Falling Light (Game of Shadows #2)(88)

“We’re good,” she said, giving him a quick smile. “We’re better than good. We’re happy, and we’re not afraid. There’s no longer any war on our horizon. We’re actually talking about getting pregnant.”

“I’m very happy for you both,” he said. “Where did you decide to go?”

“We’re in Puerto Rico for now and taking things easy. I’m reading a lot. He’s tinkering with cars. We may settle there permanently, but neither one of us feels the need to make any long-term decisions in a hurry.”

Nicholas looked across the clearing. He heard himself say, “You’re never coming back to the continental U.S., are you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Our descriptions have been too publicized. We could have plastic surgery to change our appearances, but . . .” She shrugged. “Neither one of us feels the need to do that. What about you? Have you made any plans?”

“Actually, I have made plans,” he said. He gave her an easy smile. “I’m going to finish my house, and I’m probably going to have a talk with my father. Then I have a murderer to catch. Someone killed me, and I’m going to find out who that was. And after that, I’m going to start hunting drones.”

There was war on his horizon, and he was at peace with that.

Mary put a hand over his. “Please promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Don’t worry about me. You concentrate on being happy.”

“We are.” She turned to look in the distance. “Michael is calling me. I need to go.” She smiled at him. “May I dream with you again from time to time, to make sure you’re okay?”

He stood when she did. “I would love to see you again.”

She hugged him and looked deep into his gaze. For a moment, Nicholas saw a flash of something alien in those jeweled eyes, something ancient and radiant. Then he blinked, and the image was gone.

“You should get out of the heat,” she told him. “And I really must go. Be well, Nicholas.”

“And you.”

He watched as Mary slipped off her flip-flops and raced barefoot down the path. A few moments later, a slim, white boat pulled out of the bay.

Nicholas lifted his hand in a wave, just in case either Michael or Mary could see him. Then he went inside the house to cool off.