Destiny Series Boxed Set

by Bronwyn Leroux

  After Jaden’s friends confirmed Iri didn’t need them, they told her they would be right outside the hospital. If she needed anything, she had only to ping them. She was still marveling at the way they had included her and Atu as part of their group when she called Atu’s parents.

  Despite telling them Atu was okay and just needed some well-deserved rest, they had insisted on making the trip from Sven’s. But without gliders, their trip would take far longer. Iri assured them she would stay with Atu until they arrived. She didn’t tell them the arrangement suited her just fine. It would give her and Atu time alone before his parents arrived.

  With a longing look at her cot, Iri turned and forced herself into the shower. While she was dead on her feet and would’ve loved to crash, being dirty would’ve bothered her subconsciously and affected her sleep.

  Admittedly, the hot water rushing over her skin was bliss. She stepped out a good thirty minutes later, not even the slightest bit guilty she had taken so long. Being clean again was divine. Padding back into the room, it surprised her to find a food tray waiting. She dived in, thankful for the person who had thought to bring her a meal.

  Her lunch gobbled up, Iri pushed the tray aside and finally allowed herself to flop back onto the pillow. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. Hours later, she woke, the room dark and the hallway outside quiet. What’s the time? She checked her PAL. Nearly dawn. She had slept the rest of the day away and almost the whole night.

  She lay on the cot, abruptly wide awake like a second round of adrenaline had shot through her. She was having trouble assimilating everything that had happened. The trip to the mountains, the attacks, the tunnels, the ambush, the last artifacts, Slurpy’s demise, closing the gate. At every stage, death crouched at the door, waiting to pounce. But it had claimed none of the voyagers. And none of their precious gliders.

  Her heart pinched thinking of Tinks and Rozie. Is Rozie safely back home? Will she ever think about me again? Did the gliders forge bonds the same way we did as voyagers? Iri smiled in the dark. Jaden had been right. Everyone had played a role in bringing the ultimate victory. And they hadn’t shunned her gifts. They hadn’t shunned her.

  “What are you smiling about?” Atu was grinning at her, his teeth a white line in the dim light of the growing dawn.

  Iri jerked up. “You’re awake! How do you feel?”

  “Darn good, actually. Where are we?”

  “Kayla’s dad’s hospital. Do you remember what happened?”

  Atu nodded. “Every last painful second of it. How’s Markov doing?”

  “Just fine thanks to you. The docs checked him out when we arrived. Other than the residual weakness, they couldn’t find anything wrong with him.”

  “Excellent. Toward the end, I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to finish the task.”

  “You could’ve died, you know!”

  Atu nodded, his face solemn. “Yeah, I’m aware how close I came.” He studied Iri’s face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Iri closed her eyes against the memory. “You don’t know how awful it was to see your colors fading.” Iri abruptly stopped. “Hey, I just realized something.”

  A slow smile spread across Atu’s face. “What?”

  “I saw colors on you!”

  “Don’t you see them on everyone?”

  “You know I see them on everyone except you. How was it I could see them around you when you were healing Slurpy and Markov, but not any other time?”

  Atu shrugged. “I had nothing to do with it. Perhaps it’s something Zareh set in place when he gave this gift to our family. So someone else could tell if we were going over the edge and yank us back.”

  “And we can do that? Yank you back, I mean?”

  Atu looked surprised. “Yes. Did you think you couldn’t?”

  “We weren’t sure. Twice now, once with Slurpy and then again with Markov, your colors were so dim they were edging toward black. Kayla didn’t know if snatching you from your . . . state would harm you. We didn’t dare try in case it did.”

  “Well, now you know. It wouldn’t have been an issue. In fact, next time, can I ask that you do?” Atu ran a hand over his torso. “Then I won’t have to feel like a truck ran over me.”

  Iri jumped up. “I thought you said you were fine?”

  Atu put out a hand. “I am! Don’t get all excited. Just a little bruised and battered. It’s normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  Iri still called for the nurse. A few minutes later, the nurse assured Iri Atu was fine. Still a little dehydrated, but nothing else of concern. The nurse left, and Atu studied Iri.

