Page 85 of Honor & Heresy

“No, I’m glad you told me,” Roy said. “I don’t think I’ll ever remember him withoutfeelingsomefear, nor do I think I’ll ever be able to disassociate him from my weakest days, but it’s become a little easier to talk about him.”

A touch of amusement entered Briar’s voice.Because of Percival, you mean.

Roy rolled his eyes.“Am I that transparent?”

Maybe, Briar said.Or maybe you’re just happy.When Roy smiled at the ground, she placed a smoky, tenebrous hand on his arm—which passed through the top layer of his skin.No, don’t do that. Don’t act coy. You deserve this love. We both know you do, Roy. Don’t hide what you have with him.

“I don’t know if I love him,” Roy said. “I don’t think we’re there.”

Not yet, but unlike some of us, you both still have time.Briar shooed him away.Now, goodness, why are you still bickering with your little sister when you have a man to get back to? That’s rather sad, don’t you think? Go and kiss him until he’s breathless and red in the face, you idiot.

Roy laughed. “All right, all right. So long as you find Irene before you go.”

Don’t worry, Roy, I’m one step ahead of you,Briar said, then glided toward a tall ghost loitering on the corner of a sunlit street. She hooked her arm through the ghost’s—Irene’s—elbow, and they set off together for one final stroll.

Roy was still smiling and watching the two ghosts drifting around the corner and out of view, his eyes filling with tears, when Percival joined Roy after his reunion and farewell with Owen.

“It went well, I assume?” Roy asked, sniffling.

“About as well as yours, it looks like,” Percival said. He kissed Roy’s temple. “Apparently Owen knew Tessa and a couple of Briar’s other associates. Perhaps we can start there. Are you ready?”

“Maybe a little later; there’s no rush,” Roy said. “I think, for right now, I just want to find a place to sit with you in the sun.”

“I think I want that, too.”

They did not have to look too far. For down the cobbles of every street and on the summit of every hill, there was sunlight. And for the first time in what felt like forever, that sun brought warmth.