Page 39 (1/2)

Kiyo sighed "But again--what if he si to wake up? How much tiht"

"We can’t leave him," I said stubbornly "I know you don’t like hiotiable"

Irritation crossed Kiyo’s features "My personal feelings have nothing to do with this! He’s a huge asset on this trip I don’t want to go to the Yew Land without him But I don’t want to waste valuable tienie, please Just think reasonably"

I jerked away Whenever he talked aboutreasonable, it usually involved haret better," I said "Just wait until ried to get hiht I walked hi and tried to ignore that he moved much more stiffly than he had earlier Once I was satisfied ere still within safety but wouldn’t interrupt anyone’s sleep with talking, I settled hiht, I laid hireen eyes looked dark in the poor lighting and stared up at the stars without seeing them

"Don’t leave me with him," I whispered fiercely "Don’t leave me alone You’re the only one who really understands et better We need you too much I need you"

I nearly started in on the same spiel I had before, about hoe couldn’t pull this mission off without Dorian’s skills Then, I reconsidered I’d been going on with that song and dance all day--and it had had no effect You ive the my voice low so that only Dorian could hear And I was certain he could He had to "I’m sorry I haven’t been very nice to youfor a while You’ve done a lot for me--probably more than anyone else--and I threw a lot of it back at you That rong I ree with the philosophy of the Iron Crown--you know I don’t--but I understand why you did it And I knoasn’t done to be manipulative Not intentionally, anyway I kno you are You need to get things accomplished, and when you see the reat leader It’s why people will follow you anywhere"

No response, of course I felt tears spill out of ness of this Things like this didn’t happen to Dorian Others, ainst his arm "You’re the only one who asked, you know About the twins And leaving them I miss theing down thisout in the coldthey’re always onif they’re out of the NICU I hope so--and it’s not just because itany more time than they have to with machines They need people and love And the people I left theood to Isaac and Ivy, but stillI wish I could be there with the therapy et back on track "I want you totheet you to them We both know their father’s useless, but I want the You and Roland are probably the greatest men I know, and I want you both around to help Isaac and Ivy--especially Isaac He’ll need good role uidance to protect hiood idea for Dorian "Anyway, you have to come back to me There’s too much I need you for Too ht You said you wanted to fix things between us and bring back the trust I want that too--but I can’t do it without you"

In a movie, this would’ve been the opti No such luck He stayed exactly as he was Feeling defeated, I wiped awayits toll, and I couldn’twords Nonetheless, I refused to leave his side Maybe I was too tired for pleading, but I wanted hi my face close to his sleeve in case any more tears broke free

Sleep found me in spite of my sorrow The body always knows best, even if the mind doesn’t I slept heavily, and no one woke me for my watch--which they really should have I stirred in thebrusheda butterfly had landed onreen and gold--and full of all the life and cunning I re to believe it A happiness and wonder I hadn’t even knoas capable of spread througha kiss to my forehead "Did you miss me?"

"Maybe a little"

"A little?"

"Okay Maybe a lot"

A slorious than the sunrise around us There was a joyous shout fro Someone had noticed he ake Dorian’s smile turned rueful

"Never a moment’s peace, is there? Well, then" He shifted hi "Let’s go do great things, shall we?"