  “Didn’t you believe me?”

  “I, uh . . .” Iri tossed her hands in the air. “Forget it! I just needed to be sure you were okay. I can’t see colors on you anymore, so I don’t know.”

  “And we’re back to what we were discussing before. Does it really bother you that much?”

  Iri suddenly realized how close he was to figuring out the real reason it bothered her. A little flustered, she fished for an explanation. “I promised your parents I’d look after you until they got here. I can’t do that if I can’t see or smell how you’re doing.”

  Atu’s grin reappeared. “You can’t smell me either? I think I smell pretty ripe after our adventures.”

  Iri was about to say something snarky, then burst into giggles. “You know what I meant. But now that you mention it, a shower before your parents arrive probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  “I suppose it would present a better front.” Atu noticed the way Iri was regarding him. “What?”

  “You’re lucky you have parents.” Atu blinked. Only then did Iri realize she had told none of them about her parents. “Before you ask, I don’t have any. Do you think I lived out in the forest all by myself because it was fun?”

  Atu shook his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I thought it was because of your gift.” He smacked a hand to his forehead. “And now that I’m saying it out loud, I can’t believe how stupid it sounds.”

  Iri waved it away. “That won’t change.” When Atu frowned, Iri clarified. “I mean, people will still shun me because of my gift. It’s still there. As is yours. I’m thrilled you can still heal people.”

  Atu sputtered. “What made you think I wouldn’t be able to?”

  Iri felt a little silly. “It’s just something I wondered about. You know, afterward. With the threat to this world vanquished, would our gifts disappear too?”

  “You thought perhaps we only received them so we could use them in the war against Slurpy?”

  “Yeah.”

  “If you’d lost your gift, would you have mourned the loss?”

  Iri had been wrestling with this question. She sighed. “On the one hand, I would’ve been normal and that would’ve been a relief. That I could fit into society. On the other hand, it’s . . .” Iri didn’t want to complete the sentence.

  Atu did it for her. “It’s what makes you, you.”

  Iri should’ve known he’d understand. “Yeah. If I’d lost the ability, it would’ve been like losing a part of myself. And much as I hate that my gift’s made me an outcast, it’s who I am.”

  Atu crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

  Iri cocked her head. He was up to something. She wasn’t sure what.

  “Iri, come here!”

  The way Atu was looking at her, Iri knew if she didn’t go to him, he would get out of that bed and come to her. She had no choice. If she didn’t want him overdoing things, she’d better comply. Slowly, Iri paced the few steps to the side of his bed. She stopped a foot away.

  “Closer.”

  Iri’s eyes were on anything except Atu. She noticed the water jug next to his bed. “Want some water?” Not quite how she had wanted that to come out, her voice husky and somewhat breathless.

  “Yes.”

  Iri eyed Atu suspiciously. Had that “yes” sounded more like he was answering a different question?

>   Atu sighed. “Iri, are you going to get me that drink of water, or do I have to call the nurse?”

  The words galvanized Iri into action. She splashed water into the glass, noticing her hands were trembling as she stepped closer.

  When his hand shot out and grabbed hers, trapping it, Iri jumped back, but his grip was surprisingly strong. Never taking his eyes from her, Atu eased the glass from her hand, leaned sideways, and set it on his side table.

  “Hey, you could’ve poured your own water!”

  Atu’s smile touched every part of his face. “But then I wouldn’t have gotten you this close. I wouldn’t have been able to do this.” He gave a quick jerk on her arms so Iri tumbled onto the bed next to him. Before she could slide away, Atu wrapped his arms around her, his face close to hers.

  Caged there, Iri’s heart thundered. She tried thinking of something to say. But she could only focus on how close Atu was. How those soft brown eyes were looking at her. How amazing those hands felt on her back.

  Atu moved a hand to caress her eyebrows, her cheeks, her lips. Iri groaned. She wanted him to kiss her. She opened eyes she hadn’t realized she’d closed.

