Page 101 of Ash Storm

It’s not questionable timing if he thinks he’s going to die.

Thoughts raced through her mind, like runaway horses.

He thinks he’s going to die.

He can’t die.

I should tell him.

I should tell him I’m falling in love with him, too.

But if I tell him, is that accepting he’s going to die?

Fear grew inside her, tightening like a vise around her middle, until Reka could hardly breathe.

And she remembered something she often told her patients—that thoughts were like birds.

Not all of them need to make a nest in your head.

Some thoughts just need to be allowed to fly.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then another—opened them again to find Ash still looking at her, waiting.

“You don’t have to say anything, Re. I just wanted you to know,” he said, his deep voice kind.

Kind.

He’s always kind.

She jumped as someone pulled the car door open.

“Sorry, Ash, but we need to run,” Slate said, popping his head in. “You ready, Reka? Rogue is waiting for you in the van.”

Ash nodded and unfolded himself out of the seat. “I’ll see you soon, Reka.”

“Please be careful, Ash,” she croaked.

So not what she’d meant to say.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but by then Ash was already gone. And she prayed, with everything inside her, that she’d have another chance to tell him.