Eclipse: Time Thief (Romantasy)

66. Return

"Are you sure about this?"

I cocked my eyebrow at Dr. Drake. Was that a serious question? "Yes. Absolutely. Let's do this, now. I need to get back to my people as soon as possible."

"You can take more time to recover from what you've been through. You experienced death, Max."

"I'm ready to go home. Come on."

I tapped my fingers against the table. We'd just learned that the Collective gave all the worlds like mine the right to continue without being shut down while they conducted investigations into the supervisors.

I breathed slowly and met Dr. Drake's eyes. "Thank you for your help. When I come back, I'll remember what you did for my world."

"Be careful, Max. You've already felt so much pain. If you lose this body, they won't make you another."

"I will." I breathed in deeply. "You said Flare was with the Prophet in the temple. Are you sure there's no sign of her leaving?"

"I'm sure. I'll pull you back into this room after you confront her. If she can't be reasoned with, let me take care of her."

Reason with her. Ha! I had no intention of reasoning with Flare.

Dr. Drake took my hands and looked into my eyes with what truly must have been the look of a god. So full of wisdom and grace.

"Max," she said. "You have many lives to live. You're so young. Remember that what you do matters, in every life and every world."

I squeezed her hands. "See you on the other side, Dr. Drake." I lay down and closed my eyes, ready to wake up back home and deal with Flare according to my rules.

~~~

Dr. Drake did not disappoint. I woke up at the Door of the Gods with the promise that when I walked out, I would be wherever I wanted to be in the world. And I knew exactly where that was.

Dying hadn't been easy. Coming back to life wouldn't be either. I hesitated before the door, realizing I was trembling.

"It'll be fine," I whispered to myself. "Be strong."

Taking in a deep breath, I lifted my chin and stepped out of the door into the courtyard at the Sacred School. The smell of hickory and grass filled my senses. Home. This had become home for the first time to me.

I wanted to run for Nash, but first I needed to see what was happening. They had all been through so much already. I had to be careful.

Dew wet my boots as I tiptoed into the yard. The sun had just risen. Quietly, I picked my way to the door, and opened it slowly so it didn't make noise. Silent steps carried me to the residential hall and into Nash's suite.

I steadied my breathing as I slid the door shut and crept to the bedroom. Standing in the doorway, my heart pooled in my stomach. Nash slept in the middle of the bed with Elsie bundled up in his arms.

If I was careful, I could wake Nash without Elsie stirring. But I didn't know how to do this without giving Nash a heart attack. Maybe I should have waited until he woke up.

My heart stormed. I couldn't.

Morning sun shone on the ground beneath the curtain. I stood in it, staring for a moment. His curls were a mess, his beard growing out, and the bed was covered in Elsie's toys and clothes. Imagining him here for this past week, likely more certain with each passing hour that I'd never return, grieved me deeply. My heart twisted as I slid into the bed beside him and placed my hand upon his heart, settling my lips against his ear.