Free Ever Winter by Alexia Purdy Page A

need from that wretched Corb. So I’ll let Dylan spend some time with you. I’m holding out for you, in the end. If you decide, eventually, that he’s not the one for you, I’ll be here. Whatever you decide. Don’t forget.” He touched her nose, letting his fingertip trace along it and down to her lips.
    Shade’s heart was breaking, even though everything that he’d said was correct. How he could send her feelings into a tangled mess was disarming. He pulled her closer then, letting his searing lips find hers. She let his mouth explore hers, desperately as though to find some treasure hidden deep inside. It wasn’t the same as before, but he knew her better than she gave him credit for. Knowing what he had for so long and yet, here he was, still pressing her against him and kissing her wi th a fury that was all-consuming. It made her barriers fall with an incredulous crash−this acceptance of her, no matter what.
    Coming up for air, she touched her fingertips to her mouth. Surely they were now cherry-kissed and vibrated from his lips. He rang his fingers through her hair once more, admiring every detail he could see clearly in the growing light.
    “Goodbye, Shade.” A smile formed on his face, making his eyes shine and his face light up even more than the sun peaking over the horizon onto his skin could. Shade was speechless, unable to form anything coherent as he slipped away, his eyes never leaving hers. As he got past the bed and walked toward the door, he never let go of her gaze. They were locked still, connected in some way which still remai ned a mystery to Shade.
    “No− wait!” She felt off centered and frantic as she watched him leave.
    “No, I’m sorry, Shade. If I could change how you felt, I would. I hope this journey, whatever it ends up in, helps.” He turned, snapping the lock open and slippe d out so quickly, she couldn’t register what had just happened.
    Alone on her bed, the emptiness of the spot Soap had just left beside her, made her gut twist. He was right in what he’d said, but how could he leave so easily? Like a bullet, he had ripped open and exposed her thoughts, leaving her to pick up the million tiny pieces which had dropped and imploded all over the place. She could do nothing but slip back onto her pillow and let the tears spring out of her eyes.
    The wind shook the world outside. Trees whipped their branches in a rippled dance as they shifted from the force. The sun had lit up the land and greeted the new day with brilliance and might. No comfort from the world came to her; nothing but emptiness where a black hole already resided within her. Soap had been her best friend, a loyal companion, a reciprocating love who had been nothing but patient with her. How had she gotten it so wrong? He was right, wasn’t he? She wasn’t in love with him, not like that. Not like he wanted from her. A complete and all-consuming love.
    Her love for him was something more than friends, yet it wasn’t enough for either of them in the end. Closing her eyes, she saw Dylan in her mind’s eyes. His black hair, his steely eyes gleaming toward her as he beamed at finding her again. His was the love that felt like it fit. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe it would all come and bite her right back after all was said and done. Who knew? For now, it was as it was, and she didn’t blame Soap one bit for walking away. How right he was to leave her. Yet, how wrong it felt to watch him go.

 
    Part II
    The Great Divide
     

Chapter Ten
     
    NOTHING EVER CHANGES . Even on the brink of the end of her world, Shade felt as if no one around her realized how destroyed she really felt. Glancing around the triangle of three, a ripple of fear weaved its way through her thoughts, and she felt ever so alone. Brisa had to remain at the Glass Castle, but she’d given Shade a tight hug before the journey, knowing Shade might not return. Only Dylan, Camulus and Shade were making this trip into the desolate wilderness of