Page 119 of May: Bloom & Bane

Rasen’s gaze hasn’t left me. “We’re not your enemies. We just want what you have—our own Eden.”

His words settle in my chest as I stare at him, and all I can see is hollow eyes that have seen centuries pass.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I am so sorry. I know this isn’t fair to you. You’re desperate to find your mates, and I can’t blame you for that. But Therael is the only one who has been here, checking on us, giving Sage lessons, helping him⁠—”

“Helping?” War’s voice interrupts.

“He’s trying⁠—”

“We do not have time for your feelings. Four Horsemen are standing on your lawn because your mate can’t finish what he started. So either he seals it now, or we find someone who can make him.”

Sage’s vines tighten around my ankle.

“Choose your next words carefully, Horseman.” Ashán’s voice is colder than I’ve ever heard it.

“Or what?” Kaeran’s bell tilts. “You will challenge me? You look like you are barely holding yourself together, Reaper.”

The house shrieks, windows bursting one by one.

Ashán slowly rolls his neck. “Try me.”

“Enough.”

Famine puts his hand on Kaeran’s chest.

“Kaeran,” he rasps, “stand down.”

“They’re hiding something⁠—”

“And threatening his mate will not help reveal it.” Rasen’s pained gaze finds mine again. “Will it, Eden?”

I shake my head, swallowing around the lump in my throat.

“We don’t know why it hasn’t sealed. And if Therael knows any more than he’s told us, I trust that he has a good reason he’s staying silent about it.”

The headless Horseman raises a single hand. “You have three days, Reaper. Three days to discover whatever it is your God will not tell you. After that…”

He pulls on his reins without finishing his sentence. Kaeran’s shoulders tighten as he follows behind him. Pestilence silently slips out after them. Rasen lingers.

“I meant what I said, Eden.” His voice is barely a rasp. “We’re not your enemies. I hope you find your answers. Not only for us—but for yourself.”

The moment he joins the others, Nook exhales, tension bleeding from its walls. The porch stops trembling, and the door that was just shattered into a thousand pieces stands unblemished, as if they were never here at all.

Ashán’s wing collapses with a sickening crunch of bone. Sage’s vines go slack around my ankle, and he sinks to his knees.

“Ashán. Sage. What’s wrong?”

“Three days,” they murmur together, “Eden, we don’t even know where to start.”

I wrap my arms around him as tightly as I can.

Neither do I, Vaelí… neither do I.

CHAPTER 36

if i get to remember loving you

—SAGE