Adora!” Ivy called, running toward us as we boarded her father’s boat.
Adora’s face lit up, her green eyes sparkling, when she looked back at me. Grabbing her hips, I hoisted her out of the boat, and she took off, sprinting down the dock to meet her sister. On the starboard side of the boat, I stepped up onto a cleat, holding a pole while the engine rumbled beneath me. I did not wish to lose sight of her.
After the two embraced each other, Ivy handed her something, and they walked back this way.
“Ivy’s coming with us,” Adora announced, grabbing the pole and climbing back onto the boat. “And you can drive,” she told her sister. Then, under the light of a silver moon, the Finneuma sailed to Bone Island.
At the bow of the boat, Adora sat in my arms as the cold pricked our faces like the ends of pins. She had sunk against my chest, hiding inside my coat as I twisted her wedding band that Ivy had returned around her finger where it belonged. After all these years, the sapphire was melted and placed back in its proper setting, dangerously tucked away inside Adora’s coat pocket.
Phoenix and Zephyr sat across from us. The nightly waves, and what was to come, kept us quiet. Above, the vast, marble night sky meandered for eternity, and all around us, snowflakes tumbled and darted. The lighthouse beam rotated, its light sliding across our somber yet contented faces. And every wind sent Adora’s vanilla scented hair tousling about my face, and I wanted to soak this moment into the palms of my hands.
“In this boat we were in the habit of going on some of the maddest freaks in the world,” I said, sliding a gaze to Zephyr with a grin.
“Eddy P.,” Zephyr echoed.
At the stern of the boat, Julian, Fallon, and Beck gathered. Ivy sat in the captain’s chair. Fallon was here for a reason, one that I had not yet told Adora about. I was not entirely certain if Julian had been truthful with Fallon, either.
“Stone,” Ivy called.
I turned, and she jerked her head in the dark, the small console lights from the boat hitting her face, indicating that I should join her.
“I’ll be back.” I left Adora my coat and joined Ivy in the cockpit.
Standing beside her, I grasped the frame, shivering and squinting my eyes against the wind.
“You really do love my sister,” Ivy said. Bold and blatant.
“I do,” I replied, looking down at Adora, who was facing the lighthouse. I gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head slightly to face her, grinning nervously. “I don’t know what will happen, if she’ll be with him for the rest of her life or if by some miracle we can be together. I don’t know, but regardless, I promise, so as long as I’m walking this earth, I will do everything I can to make sure nothing harms her.”
“I believe you,” she said, smiling, bidding me a look. “You know Adora designs dresses, right?” I nodded, unsure of where her question was leading. “First, it starts in her notebook, and she draws out a design. Then comes the obsessive part when she gathers all the fabric and locks herself up for hours. She won’t eat. She won’t sleep. She will sew and sew until her fingers bleed and the design is done.” She held up a finger. “But it’s not until that dress is on a body, and Adora experiences the first look. When that happens, for a split second, you can see the child in her. Like she’s five again, and there’s no pain, or worry, or the weight of the world on her shoulders. She’s not angry, or sad. For one second, there is pure happiness in her eyes.” I was looking at the side of Ivy’s face as she stared straight ahead, a tear rolling down her cheek. “She had that look when she told me about you.” She wiped her face.
Despite the cold, my chest warmed by her words. I chuckled nervously, blinking the water from my eyes, holding my palm to my chest. I wanted to say something, but words were knotted in my throat.
Ivy quietly laughed at me, shaking her head.
“I’ve never had a father, and not much of a mother,” I told her. “But I wonder what I would be like if I had someone like you in my life.” I leaned forward on the console to catch myself on a breaking wave. “She looks to you for guidance and stability and love, and you’ve given this to her. What I’m saying is thank you because she’s a remarkable woman because of you.”
Ivy’s face fell when she looked at me. “Why are you saying this?”
“You should know, and I have the feeling you’re not reminded enough.”
Her eyes narrowed. “These sound like last words.”
