Page 136 of The Last One

Philia darts out of the cottage.

Stopping destructive forces had been a monumental task when I thought Jadon cared about me, when I thought Olivia and Philia were on my side. But now, there’s only one person I’m willing to save: Veril Bairnell the Sapient. He’s been my friend, my healer, a stand-in father. I’ll save the realm for him.

Together, the old man and I leave the cottage, still gauzy in its enchantment from the battaby attack. Jadon stands at the head of the path, his back to me. Philia is shoving who-knows-what into one of the now-emptied satchels.

I adjust the cuffs on my boots. “How long will this journey take?”

Veril slips Warruin into his free hand. “What is time, dearest?”

I snicker. “That long, then.”

“We’ll get there,” Jadon says over his shoulder.

Or we’ll all die trying.

PART IV

Get There

If You Can

Inside the realm of gilt-less stars,

Love lacerates yielding scars.

Fragile hearts break, friendships end.

They pursued love, which could not ’scend.

Hear the echoes of love untold,

In starlit nights, in stories old.

A dirge that nurtures a flame unlit,

They fought odds and they fought writ.

Blighted grounds where nothing grows,

A battered love endures woes.

Whispers flit like moths’ hasty grace,

They grapple for love in a precious space.

Hear the echoes of love untold,

In starlit nights, in stories old.

A song that saddens their tender hearts.

They crave time but love must part.

Betwixt the veils of starlit tears,

The sinister rebel nears.

Traitor to the realms’ sublime light