Chapter 39 : Weightless

*Vanessa*

It’s not Ashborne I see first when I pass the final border.

It’s Shawn.

He’s waiting for me as far away from the territory as he can while still being close enough to guard it. His eyes are searching the horizon, waiting for me. Like he’s always been waiting for me.

Something in me strains toward him, drawing me forward despite my exhaustion and the mental strain of the last few days. I can tell when he sees me because I can literally see his body relax for a split second before he breaks out into a run.

Despite the physical and mental exhaustion of the past few days, I find myself running to meet him. We find each other halfway, and I throw myself into his arms so hard that he has to take a step back to steady us.