Wicked Memories (CASTLE OF DARK DREAMS)
Page 29
Thorn rose to follow her. He glanced at Kayla and she nodded. She understood that this was something he needed to do alone.
He caught Sparkle just as she reached her car. “Have a few minutes?”
“Not if all you intend to do is heap more abuse on my head. I’m already having a bad hair night. I don’t need you making it worse.” She lifted her chin and glared at him.
“Don’t worry. I’m fresh out of abuse.” He forced himself to meet her gaze. This needed saying. “I’ve hated you for almost a thousand years.”
She frowned. “Look, this isn’t the time—”
He held up his hand to stop her. “I was wrong. You didn’t sell me into slavery. Yes, you dumped me, but that didn’t deserve the kind of vengeance I wanted to hand out.”
Sparkle smiled, and Thorn remembered why he had thought there would never be another woman for him those many centuries ago.
“Well, it took you long enough.” Her smile faded. “I’m sorry for what happened to you and your family because of that night. You’re not the only one who was wrong. I’m a thousand years older and a little bit wiser. I wouldn’t ask someone else to do my dirty work now.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. Oh, and I’m rebuilding Nirvana. My father will be my partner in the new park.”
Sparkle shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to get used to staring at another freaking Ferris wheel.” Left unsaid was if she ever returned.
Thorn smiled for the first time. “Not really. We’re building the new park farther up the beach. You’ll have your view back.”
She didn’t say anything, just stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “I hope that you and Kayla live long and well. And tell her to dress sensually. I expect her to be Asima’s new slut queen.”
He put her suitcase in the trunk and then held the door as she climbed into the driver’s seat. Thorn could see the rest of the castle’s nonhumans peering through the glass doors at them and waving.
Just before Thorn closed the car door, Holgarth joined him.
The wizard touched Sparkle’s shoulder. “If you should need help from anyone here, just call. We’ll come.”
For one of the few times that Thorn could remember, there was no snark in Holgarth’s voice.
Sparkle reached up and patted the wizard’s hand. There was a sheen of tears in her eyes. She said nothing as Thorn shut the door. He watched her drive away from the Castle of Dark Dreams for maybe the last time.
Thorn and Holgarth didn’t speak as they entered the castle.
Kayla wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s it?”
He nodded. “Sparkle Stardust has left the house.”