Page 201 of A Courage of the Chosen

Brodie nods, then coughs out a puddle of blood. “A-always . . . k-knew you’d b-be the one . . . to save us.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she cries.

“Oh, I . . . k-know.”

Elsie half laughs, half sobs.

“Look a-after . . . him f-for me?” he asks, lids opening a little wider to reveal bloodshot eyes.

My wife nods, tears streaming down her face as her grief merges with mine along the threads of our bond. “I will.”

He releases Elsie, and fists the sleeve of Eòghann’s shirt, tugging on him with what little strength he has. “N-never let . . . that one . . . go a-again.” Brodie’s eyes flit to Reyne and she comes closer, resting a hand on Brodie’s chest, the other on Eòghann’s shoulder.

“I’m going to marry her,” Eòghann promises.

“G-good.”

“K-keep him . . . on his . . . toes . . . R-Red.” Brodie fights to get the sentence out.

“Always, big guy,” Reyne replies, big blue eyes awash with the tears that cut through the gore marring her skin.

Brodie turns his head to look at me, and my grip on my emotions frays at the edges as an entire century of existence unfolds in the look we share.

“F-fighting . . . by y-your side . . . has b-been . . . the h-honor . . . of my l-life.”

The dam shatters, and the first drop lands on his face. As I wipe them away, Brodie catches my wrist and keeps a hold of me. I lower my hand to rest on his chest, over a heart that’s now struggling to remain beating.

“The honor has been mine, Brother.” My voice breaks, and I don’t shy away from the moisture now streaking down my cheeks.

Brodie’s eyes flutter closed, and his brows furrow like he’s fighting to stay alive just a few more minutes.

They remain shut as he speaks again. “Tell . . . R-Rach that I’m . . . s-sorry I d-didn’t . . . m-make it h-home . . . to h-her.”

Elsie leans her head on my shoulder, resting her hand over mine as she weaves our fingers together on top of Brodie. “Tell her yourself. She’s waiting for you.”

She says the words softly, and they land one by one, for each of us differently. A fresh wave of sobs takes Reyne, and Eòghann dips his head low. I pull back to look at her, what she’s saying not fitting together in my brain.

Brodie finds one last ounce of energy to open his eyes and look at us, deep-brown depths alive for the tiniest second. Something unspoken passes between him and my wife. She offers him a small, rueful nod, and my best friend looks to the sky.

“Elsie . . . what do you mean?” I uselessly stammer. I know full fucking well what she means.

An unrestrained smile stretches Brodie’s mouth, and utter peace overcomes him. “I-I’m . . . coming . . . b-baby.”

It’s in his look that I slot it together.

Elsie woke up, but my twin didn’t, and now she waits for him on the other side.

The chasm that formed in my heart when Rachel was corrupted ruptures into an abyss so wide it’s a physical ache, and it escapes me in a howl that’s closer to a wail.

Elsie winds her free hand through the hair at my nape as her chin wobbles.

“I couldn’t save her,” she mutters, resting her head against my temple. “I tried, but there was no undoing it.”

I’m going to say goodbye to two of the most important people in my life on the same day.

The only solace granted to us is that they’ll be together. Forever. At peace, in the comfort of whatever awaits us beyond this life.

Brodie’s heart thumps its final beat, that grin fixed in place as the life leaves his eyes.