Song of the Forever Rains (Mousai, #1)

by E.J. Mellow

Glancing back at Larkyra, at her calm face regarding him, he suddenly saw another creature sitting there, one whose features were wrapped completely in black pearls, a giant bow upon her head.

“And I want, no, need you to understand,” she went on in earnest, “that you are not at fault for any of it.”

You are not at fault.

You are not at fault for your mother’s death. You are not at fault for Lachlan falling to ruin. You are not at fault for your stepfather’s anger.

Larkyra’s chin tilted up. “We are exactly how we need to be.” “Odd?” “Only as odd as a closed mind makes us.”

Thank you for existing. Thank you for flying into my heart. Thank you for shining light and singing away the demons.

Darius never wanting to let go, not even when the forever rains slowly came to a stop.

I had thought . . . I had thought I had dreamed this memory.” Larkyra’s heart ached for him. “What was she looking at?” “Me.”

“It’s yours now, Darius. She’s yours.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t belong to anyone.” “Yes.” Larkyra corrected herself. “You’re right.”

“Oh, no,” assured Clara. “You may be many peculiar things, my lady, but I would never say any of them are bad.”

Nothing becomes as monotonous as a word repeated endlessly.” “I would contradict you on one account.” “Which would be?” “Speaking your name.”

Screamminngggggggg

“Yes,” agreed Larkyra. “My lady’s maid seems to have loosened the pages of her propriety rule book.” “I can’t say I am not thankful for that.”

She wanted him forever. Which was exactly the thought that had her backing away, a sharp stab to her chest.

“I love you, Larkyra.” Everything stopped. The wind. The birds chirping. The tide. “Pardon?”

“I love you,” he repeated. “Foolishly so. Desperately, even. I do not want you to leave. In fact, I may kidnap you if you try.”

“I . . .” She worked her mouth. “I do not know what to say.” “A speechless Bassette? Shall I write this in Lachlan’s history books?”

“Of course I love you, you foolishly desperate man.”

Did she love him? By the lost gods, what an absurd question.

Larkyra had known her heart was not her own much earlier than that, even if she could not admit it to herself until now. She’d seen the good in Darius before he’d even truly seen her, when she’d been nothing but dirt mixed into the roads of lower Jabari.

“I feel endless with you,” she breathed. “That’s because you are.”

“I’ll leave the curiosity to you, my love, for you have more than enough to get the both of us into trouble.” “I’m unsure if that’s a compliment.”

“While you mull it over”—Darius took her hands in his once more—“can I ask you that question now?” Larkyra swallowed. “If you must.” “Oh, I must more than any other musts.”

“Larkyra Bassette,” he began. “Singer of the Mousai, filthy girl of Jabari, and woman of, I’m sure, many more masks, all of whom I love. You do things I don’t even know I need, and you surpass the expectations of the things that I do. As you feel endless with me, I feel endless with you. You make me dream bigger than what lives in this world, and I only want to continue exploring it by your side. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” From his pocket, Darius pulled out a sky-blue-jeweled ring. “It is the same one my father gave my mother.”

And those masks of mine, there are many. Some even I have yet to discover.” “I look forward to getting to know them all, so long as each remains in love with me when worn.”

“I know what I am committing myself to, Larkyra. I’ve always wanted a big family.” “It’s bigger than you think, and my father—” “Has given his blessing.” This had her swallowing her next words. “Yes, I sought his well-wishes before asking you. I am smarter than I look.”