Failed Future (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles, #3)

by Elise Kova

A world where she had somehow allowed someone into her heart who may not want to be there.

Under no circumstances could she let him know he’d well and truly stolen her heart.

“I want you to do what you were chosen to do—use it to save our world.”

Find me a whole race of people who’s entirely good or entirely evil and I’ll eat my boot.

“I do know what I’d do. Because I’ve seen death. I’ve seen it on my land, in my people, and in visions of the world’s end that haunt me even still. I’ve seen it in the faces that tried to kill me as I risked my life every step to get here.” Her voice had gone low. “And I risked it all, not for me, not for you, but for this world. For my family. So don’t you dare tell me I wouldn’t die for a cause greater than myself.”

“Maybe we’re meant to hurt and be hurt. Maybe we’re just meant to burn.”

“Fine,” he breathed. “If we’re meant to burn, then we burn together.”

“Perhaps you’re right about us burning together, because only you can set me on fire.”

This whole world may need you and not know it, but no one needs you more than I do, I promise you that. I will make mistakes. But I need you to believe in me, trust me.”

“You have to trust me, all right? Please know, no matter what, I will never seek to bring you harm. Trust me like I trust you.”

“Everything.” There was no hesitation. No holding back. “She is everything.”

She loved him. And he loved her… despite both of them knowing better. Despite neither being brave enough to say it in such plain terms. Those facts made no difference in the end. They had fallen in love despite themselves. They just had yet to be brave enough to say it aloud.

Those feelings were real to her before the discovery that they hadn’t mattered to him.”

“Some emotions are as sharp as knives that don’t dull or rust with time.”

“I find myself thinking, more and more, that I am cursed.” Her fingers laced with his. “You are not cursed, you are chosen.” Taavin held her tighter. “Are they really so different?”

“Should you want it… allow my arms to be your home. Here is home. Because, as I told you once, here is where you are safe.”

Imperfection fit them both well. Maybe life had carved enough parts out of each of them that they needed each other to feel whole.

“Do you think you can scare us?” “No, and I think that will be your downfall. You should never underestimate a Solaris… least of all my daughter.”

She was a blaze of fire through the dark night.

“This streak of recklessness, you get it from your mother.” Despite his words, her father had a proud smile, as if he were silently taking credit for the fact. She blurted out rough laughter. “Mother would say differently I think.”

“Daughter, you are of her blood, as you are of mine, as you are of your mother’s. You don’t need proof in magic or tokens. You don’t need the world to validate it. It’s here.” He tapped her breastbone under her collarbone and above her heart. “It’s in the woman who’s sailed across the world and risked her life to reunite that family.”

Before your mother, I was a man who would have watched the world burn. She was the one to show me how my actions impacted others, and how to care.”

“Keep that head high,” he dared to utter. “Even if you wear a crown of filth, you are still a princess of Solaris.”

“So maybe I am a monster. But you’re the spawn of a monster. So you’re really no different.” “Call me a monster and I’ll show you my fangs.” Vi sneered widely for emphasis.

“I was never truly alone.” His voice was low and warm on her skin. “I had you.” Vi laughed bitterly. “My face was torture.” “Until seeing you became my light.”