I wet my lips, stealing a glance at Adora sitting under the star-filled sky in the middle of the Atlantic, wrapped up in my coat. “When we get to the shore, the Heathens are drawing straws,” I said, knowing the wind and sea were drowning out my words so Adora couldn’t hear them. “Someone needs to wear that necklace and chant the spell Circe cast all those years ago. Unfortunately, it requires a last breath, so one of us has to go.”
“Why does it have to be a Heathen?”
The lighthouse beam rotated again, and an exhale blew from my nose. “Look around, Ivy. Do you see anyone else here?” It didn’t matter. I’d be here regardless. Saving Circe’s soul meant saving Adora’s soul. If I could set Circe free, Adora would no longer have to suffer the madness she’s been battling. She could be set free, too.
“She’s going to freak out.”
I sucked in a breath. “I know.”
“Fallon must not know either.”
Behind us, Julian was nuzzling her neck like a puppy, while Fallon stroked his head. She must have felt my stare because her pale eyes found me. A peculiar gaze. “She must not,” I whispered.
“If it’s Phoenix, Fable will never have had a chance to say goodbye,” Ivy said, thinking out loud.
My attention moved to Phoenix, and I remembered his memories of Fable, and how important Fable was to him. “Julian gave him an opportunity. Phoenix is hurt and stubborn, willing to take his broken heart with him to his grave.”
“So, I guess we’re hoping it’s Beck or Zephyr.”
“Zephyr would be the obvious choice,” I slid with grin. “Since he’s cursed and all.”
Zephyr bid me a wicked glare, and I wiggled my fingers at him.
On my return to the bow of the boat, I slapped Zephyr’s leg before retaking my seat beside Adora. “I like your sister.”
“That’s weird,” she replied. “No one likes my sister.”
When we reached the shores of Bone Island, I was swept up in opposing waves. Memories, anxiety, fear. They hit me one after the other. Sadness from leaving a place I once called home, anxiety from the unknown, fear of the future. Bone Island was like opening our book, and forcing myself to re-read the chapters we’d already written, then leaving our book unfinished.
As I stood, scared, a smile spread across Adora’s face.
“We’re home,” she said, her eyes gleaming as she looked at me.
Home, I thought, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head as the night held us close together. I felt Julian’s gaze on me as he and Fallon exited the boat.
It was time.
The eight of us stood on the shore under the lighthouse.
I surveyed the island, recounting all the places I’d made Adora moan. I’d recounted the times we’d spent together on this beach, in those woods, in the lighthouse, whether we were whispering or shouting or kissing or crying.
“Stone,” Julian called, nudging his eyes in the direction of Adora.
I turned to her. “All right, Adora, I need the sapphire.”
Adora looked so small bundled up in layers. She glanced up at me nervously as she withdrew the chain from her pocket and placed it into my gloved palm.
I passed the sapphire to Julian.
Julian stole a glance at Fallon, then passed the sapphire to Phoenix.
Phoenix shoved the sapphire into his leather jacket pocket.
The five Heathens gathered in a circle as icy winds blew into us from all directions. I felt my nerves splitting at the ends as we exchanged glances. I could sense Adora behind me, and it felt like it was hailing in my chest, ice pelting against my ribcage, the icy winds rushing across my bones.
“Hey.” Adora tugged on my shirt. “What’s happening?”
Beck reached into his coat and pulled out the straws.
He kept them locked in his fist, extending them to the middle of the circle.
“Wait a second,” Adora said, confused. “I don’t know what’s happening.”
The Heathens remained quiet, and Beck looked at Phoenix first.
“Stone, what’s happening?” Adora begged behind me, clutching my sides. The winter howl drowned out her voice, but I could still hear her every word, and it was tearing me apart.
“It’s okay,” I told her, throwing an arm behind me to comfort her as Phoenix shook out his hand and blew out air between his cheeks.
“Okay,” he said, shifting in place.
Then he drew the first straw.
He was safe.
His chest caved as he let out a long exhale.
That was when Adora understood what was happening.
She shoved her hands into my back. I jerked forward but didn’t stumble. Keeping my back to her, I bit the inside of my cheek to control myself and keep still as she continued to slap my arms and shove her palms into my shoulders, my back, my arms. “Stop!” she cried, hitting me over and over again. “Please, Stone. Stop!”
