Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Ru pulled her bedspread up around her shoulders, careful not to disturb Cutter, who was sound asleep next to her, his arm still flung across her waist. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he’d actually left his body, but he was still there with her, just worn out completely. A smile spread across her face as she relished the feel of him. When she’d initially invited him upstairs, she thought they might just play around a bit, as they had earlier in the dark room. But things took a serious turn quite quickly, and by the time she’d completely surrendered herself to him, Ru realized what they shared was something far more powerful than she had ever imagined possible. Snuggling into his arms, inhaling his masculine scent, she felt the pull of their bond and knew this is where she belonged.

With her head next to his chest, Ru could hear the rhythmic beat of Cutter’s heart. Steady, unwavering, strong. Just like him. Her eyelids grew heavy, and Ru found solace in his embrace as she drifted off to sleep.

She was back in the garden. “Damn it,” Ru whispered. Looking down, she was happy to see she was dressed, at least in her spirit form. A long red gown flowed to the ground in a shade similar to the petals that rained down on her. Turning on her bare feet, she began to walk in the direction her gut told her would lead to Nat. She couldn’t see him with her eyes yet, but she knew he was there.

Off in the distance, perched up on the stone wall that surrounded the garden, he sat, dressed all in black, of course, polishing a long sword, which glinted in the light of the full moon. As she approached, he lowered the tip to the ground, setting the rag aside, waiting for her.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she said under her breath as she stopped a few feet away from him. She knew she’d have to be cautious, not allowing him to take any of her thoughts, which Cutter had already warned was a possibility. “What do you want, Nat?”

“I’m fine, thanks. And you?”

She pursed her lips and folded her arms. “We are not friends. This is not a social call. What do you want?”

He sighed, and Ru noticed a sadness in his eyes she’d never noticed before. “Nat? What’s going on? You never beckon me if there’s not something important to discuss. Please tell me you and the rest of the Reapers have decided to step out of the way and let us close the portals.”

His eyes widened and he stared at her for a moment before breaking into a laugh. It wasn’t maniacal or evil sounding, just the laughter of someone amused by something a friend might’ve said. “Seriously, Rune? Do you think that might be the case? Do you even think that’s my call?”

Ru shrugged. “Why not? Aren’t you the boss? You’re Azrael’s son.”

“That’s right. I am. I am Azrael’s son. And he happens to be the boss, not me.” The melancholy expression was back in his eyes, and he looked away. “That’s not why I’m here, Rune.”

A moment of silence passed between them where all Ru could hear was the sound of the falling flower petals as they rode a blanket of air to the ground. The exhale of fairies’ breath, barely detectable, yet loud enough to fill the void. “What is it then?” she asked.

Nat’s eyes were fixed on the ground between his boots. He fingered the sword, rocked the handle, thumping it into the wall. Clearing his throat, he began to speak without looking at her. “I have to kill you.”

The message hit her inside somewhere deep, though Ru wasn’t sure if it was her gut, or her heart. In a way, the information wasn’t new—she’d assumed her mortal enemy was charged with ending her, but the fact that he had been ordered to do so made the situation more complicated. There’d never been any question that she’d close the portals without killing Nat if she could do so. The thought that he’d have to kill her to stop her from doing so narrowed her options as well.

“I don’t expect you to say anything, I guess,” he continued, his eyes flickering up to meet her gaze before dropping back to the ground. “I’m sure you won’t make it easy.”

“Well, if you expect me to just bow down and let you do your bidding, then, you will be disappointed,” she admitted. “But, I guess I’m just shocked to hear you say the words. You saved me the other night—from the bull. And I haven’t even thanked you for that. So, thank you. But… what’s changed?”

“What’s changed?” he replied, looking up at her now. “You closed the portal, Ru. The portal I was using—the one I was in charge of. Now, not only am I supposed to prevent you from closing the other two, I have to make sure you can’t do anything else ever.”

Muttering under her breath, Ru said, “Little hard to close portals I can’t find,” hoping to throw him off. “Listen, Nat, obviously, I don’t want you to kill me. But… I don’t want to kill you either.”

His expression changed only slightly. An eyebrow raised a tad; his eyes widened. “Why not?”

“Why not?” Ru smirked, the sound of an awkward laugh escaping her lips. “I don’t want to kill anyone. But you—you’re different than I ever expected you to be, Nat. I mean… I feel like, in another life, we could’ve been friends.”

He stared at her for a moment, his green eyes boring through her. “Friends?” he repeated.

Ru had experience with this tone now and realized his intentions were beyond her own. “Hypothetically?” she shrugged, allowing possibilities to fill her mind. They were talking about another world, after all. “Maybe… maybe more. I don’t know, because it doesn’t matter. This is this world.” The words sounded ridiculous considering she was standing in a dream realm. “I mean, things are what they are.”

“But they don’t have to be, Ru,” Nat insisted, tossing the sword aside and jumping down off of the wall. “We can create any world we want to.” He’d closed the distance so that there was only a foot or so between them.

“Nat,” Ru began wishing she could just wake herself and bring what was quickly becoming a nightmare to an end, “you know that’s impossible. Your father would never allow it. And besides… I’m a Keeper.”

“You don’t have to be.”

“Yes, I do. It’s in my blood. It’s who I am. Don’t bother to remind me I also have Reaper blood. I know that. But in my heart and soul, we both know I’m a Keeper.”

