Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove, #2) (125)

I understood it. Wylder didn’t feel like talking to anyone, so it didn’t surprise me that he’d chosen the company of his silent brother. I was worried about him. But I knew he needed time more than anything.

My gaze returned to Owen. “Hey, Bubs. Think I could get a hug?”

His gaze dropped, but he crossed the distance toward me.

I reached out and squeezed his hand. “Anything you wanna talk about?”

He looked up, eyes watering. “Are you gonna go away again?”

My heart broke, but I pulled him to me, ignoring the flare of pain. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me. And I’m going to give you big, embarrassing hugs and huge, sloppy cheek kisses at drop-off and pickup all the time.”

“You promise?” Owen sniffled.

“I promise.”

Brae wiped at her eyes. “Love you, Supernova.”

“Love you to the moon, B Baby.”

“Again?” Maverick complained, wiping at his eyes.

“Okay, let’s stow the tears and have some happy. Open your present,” Waylon ordered.

I grinned up at him. “I can do that.” I looked at Sky and Owen. “Want to help?”

They were eager to assist. We dispatched the ribbon and the Bigfoot-patterned wrapping paper. And then I lifted the lid.

The clock was a stunning riot of colors. A rainbow of purples, pinks, and blues, and had a little leprechaun, animals, and mushrooms. “It’s beautiful.”

“Just wait,” Waylon said. “This is what happens when it hits the hour.”

He tapped a button on the back, and wild berry Skittles shot out of a fairy, spilling into a dish disguised as a pond.

“Waylon,” I whispered. “You made me a Skittles clock?”

He patted me on the shoulder. “You’ve earned it.”





I leaned back against the chaise on the back deck, staring up at the sky from under a heap of blankets. I’d taken an afternoon nap and wasn’t ready to go back to bed. I needed the stars, the endless infinity of the sky. It reminded me I was free.

I knew I had a lot to process ahead of me. But I also felt peace. And that was a wonderful discovery.

The back door slid open, and Kol moved across the deck to sit at the end of my lounger. “How are you feeling?”

My mouth curved. “I feel almost guilty for saying it, but I feel wonderful.”

“Why should you feel guilty?”

I lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “There are still people being taken out by all this. Aster and Wylder both feel like they missed signs they should’ve caught. Owen is uncertain whether I’m here to stay. This community had yet another of their own turn on them. And me? I’m … happy.”

Kol leaned in over me, kissing me softly. “You have earned that. Every single bit. Aster and Wylder will heal. Our community, too. And Owen? I’m pretty sure the fact that he wanted to see your ‘war wounds’ and was calling you a ‘bad booty operative’ by the end of the night proves he’s resilient.”

That last part made me chuckle. “You might have a point there.”

“Thank you,” he said, kissing me again. His knuckles skimmed across my cheek. “Didn’t feel like home without you here.”

“Kol …”

“Gonna ask you something. And it’s okay if you’re not ready.”

My heart started hammering against my ribs.

“But I know what I want. And so does Sky. We want forever with you.” He tugged a box from his pocket and opened it slowly.

I gasped at the stunning ring. A smoky blue-gray stone that was almost haunting in its beauty.

“It was my great-grandmother’s. It reminds me of your eyes. And it reminds me of finding you in the twilight—of all the twilights we’ve shared since.”

My eyes filled, and I knew the answer before he even finished speaking. “How about a forever of twilights?”

Kol’s throat worked as he swallowed, sliding the ring onto my finger. “Can’t think of anything better.”





Epilogue


Nova




FOUR MONTHS LATER

ISTRETCHED MY ARMS WIDE AS I LEANED FORWARD ON MY mat, my body twisting. “Feeling the stretch of warrior two,” I guided my class, as the early spring sun streamed down on us and a soft breeze picked up. “Keep breathing. If feelings come up, acknowledge them and let them flow. There’s no wrong feeling, and no feeling is final.”

It had taken time, but I’d come back to yoga. It was actually my time in equine therapy with Marly that helped me find it again. The horses had helped me get comfortable with stillness, quiet, and feeling. And then I’d been able to find my practice again.

Now, I taught three days a week as part of a program that Aster ran on her ranch. And another four classes at a small studio in town. I still worked two days a week at the Boot, but I wasn’t sure how much longer that would last. There was more and more demand for me to do additional yoga teaching.

Wylder was still struggling. He hid it pretty well, but I could see the shadows he covered with easy smiles and ready jokes. My go-to had been drowning myself in adrenaline, but Wylder did it with acts of service, helping others to the point of running himself ragged. But it was something he’d have to figure out for himself.