by E. J. Mellow
My heart skips a beat.
“It passed.”
My mouth opens to speak, but nothing comes out, my chest filling too quickly with warmth for the future, and I know she can feel the shift in my energy.
“Happy Birthday, Molly,” Elena says gently, her gaze bright before stepping back into the room from which she came.
—∞—
The stars stream by endlessly, the billions of souls cocooned in sleep as they travel to their dreams, and I run my hands through the tall grass as I watch them zip in the opposite direction that I walk. Odi left me on the wall’s platform, giving me this brief moment of solitary as a birthday gift, and I soak in the quiet night. There’s no angry red glow peeking over the horizon or the smell of rot and death waiting to disturb me. The world is calm, the crickets chirping the song of tranquility as I make my way forward. A lone elm tree rests in the distance, and the closer I get, the more I have to keep myself from running toward it, for I know who will be waiting for me there.
As soon as I’m able to, I see his silhouette inking against the dark, his form tall, lean, and muscular as he leans against the trunk of the tree. His hands are tucked into his front pockets, and he watches as I approach, his blue flaming eyes never wavering from mine.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi.” Dev’s full lips inch into a grin.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“For you?” He gently pulls me to his chest. “My whole life.”
Even after everything we’ve been through, Dev can still make me blush.
“How are the lovebirds?” he asks after a quick kiss.
“In love.”
He smiles. “How monotonous of them.”
“I know. They should take a note from our story or something.”
“Or something,” he says, lazily gazing down at me. His features over the past year have rid themselves of the haunted shadows, the furrow that had always seemed permanently etched between his brows is all but smoothed away, leaving a younger, brighter Dev.
With my heart lifting at the sight, I run my fingers through his hair, and his eyes flutter close. “I heard you had a present for me.”
Dev’s eyes immediately snap open, and he laughs. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” I smile.
Shaking his head in amusement, he reaches around to his back pocket. “I have a feeling blabbermouth Rae had something to do with this.”
“Then your feelings are correct. Now, gimme gimme.” I snatch the velvet pouch out of his hands.
“It’s just a little something,” he says, almost shyly, as I pull out a delicately carved silver charm in the shape of a shell, of my shell, our shell.
“Dev.” I force down a swallow. I’ve already cried once today. It would be absolutely pathetic if I did it again. Yet, my eyes have different plans, and soon my cheeks are damp with my tears.
Dev brushes a thumb over their path to wipe them away.
“They told me what they were thinking of getting you, and while I might have hated that bracelet,” Dev admits with chagrin, and I know it’s because of the man who originally gave it to me rather than it actually being ugly, “I thought if it had a piece of me on there, of us, I might be able to grow to love it.”
I peek up at him through my lashes. “Thank you. This means more than you know.”
“Happy Birthday, Molly,” he says and tugs me closer again, placing his lips to mine. We stay wrapped like this until our separate body heat mixes to one and my legs grow weak in the knees.
“Want to go?” Dev asks after we finally come up for air.
I nod.
Holding hands, we walk from under the tree’s canopy, excitement pumping through my veins. While Dev and I might have our apartment to seek sanctuary from the constant crowds that circle me now, it would be maddening if that was the only place we could find our alone time. Luckily, we found a solution.
“Don’t bounce around this time,” I say. “It’s harder for me.”
“But how will you get better if I don’t test you?” Dev fails at hiding his smirk.
“Always with the testing,” I mutter. “Need I remind you whose birthday it is?”
Dev chuckles. “Okay, no bouncing, at least out here.” He shoots me a wink.
“Oh God.” I roll my eyes. “How you can go from a seducer to a cornball so quickly is beyond me.”
“Don’t be jealous of my overwhelming ability to be funny and debonair,” he says. “Now are we going to do this or not?”
“You’re the one who keeps distracting me!”
Dev’s eyes dance with mirth. “Whatever you say, birthday girl.”
My gaze narrows. “You know, I’m feeling rather weak today, like my power just might not be able to keep certain—”
“Okay, okay.” Dev all out laughs now. “I get the point. I’ll be good.”
My turn to smile. “Good.”
Settling my feet firmly on the ground, I pull and twist the energy that no longer lies purely in my gut but flows freely through every cell of my body, and even though I can’t see it, I know my eyes are growing brighter, for Dev has told me they always do for this. Like a hot slice of fire, my power shoots out to hook into Dev’s life source swirling in his chest.
On his gasp his emotions are instantly there for the picking, there to swim in and wrap within my own. Our love pulses strong, the surface like the soft petal of a flower, a butterfly’s wing, and a pumping of trust enters my heart. Dev is giving himself to me, giving me every bit to do as I wish, and it feels like everything beautiful all at once. This connection is deep and rare in any universe, just like this man standing before me.
“Ready?” I ask a bit breathlessly while our gazes remain locked.
“Always,” he says.
Barely having to think it, see it, I exhale, and our feet leave the ground. We lift up and up, higher and higher, suspended over the endless field where the walled city of Terra pulses in a blue-white glow in the distance. We hang there, sensing the freedom and the complete wholeness of the moment. For while Dev is my everything, he is also my equal, and I his. We are each our own shooting star that fills the sky, and when I feel his silent ask caress across my soul, I nod. And with a smile on both our lips, I tip our bodies forward and we fly.
Acknowledgments
I’m not going to lie—starting these acknowledgments was almost harder than writing this entire series. There has been so many amazing people associated with this trilogy being possible that it’s almost dizzying. To start off, it would only be appropriate to thank you, the reader, for making this world so much bigger and fuller than I ever imagined possible. The love shown for these characters has fueled me to make it here, writing the acknowledgments to the final book in The Dreamland Series. What a ride we’ve been on! I can’t be more appreciative or feel more blessed to have each and every one of you in my life.
To my family, who the first book was dedicated to, and to Dan, who has filled the spot for the last, you are my heart, my strength, and my ice tea on a hot day. I love you all.
To Corinna Barsan, I would cover your office with flowers every day if you would let me. Thank you for always being the first eyes to each one of my rough and filled-with-spelling-mistake drafts. You will always be my fairy godmother.
Dori Harrell, my editor superhero. I could get extremely gushy and emotional right now, but I’ll keep it contained by saying this—you are irreplaceable. Raising a glass to all our future worlds we will explore together.
To my Mellow Misfits, you ladies are my rocks, my fireworks, and every joyous beat of my heart. Thank you a million times and more for being my biggest voices of support. I’ve said it to you before, but I could not be where I am today without each and every one of you. Biggest group hug!
To all the bloggers who took a chance on an indie author, specifically Cassandra (@thebookishcrypt), Farrah (@foksha_1996) and Demi (@Demeriahh), thank you for your tireless support. We authors are lucky to have you i
n our lives.
To all my friends, new and old, who have cheered me along the way, I bow down to you in gratitude. Every one of your emails, texts, calls, and conversations over a glass of wine has been an ember added to my fire to keep doing what I love. Thank you…thank you…thank you.
Also by E.J. Mellow
. . . .
The Dreamcatcher
(book 1.5 in The Dreamland Series)
He captured hearts and now he’s captured the spotlight.
Experience The Dreamcatcher, a novella comprised of scenes from The Dreamer told from Dev’s point of view, as well as seven extra scenes that did not appear in book one!
Add To Goodreads
About the Author
E.J. Mellow is an Award Winning fantasy writer who resides in Brooklyn, NY. With a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts she splits her time between her two loves—visual design and writing. E.J. has no animals, but loves those that do.
The Destined is the third and final book in The Dreamland Series.
Stay Connected with E.J. Mellow
Join Newsletter
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Goodreads
Blog