The Rise of Fortune and Fury (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 5)

“I’d be glad to,” Carrick replied without hesitation.

Zaid turned his gaze back to Finley. With uncharacteristic tenderness from the daemon—whose aura had lightened considerably after the battle, all the way to off white—he reached over and took her hand in his. He covered it with his other and held it between them. “Will you come with me? I admit to being nervous.”

Carrick had to force his jaw not to sag in surprise. Clearly, this was a conversation they’d had before, and he assumed Finley was behind this sudden desire.

“Of course I will,” she reassured, beaming a smile. It was like music to his eyes. Every day, there were more laughs and smiles, and he knew Finley would be all right.

“Thank you,” Zaid told her earnestly.

“Anything for you, my friend.”

Zaid pulled his hand from hers, but held her eyes. “And again… I’m really sorry about Zora.”

Carrick watched Finley carefully. Her face didn’t cloud over the way it would have just a week ago at the mention of her sister’s name. Instead, it softened, and her eyes became a little shiny.

“She was a hero the likes this world will never see again.” Zaid looked from Finley to Carrick, almost for reassurance that this topic was okay. When Carrick didn’t say anything, Zaid turned his gaze back. “But you’re an even bigger hero. Not to downplay anything Zora did, but I just don’t want it ever to get lost that your sacrifice was terrible to bear, yet you showed more courage and strength than anyone I’ve ever met. You are simply the most amazing person I know, Finley, and it’s an honor to call you my friend.”

That made Finley cry, but in a good way. She ended up hugging Zaid long and hard, and Carrick marveled at how far they’d come in their friendship.

* * *

The condo was quiet, Zaid had long gone home, and Carrick and Finley were lying in bed. He had just finished making love to her, and both were sated but not sleepy.

He lay behind her, spooning her body with his arm tight around her waist. He could tell by the pace of her breaths that she wasn’t even drowsy.

But she was pondering something.

“We should go on a vacation,” she finally said.

Carrick squeezed her. “I could get on board with that.”

“I’m thinking Fiji,” she murmured, probably because Rainey and Myles still gushed over how beautiful it was.

“We could make it a destination wedding,” Carrick suggested slyly.

That caused Finley to jerk slightly, and she twisted to look over her shoulder. “Seriously?”

“I’d never joke about marrying you,” he replied somberly. Then he grinned. “But if you want a big church wedding, we’ll do that. If you want to elope, we’ll do that. Or anything in between.”

“So we just go for it?” she asked with a grin. “Like tomorrow if we wanted?”

“If you want,” Carrick replied in a low voice. “Although, I’d probably like to get you a ring first.”

“Old-fashioned guy,” she teased. She went up on one elbow, turning on her hip to face him. “But I think we should just do it. Let’s get on a plane tomorrow, then get married somewhere.”

Her declaration was surprising, but not something Carrick was going to talk her out of. He’d marry her right now if she wanted to. He also went up on an elbow, “If that’s what you want, we are out of here first thing tomorrow.”

Finley smiled so brightly that Carrick was absolutely dazzled for a moment. He didn’t think he could love anyone more than he loved her right now.

“Okay, let’s make plans,” Finley said with excitement, but then scooted away from him to the edge of the bed. “But I have to pee first. And I want some water. And we should probably have a snack, too.”

Carrick rolled out of bed. “You go pee. I’ll get some chips and water.”

“See,” Finley said, the happiest he’d seen her since Zora died. “We make a great team.”

“That we do,” he agreed.

Carrick headed for the door while Finley went around the bed toward the master bath. She only made it a few steps before she gasped, causing Carrick to whirl around her way.

Putting her hand to the base of her skull, she winced.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Finley shook her head. “Nothing… just a headache starting. I’ll grab some Tylenol.”

Carrick didn’t move until Finley turned for the bathroom, but when she gasped again before making it, the sound was followed by a guttural moan as her face contorted in pain.

“Finley?” he said in alarm, moving her way.

Her eyes came to his, confused and glazed in agony. “Something… is… wrong…” she whispered before crumpling to the floor.

Carrick roared at the sight of her limp body, diving to the carpet beside her. He lifted her into his lap, calling her name over and over again as tears streamed down his face.