  “Iri, never forget, I love you just the way you are. With or without your gift.”

  Iri was still stumbling over his words, the way he said them with such adoration, when Atu dipped his head and kissed her. For a nanosecond, Iri froze. She had never dared believe anyone could love her. Yet here was a man who loved her as she was. Iri melted into his arms. Savored the tender kiss. Ran her arms around his neck and then down those powerful muscles in his back.

  Iri lost herself in the kiss. Lost herself in Atu. This incredible, kind man who could see her. Iri. Not the odd person most of the rest of the world saw. The person most of the rest of the world shunned.

  When they drew apart some time later, Atu’s grin was brilliant enough to challenge the sun rising outside. “I plan on doing that again. However, I would prefer if I could do it when I didn’t stink. It wasn’t particularly romantic of me to kiss you smelling like this!”

  Iri laughed. “You think I care?”

  She pulled him into another kiss.

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Jaden woke with a start, then groaned. What possessed me to stay up so late last night? It had been a chaotic few days. The hospital discharged Markov, Atu, and Vicken the day after they’d arrived. Then it had been the tedious trip back home, lightened considerably by the companionship of friends and family and the terraporter’s comfort.

  Arriving back in Daxsos had been a rude awakening for Jaden. He had forgotten he would have to say goodbye to Kayla again as she left for her own home with her parents. When their ‘pod took her away, his heart wrenched. Kayla wouldn’t be with him twenty-four-seven anymore. Or so he’d thought. Somehow, despite living in their own homes, they’d created a routine that allowed them to spend every day together and a large part of most evenings.

  Last night had been no exception. He, Kayla, Iri, Atu, and his childhood friends sat around the fire, toasting s’mores and talking into the wee hours. Iri and Atu had stayed on with Kayla and Jaden’s families, respectively, when they’d returned. Atu’s parents were happy to let them spend time with their newfound friends without the pressure of saving the world handing over their heads.

  While Jaden had wondered whether the end of their quest would herald the end of his new friendships, it had done the opposite. His old friends had accepted Kayla, Iri, and Atu like they’d always been a part of the crew, and the group was tighter than ever.

  Jaden grinned and shook his head. How am I so blessed to have such wonderful friends? Friends who stand by me, no matter what crazy things I do or how crazy I sound. He recalled telling Markov about the Gaptors and their threat to the world. How Markov had believed him, even though he couldn’t see the monsters. How his friends had supported him through all this. How they had joined in this fight. How one of them had died for it. Not because Bree was doing something for Jaden, but because she believed in the cause. Because she had wanted to do her part to preserve what they had.

  Jaden sighed. Today, they would honor her. They would say goodbye. It was time to get dressed. An hour later, he sat in the church, Kayla on one side of him, Stovan on the other. Kayla had a death grip on his hand. Grateful for the comfort her touch always brought, Jaden squeezed her hand. Kayla glanced at him, her face drawn.

  No sign of her lovely smile today, and those amazing sage green eyes were shaded pools of sorrow, threatening to overflow. Jaden released her hand and put an arm around her shoulder, tucking her into him. When she burrowed in, he took as much solace as he gave.

  Jaden held her there, wishing he could ease her grief. Not only hers, but Stovan’s. That of their friends. Bree’s little sister. Bree’s parents. His own. But death was a foe they couldn’t defeat. This scar would mark their hearts as long as they lived.

  Avoiding looking at Bree’s coffin, Jaden’s eyes skittered across the platform and landed on her picture, her spiky hair tipped pink in the image. The same color it had been when he’d last seen her. Jaden closed his eyes against the sight of her falling off her glider. If only I could’ve . . . what? Jaden grasped for the words Stovan had given him at Sven’s. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  Initially, Jaden hadn’t accepted the words. But as their mission had worn on, he realized Stovan was right. There was nothing he could’ve done. Bree alone had made her choice to join this battle. She had known the risks. And she would trounce him soundly if he did Bree the disservice of not acknowledging her sacrifice. Of bring narcissistic enough to make this all about him.