Slowly, he raised his hand and brushed back a loose strand of hair, his fingertips kissing her cheek. “I suppose we are at an impasse then.” Somehow, he managed a chuckle as he withdrew his hand and folded them in front of himself. “I have to kill you, and you don’t want to die.”

“And I don’t want to kill you. In fact, I won’t do it. I hope that you can find a way not to try to kill me. I think, somewhere down deep inside of you, Nat, there’s a light.” He scoffed at her, shaking his head. “You may not see it, but I know it’s there. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have saved me. You wouldn’t cry over that family that died.”

“I was crying to trick you, Ru!” he exclaimed, putting his hands on his hips. “I could care less about Deena Jones and the family she slaughtered. I wanted you to think there was good in me so maybe you would join us. Nothing I’ve tried has worked on you, however, and my father realizes this, too. That’s why he’s ordered me to assassinate you. Which I have to do.”

Ru was stunned. It had never crossed her mind that the tears were fake. They had seemed genuine. “Maybe this is all a trick, too,” she muttered. “You trying to make me think you have feelings for me so that I’ll change my mind.” His expression didn’t alter, but she saw the light in his eyes flicker just a bit, as if it were beginning to fade, and she knew in her heart that wasn’t really the case. He did have feelings for her, though he’d never admit it again, not after she shot him down.

“Look, Ru, I just came here to warn you. In hopes you’d change your mind and either decide not to close the portals or join our side. If you make the wrong choice, rest assured I won’t. I will take you.”

“And when the moment comes, Nat, rest assured I will also do what I need to do.” Despite her tough words, she still knew she wouldn’t be able to destroy him. But she wouldn’t stand in the way of her teammates either.

“All right then,” he said exhaling loudly. “Now that we’ve both been duly warned, it is time for me to get back to planning your demise.”

“And I have portals to find. You wouldn’t happen to want to give up their locations, would you?”

“No,” he said quickly, taking a step back. “But something tells me you’ll find them. And when you do, I’ll see you there.”

“Great. Be sure to bring a coffin. You’ll be needing it.”

Once again, Nat was laughing at her. “To collect your dead corpse!”

Ru shook her head. “That was a good one.” He lingered, and she knew why. She didn’t really want him to go now, either. But she had made her choice and knew that it was the right one. “Goodbye, Thanatos.”

“Goodbye, Rune. See you on the battlefield.” There was no discharge of black smoke this time or leaping off through realms. He simply disappeared.

Ru breathed in deeply, the fragrant scent of the flower petals filling her lungs. It was such a beautiful place. She was glad she’d invented it. If only she had someone truly deserving to share it with. A thought crossed her mind, and Ru closed her eyes, sending out a secret wish of a message.

“You called?”

Opening her eyes, she saw Cutter standing under a nearby tree, the red petals contrasting sharply against the white shirt he wore and his blond hair. “That was quick.”

Shrugging, he said, “I didn’t have far to go.” He headed toward her, and Ru quickly closed the gap between them.

The feel of Cutter’s strong arms wrapped around her made Ru feel capable of anything while also completely vulnerable. She slipped her arms between his so that she could rest her head on his shoulder, her arms encircling his chest. His hand slid up and rubbed her back. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said quietly.

“Me, too,” he whispered. “You look so beautiful in that dress.”

Ru had to remember what she was wearing. The red, flowing gown. She wondered if she’d picked it out or if Nat had. She decided since this was her dream, she must’ve. “Thank you.” Thinking of Nat made her consider telling Cutter everything Nat had just told her, about his confession, his invitation, and his proclamation—that he had to kill her. But it didn’t seem to make any difference now, none of it. She was where she belonged, and she knew Cutter would protect her, not that she needed protecting. She could take care of herself. And it shouldn’t come to a surprise to anyone that a Reaper wanted to kill her. They all did.

“Ru, there’s something I want to tell you,” Cutter said, gently taking her arms and pressing her out so she could look into his eyes. “This seems like the most magical place to do it.”

“Okay…” she said, smiling up at him. It really was enchanting. She’d done a nice job. “What do you want to say?”

A light pink color began to spread up his neck, tinting his cheeks, as a crooked smile formed on his perfect face. “I, uh, I just wanted you to know that… well… what happened between us—back there—in your bed—where we still are….”

“You mean sex, Cutter?” she asked, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice, though it was hard.

“Yes, but not just that. I mean, that’s what I’m trying to say. It wasn’t just sex, Ru. Not to me. And I don’t think it was to you either. Was it?”

Unable to contain her smile, Ru shook her head.

“What I’m trying to say, Ru, is… I love you. I fell in love with you that day in the copy room, when you were vulnerable and desperate and had no idea who you were or what you were capable of. And now that you are aware of how amazing you are, now that you are a confident, powerful, fierce force to be reckoned with, somehow, I love you even more. I hope that isn’t too weird for you, especially since we have a lot of work ahead of us… but I just wanted you to know. I love you, Ru. I do.”

“Cutter?” she asked, peering into his blue eyes.

“Yes?”

“Are you done?”

“I think so….”

“Good. Then shut up and kiss me. Because I love you, too.”

The look of glee on his face was reflected in her heart as he followed her instructions and kissed her beneath the floating floral petals.