Stellarlune (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #9)

by Shannon Messenger

The path everyone else was against. Sophie was ready to take it—no matter what it cost. She had to. For Keefe. For her world. For the future.

‘You mean a lot to me, Foster. More than you’ll ever know.’ ”

Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for this? It’s going to be so adorable when you two finally…” She made a disgustingly loud smooching sound—and Sophie hated her brain for imagining it. Hated how sweaty her palms felt even more.

Sandor leaned closer to the screen. “I go where Sophie goes. And I stay where she stays.”

“You elves like to talk about ogres as if we’re these cold, brutal creatures. But I’ve never seen anything as cold and brutal as the way you treat your son.”

I’ll only say this once, he told her, and I’ll deny it if you ever bring it up again. But… if there’s one thing I know about my son, it’s that he’s a survivor. And if he could endure more than a decade at Candleshade with his mother and me, he can handle anything the humans throw at him. Let him take care of himself. He’s been doing it his whole life.

“Keefe?” Amy repeated, her lips curling into a grin. “He’s the supercute blond guy you picked up cookies for, right? The one who kept staring at you all intense when I met him, like you were the only person that mattered to him in the entire universe?”

It was a little easier to think about these kinds of horrors in a Sophie-ball.

You do also have a history of being… a little quick to deny certain stuff. So even though Hunkyhair would probably clobber me for telling you this, I feel like I should make sure you know one thing, okay?” She waited for Sophie to hold her gaze before she told her, “He meant what he said in his letter—and he meant it exactly the way you thought he did before you tried to talk yourself out of it.”

“No, I mean it. You balance each other. He helps you lighten up, and you help him focus. He boosts your confidence, and you keep his ego in check. You both dive headfirst into danger, but somehow you’re able to help each other play it a little smarter. And you both act more like yourselves when you’re together. I could keep going, but I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to pressure you. This one’s your call. The only thing is… you are going to need to start figuring out what you feel, okay? And when you do?

Or was she just looking for an excuse because she was scared? And why was she so scared? Keefe would honestly be… … … …a really awesome boyfriend. He was thoughtful. And supportive. And he could be incredibly sweet—when he was actually being serious instead of joking around with everybody. Though… maybe some of his jokes with her hadn’t just been teasing. Had some of it also been… flirting? If Ro were still there, she probably would’ve been nodding and shouting about the Great Foster Oblivion. And maybe she was right. Maybe Sophie had been too insecure to let herself see what was right in front of her.

She couldn’t afford to lose focus because of a cute boy. Even if he was really, really, really cute. Keefe might not be as classically handsome as Fitz—but he didn’t need to be. In fact, there was something extra appealing about his crooked smile and artfully messy hair. It made him less serious. Less perfect. Less intimidating. Plus, he was smart. And funny. And kind. And a good listener. And… …a superpowerful Empath who could read her emotions through the air without even trying. Which meant the next time she saw him, he’d be able to feel everything she was feeling.

Because if she was really, really honest—and really, really brave—she had to admit that the idea of being with Keefe sounded… kind of amazing. Yes, it was scary. And yes, there were risks. But… wouldn’t it be worth trying?

“Well… I realized that getting you to open up is a lot like trying to tame a dinosaur, so I wondered what would happen if I just sat here nice and quiet and let your brain work through whatever it needed to on its own without feeling threatened or pressured—let you see that I’m not scary and not trying to trick you or trap you. I figured if that didn’t work, I could try rewarding you with some treats. Or chasing you through the pastures.” Sophie wasn’t sure she loved that comparison—but she could still feel a smile curling the edges of her lips. Edaline grinned back. “So, will my cute little dinosaur bite my head off if I ask for a few more details? Like… is this drama the kind of thing where I need to go on a mama–T. rex rampage and scare some sense into a mean boy?”

More importantly, though… none of that makes you an annoying character. You’re a teenager, Sophie. You’re trying to figure out who you are and what you want. And that means you’re absolutely allowed to spend time obsessing about crushes if that’s what’s on your mind. These feelings are new and complicated and huge and intense—and you’re supposed to ask questions, and try different things, and change your mind if something doesn’t seem right.”

So she pressed her hand to her chest and sent a transmission of her own, even though she knew Keefe wouldn’t hear it. She just… needed to say it. Even if it was just to the endless void. I miss you. It’s better when you’re around.

She had to knock a second time before footsteps slowly started plodding toward them, and the door opened just enough to let a familiar blond boy peek out. His ice blue eyes were droopy with sleep, but they widened when they focused on Sophie, and for a moment he just stared at her. Then his lips curled into a smirk, and he whispered, “Foster?” That was all Sophie needed. She leaped forward and tackle-hugged Keefe.

“You’re comparing this to a battle?” Sophie had to ask. “Why not? Sometimes relationships feel like that. So put your shields up if you need to. But don’t let that stop you from charging headfirst into the unknown. Be bold. Be brave. Be honest. And be you. You’re Sophie Foster. I know you can do this!”

“Are you ready?” Flori asked, and Sophie took one last look around the twinkly clearing, suddenly worried that everything wouldn’t feel so magical once they stepped back into reality. But her eyes landed on Keefe again, and he whispered, “I’m ready for anything.” Sophie was too.

“You’re so cute when you get all serious and leader-y,” Keefe leaned in and whispered. Sophie sighed. “What? I mean it! You’re really good at it. And it’s fun watching you take charge and order us all around.” “Really? It… doesn’t bother you?” “Why would it bother me?”

Sophie asked, trying to keep Gisela talking so she wouldn’t call any more trolls—while her brain kept screaming, SANDOR, SANDOR, SANDOR. She would get him back. Even if she had to claw her way into the earth.