw hit the floor as my bestie said in a sweet, bright tone, “Looks like you were done.”
I threw myself between them. Maggie’s eyes glinted with murder and Evie brought magic to her hands.
“Okay, okay, hellions. Take a deep breath,” I said.
“You take a deep breath,” Evie all but snapped and turned to Maggie.
“She’s been keeping secrets. She’s dying for Goddess’ sake!
I’m going to have a dead best friend.” Evie started crying with a speed that spoke of hormones.
“You’re the worst friend ever. Why didn’t you tell us?
We could have helped. I wouldn’t have put you out in the snow. ”
“It’s not really anyone’s business how I cope with Hollow Fever.”
Maggie gasped. “Are you kidding me? Fallon! How have you been managing?”
“Some potions work for a while. I have a routine. But mostly, I focus on work. If I just keep going, I don't think about it. And the satisfaction from a job well done makes me feel better.”
Maggie scoffed and elbowed her sister, whose tears had already dried on her face. “Well, I’m handling this with Declan. Just hold on to your kitchen spoon. Where is he?”
I needed something to do after that pronouncement, so I made two more grilled cheeses.
“She left him behind,” Evie whispered to her sister.
The frown on Maggie’s face could have burned down the Harrowlands. Pure satisfaction hit me as the grilled cheese wiped it right off her mouth.