  Well, maybe not trounce me, but certainly withhold her delectable edible creations. The thought finally brought a smile to his frozen face. He’d found his tribute for her when it was his turn to speak.

  It was a moving service. The pastor’s words were exactly what Jaden had needed to hear. After her parents’ eulogy, Stovan said his piece. Then Jaden, followed by every single member of their group. From start to end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church.

  When Jaden knelt next to Stovan to lift Bree and carry her to her final resting place, he wasn’t sure he could stand the grief ripping him apart. But for Stovan, he kept it together. As did Markov, Shianna, Atu, Iri, and Kayla. Jaden made a point of not looking at Kayla. Her grief would’ve been his breaking point.

  After that, Jaden didn’t remember much. How he got to the cemetery, he didn’t know. By then, he was too numb to think. He didn’t even hear if they spoke any words. Beyond tears, Jaden could only stare as Bree’s coffin was lowered into the ground. Could only walk on wooden legs when his turn came to drop in daisies. His offering fell, adding to the countless others already covering Bree, forming a beautiful white and yellow blanket of the happy little flowers she’d loved so dearly. Then he was moving on so the next person could take his place.

  Jaden stood to the side, not sure what to do. At a loss, he scanned the surrounding area. Perhaps he could find somewhere to sit.

  A tiny movement in the distance caught his attention. His eyes focused on the area. Nothing. About to turn away, it twitched again. Wanting something, anything to think about other than Bree, Jaden honed his attention on the area.

  That was when Jaden saw her, trying to stay hidden behind a tree. He wasn’t sure what he felt at that moment, but Jaden knew what he had to do. It was the one thing he could remedy, and he would seize the opportunity.

  Jaden sprinted across the lawns between them. She saw him coming, turned, and began running herself. Away from him. “No, Tarise, wait!” She didn’t slow down. “Tarise! Wait. Please!” No effect. Never mind. Jaden knew he was faster. Dimly, he heard the commotion behind him, but he paid it no heed.

  Ducking his head, he hoofed it. With no other way to stop her headlong flight, Jaden tackled her, bringing her to the ground so she landed on top of him. He lay on his back, breathing hard as Tarise squirmed in his arms.

  “Let me go! I just wante
d to say goodbye. Let go of me!”

  “Tarise, stop. I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to talk to you.”

  “You’re lying! You hate me more than all the rest of them combined.” She struggled more violently.

  “Tarise, I—” Jaden sighed. He tightened his grip so she couldn’t slip free. “True, you’re not my favorite person, but I don’t hate you.”

  Tarise stopped wriggling. “If that’s true, then let me go!”

  “Only if you promise not to run away.”

  Tarise was quiet for a moment. “You won’t try and hurt me?”

  “No, I promise. I just want to talk.”

  “Okay, I won’t run. But I will stand far enough away that I feel safe.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Jaden released her, and Tarise scrambled away, her eyes impossibly wide. She scurried to a spot a few feet away. “So talk!”

  Jaden sighed. She would not make this easy. “Could you maybe come a little closer so I don’t have to shout?”

  “No, I’m fine where I am.”

  Biting back irritation, Jaden took several deep breaths. Speaking to her without calming himself wouldn’t help. It would only carry over in his tone, which wouldn’t allow her to hear what he wanted her to understand.

  “Are you going to say something, or are you just thinking of how you can catch me again?”

  Jaden didn’t allow the barb to penetrate. “Tarise, I’ve wanted to take the blame for so many things that haven’t been my fault. It’s been humbling to realize I can’t control everything or everyone. I can only be responsible for the things I do. What others do is up to them and their conscience.”

  “You’re saying I don’t have a conscience?”

  Jaden had forgotten how difficult Tarise was to reason with. “I’m not saying that at all.” A small huff from Tarise. He’d better cut to the chase. “The way I treated you after the battle was unfair. I was distraught, but that didn’t give me the right to judge you. It didn’t give me the right to speak to you the way I did. For that, I am truly sorry.”