by DB Michaels
“I already told you.” Maxim shook his head, a shutter falling over his face. “There’s no us.”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to take care of Phineas, at least until his bandage is off?”
“Yes. So? What does that have to do with us?”
“Everything, Maxim.” Emma swallowed. She had to make him understand. “You’re the only one who can take care of Phineas. I can’t do it. Even the vet didn’t offer much help.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t you see? Phineas needs you like I need you. You’re his best chance of survival. He responds only to your voice, to your touch. No one else will do. It’s the same with me.”
“You’re being overly dramatic.” Maxim’s voice softened. “You’ll find someone else, Emma. Someone who can make you so much happier than I can.”
“Phineas opened his eyes and ate because you were the one feeding him. He won’t respond to anybody else.”
“He’s a bird. He doesn’t know anything.”
“Are you sure?” Emma placed a hand on Maxim’s arm, praying she could get her point across. “Animals have instincts. They know who’s good and who’s bad. Who they can trust and who they can’t. Phineas obviously knows he can trust you. Because you’re good. And kind. And worthy.”
“You’re being ridiculous. He’s only a bird.” Maxim stepped back but his voice was uncertain, as if he dared not believe what she was saying.
“Look at him. His eyes are following you everywhere you go.” Emma ushered Maxim toward the cage, hoping to demonstrate exactly what she meant. “All afternoon, he barely moved. He just kind of stared ahead, not eating or drinking. As soon as you step in and he hears your voice, he chirps up. See how bright his eyes are now? And look, he’s even drinking more of the water. He knows you, Maxim. You’ve taken really good care of him the past couple of weeks and he trusts you. Like you’ve taken great care of me and I trust you. You have so much good in you, Maxim. I wish you could see it.”
“Do you really believe that?” For the first time, a sliver of hope dawned in Maxim’s eyes.
“Of course I do. I love you, Maxim. You’re the only man for me.”
“Oh God, Emma.” Maxim pulled her up against him, his face raw with emotion. “Are you sure? I’m so afraid of hurting you. I’d die if anything happens to you.”
“You’ll hurt me more if you let me go.” Emma wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed with all her might. “I need you, Maxim. I couldn’t survive without you.”
“But what if something happens to you? I’d never forgive myself,” he murmured against her hair.
“That’s the risk I’m willing to take.” Emma cupped his beloved face between her hands. “Something bad can happen to me anywhere, anytime. But with you, I believe I have the best chance of survival. The best chance of happiness. You’re strong and kind and everything that I need. Everything that I want.”
“Christ, Emma. You bring me to my knees, you know that?” Maxim lifted her against his body and leaned his forehead against hers. “Thank you for giving me your heart. It’s more precious to me than anything in the world.”
“So don’t give it back,” Emma whispered against his lips. “It’s yours. For now and always.”
“Mine.” Maxim pressed his lips hard against hers. “I’m never going to let you go after this. You know that, right?”
“Right. I’m counting on that.”
On-ke-kaaangh. On-ke-kaaangh.
“Looks like our friend’s counting on it, too,” Emma added.
They turned as one to look at the blackbird and found him gazing at them, his eyes now bright and full of life.
Epilogue
Freedom at last. The day had finally come. Maxim drove Emma up Skyline Drive to hike the nearest mountain surrounding the prison. She usually didn’t like to backpack but this wasn’t going to be just another hike, much as she loved spending every minute with Maxim. He’d planned it perfectly, he said. Up they trekked along the winding trail, each carrying his and her special cargo. Maxim no longer needed his sling and had full use of his shoulder again.
Emma’s heart thumped hard with each passing minute. When they reached the pinnacle, she inhaled the clean, crisp air and soaked in the beautiful scenery. Snow-peaked mountains rose majestically around them while far below, a small stream wound its meandering course through the thick woods. Bursts of marigolds and bright yellow and orange poppies dotted the hillside. Off in the distance, a cloud of blackbirds sailed through the air.
“Ready?” Maxim asked, his beautiful eyes shining softly at her.
“I guess so.” Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and uncapped Sam’s urn. The ashes felt like fine sand as they coursed through her fingers. She lifted a handful and tossed it high into the air. Some of the ashes drifted down but most were carried away by the strong wind. “Be free, Sam,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”
Maxim unlatched the cage he was carrying and swung open its door. Phineas perched still for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. He finally spied the strewn ashes and cried out a loud chirp before lifting his wings and gliding out of the cage. His black wings glistened in the golden sunlight. For a brief second, he turned and looked back at them, his bright eyes blinking rapidly.
“Be free, my friend,” Emma said, scattering the rest of the remains into the air. Phineas sang his trademark birdcall before soaring away between the falling ashes.
Maxim embraced her from behind, pressing a kiss to her hair. Emma blinked away her tears and leaned back into the warm shelter of his arms.
OTHER BOOKS BY
DB MICHAELS
For an excerpt of DB’s upcoming second book in the Albatross Prison Series, please visit www.dbmichaels.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DB Michaels is a life-long reader who fell in love with the field of medicine during college. Double boarded in internal medicine and emergency medicine, she enjoys using her skills to help those in need. Working as a doctor in the prison system inspired her to write Song of the Blackbird, the first installment in her Albatross Prison Series. Though the book is fictional, it illustrates the power of love, hope, and second chances.
DB’s first passion has always been books and she is happiest when she is absorbed in a great novel or writing. When she has time off, she likes to watch old movies, dally in the sun, and spend time with her family.
DB loves to connect with readers on her website http://www.dbmichaels.com and on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/DBMichaelsAuthor. You can also sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bQOaZL.
Copyright © 2016 by DB Michaels
Published by Dream Tower Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9972798-0-1
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is purely coincidental.
By payment of required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this book. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of copyright owner.
Cover Design and Interior Format by The Killion Group, Inc. www.thekilliongroupinc.com
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