A Battle of Blood and Stone (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 4)

Without a word, I rise from my chair and move out of the grouping, skirting around it. I head past the free-standing fireplace, which still bears the damage of Carrick throwing Boral against it, and straight for the sliding doors that lead outside. It’s utter silence behind me as I leave the group for the solace of the patio.

CHAPTER 24

Finley

Carrick doesn’t follow me out immediately, although I know he’ll come. He’ll think he’s hurt me, and he’ll want to make it right.

I go to a wooden chest that holds warm fleece blankets, then grab one. It’s still misting out, but some of the patio furniture is protected by an overhang. It’s cold enough that my breath is frosty, and I consider turning on one of the outdoor heaters.

I don’t, though, figuring I deserve to be cold and miserable given the way I just acted in there. It was not with the cool bravery and determination to do what was best for the cause that I’ve been exhibiting since becoming this sort of savior.

Choosing a couch, I settle one of the pillows behind my back and lean against the armrest, my legs stretched out before me. I settle the blanket over me and pull it up to my chin, staring at the southern part of the city that borders the water.

The sliding door opens with a soft whoosh, and I’m surprised he came out as fast as he did. I figured he was still continuing to make plans and ignoring my bratty exit because it didn’t deserve attention.

Sheepishly, I glance up. “What are you doing out here?”

The chastising look he gives me causes me to duck my face under the blanket. He moves gracefully across the patio to the couch I’m on. Picking up my legs, he takes the center cushion and drapes them back over his lap, his palms settling heavy and comforting on my thighs.

“I’m having a moment,” I say sullenly.

“You’re allowed,” he says simply as he looks straight ahead over the water. It puts his face in profile to me, which is as stunning from this angle as any other. Sometimes, there are brief moments I have doubts that someone as beautiful as him could love someone like me.

I even told him that once while we were lying in bed, and he stared at me as if I were crazy. He had told me I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his almost five thousand years of living.

I chose to believe him but, sometimes… I have doubts that surface.

I push those away though, because I have enough worries on my plate right now.

“What’s going on with you?” Carrick asks, twisting so he can look me in the eye.

I shrug, pushing the blanket down a little and playing with the fringe.

“Finley,” Carrick warns, his tone implying he wants to talk and he’s not going to accept shrugs, silence, or being vague.

The sigh that comes out of me is long, and I hadn’t realized how much I had pent up. “I feel like I’m drowning,” I admit.

Carrick tips his head as one hand squeezes my thigh in reassurance. “How so?”

“Well,” I say sarcastically, but also with a hint of teasing, “it’s a little pressurizing to be the savior of the world, you know. And, apparently, I’m solely the one who has to take down Kymaris.”

Carrick’s eyes go soft with sympathy, and he nods in understanding. I get why he didn’t want to add that last burden to my plate, but I’m glad I know.

I pick at the fringe some more. “It’s just… my life has changed so drastically in such a short period of time.”

“From barista, to business owner, to savior of the world,” he murmurs.

“To finding out I’m under a curse to be reincarnated over and over again,” I point out. “Let’s not forget that.”

Carrick chuckles, draping his arm over the couch and leaning in slightly toward me. “You have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

“Right,” I say in agreement. “But… I felt like I was handling it, you know? I was focused and driven, and we had a solid game plan. And now it’s all messed up, and we have to run. I don’t like it.”

Carrick studies me for a moment, his eyes roaming my face and ending on my eyes where he stares the longest.

Always my eyes.

“You’ve been so strong, Finley. Hell, just in the last few weeks, you fought a wraith, learned how to use your powers from Deandra, and went to Micah’s realm to steal the chalice and Blood Stone. You’ve had a less-than-satisfying conversation with your twin, who doesn’t seem interested in being rescued from the Underworld, you’re going to have to battle Kymaris, and you might have to sacrifice yourself in this prophecy. Even if you do make it, you’re destined to die by Rune’s curse at some point.”