Zephyr was next.
To my right, his green orbs found mine as he drew a straw. Like he needed me for strength. Our gazes left each other and crawled to the straw in his hand. He was safe.
Beck shifted his fist in my direction.
It was my turn, and Adora gripped my arm, yanking on me, trying to turn me around. She was cursing and crying, and I was trying so hard to keep it together. Stone not paper, I chanted, balling my fist, finding the will to get through this.
I lifted my eyes to Julian who was standing across from me.
I was praying to the gods that it would be him.
He was praying to the gods that it would be me.
We were both thinking the same thing.
Behind him, Fallon stood, only half of her face visible. But she stood silent, and from what I could see of her face, I saw no worry. Julian had to have told her whatever she needed to hear to make her this calm, confident. He could have promised it wouldn’t be him, and perhaps he even had a way to make sure this was true.
I reached out, my hand hovering over the white straws in the darkness as each one of Adora’s cries was a blow to my chest. And when I pinched a straw, Julian blinked. A quick intake of breath.
I moved to another, watching his expression.
His eyes were like two daggers cutting into my mind.
My eyes closed, and I drew a straw from Beck’s fist.
Seconds suspended there.
Adora’s cry shattered me into a million pieces before I found the nerve to open my eyes. From her reaction, I already knew, and I hung my head. What have you done? I asked myself, feeling Zephyr’s hand come over my shoulder.
When I opened my eyes again, the night was blurry.
Julian was already turned away from me and hugging Fallon, smiles on their faces. And again, he had it all. He would have a lifetime with her, and I fucking hated him.
Dropping my head back, I looked up into the night sky, bringing in my tears, trying to muster the strength to face Adora. I was not afraid of death, for I had died thousands of times. Death had never cared for me, so why give Death the pleasure of my fear? If I had to die, I would die with fortitude.
Adora, however, would be the one to suffer.
And she would suffer in the mess I’d left behind.
Zephyr grabbed the back of my head and pulled me close. “No one will hurt her. You have my word,” he promised in my ear. I nodded, unable to stop a tear from escaping. It landed on his mask. “Don’t let them see you cry.” I nodded again. “Be strong for her.” I dragged in a scattered breath, nodding.
After a short time, we broke apart, unable to look each other in the eyes. It was too difficult.
And Adora was hysterical behind me.
I could feel her pain like fists against my back.
I turned slowly, catching her eyes so bright and green.
The tip of her nose and her cheekbones were pink, and tears stained her face, track marks down her cheeks. Her lips were wet and trembling as she walked backward, holding her hand out in front of her to block me.
“No!” She cried, stepping back, her voice broken. “This is not happening.” Then she pointed a shaking finger at me. “You don’t deserve this! Why not Julian?!” she screamed, looking past me with eyes focused on Julian. Behind me, the Heathens just stared at her, saying nothing. Julian looked away, turning toward Fallon. This only made Adora more angry. “If anyone should fucking die it’s you, not Stone!” She charged at Julian, and I intercepted, grabbing her.
She beat my chest with her small fists.
Every blow sliced my heart.
“Adora, please.” I tried calming her down, but she struggled as though I wouldn’t die if she never said goodbye. “I’m begging you not to use this time to hit me or curse me.” Her body became weak, and she collapsed into my arms. The waves were soothing. Her cries were agony. The cold slashed across my face. It all made me shiver. “It feels right,” I said to her, rocking her against my chest. “It started with me, it ends with me.”
She shook her head, my shirt soaking up her tears.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves. if I told you the plan, you wouldn’t have let me come here today.” I sighed. “God, and I love you for it.”
“There has to be another way,” she cried. “I can’t do this without—”
“Yes, you can.” I leaned back to look her in the eyes. “Yes, you can. Life passes by like this,” I said, snapping my finger. “Time moves too quickly, Adora. Therefore, you will make the most of it.” I pushed her hair back. “My promise to you is that this anger possessing you will leave you. You will not have to bear the burden of it any longer.” I wiped my face. “You once told me you’d break me.” I chuckled through my emotion. “Do you remember that? That I wouldn’t feel it today, or tomorrow, that it would come when I least expected it?”
