Chapter 43: Farewells

Emily’s perspective:

A timid whirlwind of dust and fallen greenery enraptures my trembling knees while my feet remain rooted in obedience to the inescapable law of gravity. I am lost in witnessing Grant’s ascension above the line of hemlock and spruce. I long to leave the earth, to take flight with my fated mate, but I cannot. Though I feel it is my place to be by his side as he faces down my brother and, even more, as he faces down his own brother, apparently fate has something else in mind. I can’t escape its plan.

Grant rises overhead, perpendicular to the earth, until his feet break past the tree line. He maneuvers his body to take a position reminiscent of a bird in flight.

“Alright. We’ve gotta pack up. Time to move,” says Austin.

My stare breaks from the shining morning sun’s refraction from Grant’s jet suit with what I hope will not be a fated, final farewell.