Eternal Ascended (Infinitude Trilogy Book 1) by Kerry Elizabeth Evans

Author:Kerry Elizabeth Evans [Evans, Kerry Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

YEAR: 2200

LOCATION: ICARUS, FEDERATION OF ARKHE

The journey to the Green Lake Hospital took fifteen minutes. Lucas’s car sped along the highway at lethal speeds. The opaque glass of the passenger window was cold against my cheek, soothing my feverish skin.

Like most afternoons, a thin layer of cloud had settled over Icarus, concealing the city’s soaring towers behind its ethereal veil. Occasional flashes of colour burst forth when a gust of wind dispersed the wispy shroud.

In the past, I would have looked upon this spectacle with contentment, fulfilled by the intricate dance the clouds performed. This time, however, I felt only emptiness, my swollen eyes distorting their theatrical display into scenes of death and suffering.

Tragedy had once again dragged me from the shores of happiness, casting me out on its ill-fated vessel, rudderless and anchorless, adrift forever on the Acheron. I’d survived this perilous voyage before, when I’d buried our parents. I was certain I wouldn’t survive it again.

I’m so sorry, Theo.

With every tortured breath, I pictured my brother’s face. Recalled with each beat of my aching heart the smile that had lit up his kind features as he’d turned to say goodbye to me this morning.

You should have been there…

Ahead, the road forked off. Lucas’s nav system directed the vehicle into the left lane, towards the bizarre steel-and-glass structure that was Green Lake Hospital. Five more agonizing minutes passed before we pulled into the car park.

I turned to Lucas before we stepped out the car. He was already watching me intently, his warm hands enveloping mine in a reassuring embrace – a silent acknowledgment of his support. Small lines creased his forehead as he searched my features, struggling to figure out what to say.

“I know what you’re about to face won’t be easy,” he sighed, “but your presence will give Theo the strength he needs to fight. And he will. He’s always been a fighter, just like you. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

A sad smile danced across my lips. Three words lingered on the tip of my tongue – words I’d wanted to speak for some time now but had never found the courage to, afraid of what would happen when I did.

“I love you,” I finally whispered, my mouth quivering.

Lucas inhaled sharply, the tension in his face betraying the emotion he felt. He couldn’t meet my gaze, fighting to retain control.

The need to show him what he meant to me was overwhelming, and so, for only the second time in our relationship, I heeded the command of my heart, cupping his cheek and brushing my lips against his. The kiss was soft and languid, my tongue soothing the inside of his mouth with gentle licks.

It was a kiss that lasted only a moment, but which would echo across the halls of memory forever.

“I love you too,” he replied through gritted teeth, his eyes glazing over as he finally brought them to mine. “I’ve loved you since the day I saw you in that yard nineteen years ago.”

His

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