Adora nodded, and I smiled. “I believe it to be true for happiness, too. That perhaps you won’t feel it today, or tomorrow, or even the day after that, but it will hit you when you least expect it. And when it comes, I don’t want you to feel guilty about it. I want you to let it happen. Because the more good moments, happy memories, and smiles you have, the easier it will be for pain to fade. Then one morning you’ll wake up, and you’ll think of me, and it won’t hurt anymore. You’ll think of me and smile, not cry.
“You also have to have children,” I continued. “This time, I don’t want to be forgotten. So, I want you to have children so you can tell them about us, and how we fell in love, all right? A cautionary tale that echoes into eternity.”
I exhaled, blowing out my cheeks. This time, I was dying as a hero, so perhaps I would be reborn into one instead of a monster.
“And you’re going to have a funeral for me,” my words caught in my throat. “I never had a funeral, and you’re my wife, so you must. You’re going to celebrate what we have, and you’re going to wear that red dress, all right?”
Her eyes were so green as I wiped the tears from under them.
“I’m so going to find you, Adora Danvers,” I whispered, everything blurry. I wiped my face to see her better, then held hers again, keeping her flush against me. “When the time comes, I don’t care what year it is or who your soulmate is, I’m coming for you.”
Adora wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on our shore.
She tasted like my final breath, and I drowned in the kiss, pulling her closer—our faces wet, our hearts aching, our lips desperate.
When I found the courage to pull back, Adora’s eyes veered first, drifting behind me. I watched horror slowly consume her face, and then she was ripping herself from my arms.
I turned, and Adora was sprinting down the beach, illuminated by the moon, screaming for Ivy, who was standing at the shoreline near the rocks.
The sapphire was hanging from Ivy’s neck.
It all happened as though I was watching a film from the corner of the island. As though it were all a story and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
The sapphire glowed bright blue, and an aurora surrounded her in the night. This light showed shadows snaking around her body. They spiraled from her feet to her head, coiling as if to exhume her soul. Then one by one, these shadows slid into the sapphire, disappearing inside.
I broke from my paralyzed stance and ran after Adora as the sand tore in my wake.
“Adora!” I screamed, not hearing it but feeling the scream claw my throat.
But it was too late.
Ivy Sullivan took her last breath, then collapsed upon the rocks.
Adora fell to her knees at her side, her cries piercing through us all.
I halted, my hands flying to the top of my head, my mind numb.
“Someone help me!” Adora cried out on her knees in an agonizing scream, fisting Ivy’s coat, her face wet under the moonlight. “Stone! Help me!”
Suddenly, Circe appeared in the shallows. She looked just as I remembered from the dream, long, wet hair clinging around her shoulders, water raining from her sopping wet dress.
At last, Alec had broken free from his death echo and was standing at her side, looking down at her. Then he took her hand. I watched, frozen, unable to tear my eyes away, hearing Adora’s cries as though she and I were in the background behind Alec & Circe’s love story.
From where Ivy lay, a small girl emerged and joined them.
“Hedera,” I whispered just as Alec turned toward me.
Across the waterline between us, the lighthouse beam reflected off something that had washed up on shore.
I walked closer and picked it up from the sand.
It was the cigar tin that held the envelope Ambrose had given me all those years ago. I looked back at Alec with the tin in my fist. His gaze moved, peering up at the lighthouse beam. And the three vanished into the night just as the lighthouse beam stopped rotating, and the light flickered off.
Dawn spread across the Atlantic, and at last, the sun came out.
“Good morning, Weeping Hollow. It’s Monday, February 1st, the start of a new month, with some breaking news. The Shadows have been defeated, and my sources say a mysterious group of heroes sailed back early this morning at sunrise from Bone Island, where, for the first time in over a century, the lighthouse beam finally went out. That’s all we know for now, but I think this one calls for Wake Me Up by Avicii. This is Freddy in the Mournin’ with your Hollow Headlines. Remember, no one is safe after 3am. Owwweeeeee.”