Iris~~

When I exit the bathroom, a towel wrapped around me, I find an all-black outfit lying on my freshly made-up bed. Once Jonas told me Gwen would be bringing me clothes for the daytrip we're taking, I made it myself despite the Society's staff who come by every day to make it. The shorts are made from the same material as slacks. The shirt she selected is a tank made of an equally nice fabric. She's included a blazer as well. I'm not comfortable whenever my bandage is on display to the Society, even though it's been over a month since they learned the truth and almost two weeks since Erik and Vienna were exported.

I can't deny that the outfit reminds me of a funeral. But if all black is going to be the look for the day, I had better make sure my shoes keep to the color scheme because maybe this is a funeral. I haven't heard of any recent deaths, but perhaps Jonas had a pet frog no one knew about that died.

I finish drying off and change, using the remainder of my time before Jonas will arrive to do a light layer of makeup.

I haven't heard anything about Erik or Vienna. Colton has been moping every time I see him. I reach for a makeup brush. I don't fault him for it or think it's wrong. It's just odd. I'm used to brooding Colton, but sad Colton is an entirely different matter. I didn't think it possible to feel bad for him, but—I swipe my brush through the blush palette—here I am.

As I'm sliding on my shoes, Jonas knocks on the door, and when I open it, he offers me a soft smile and holds up a plate of brookies—chocolate chip blondies and brownies baked together. "For the road," he says.

I kind of want one now. "Amra, Jonas."

His soft smile turns into a grin.

"Amra." Amorian for hello. Jonas has been busy with his duties as Preeminence, but we've managed to continue my Amorian lessons, usually at night though. We don't focus as much on French as we did, and when we do, it's about retention rather than learning new content. That was my request. I want him to know I'm serious about giving him and me a chance.

He's also dressed all in black. He's in his normal black slacks he wears most days when he's working. But now he wears a button up shirt and a blazer in the same color.

"What is the occasion?"

"That's part of the surprise."

"Is the surprise that someone died?" I ask as I shut and lock my door behind me.

"Not recently, no."

I eye him. "Comforting."

*****

The car ride takes us into Maryland, and I wonder if we're going to Baltimore because maybe he wants to see where I lived. What would he—the Preeminence of Elleany think of my old apartment that was falling apart at the seams? I don't think he'd knowingly judge me but what about on a subconscious level? What if he starts viewing me differently without realizing he's doing it?

What if he pities me?

I worked hard to keep a roof over my head after the Society burned down my home. The roof may have been moldy and stained, but I was at least proud that I could afford it.

I look at him. I mean, really look at him long enough to the point it's probably creepy as I attempt to sort out what he would do. He flicks his eyes toward me and offers me a smile before turning his eyes back to the road.

I don't know if he's the type to pity. It's probably been ingrained in him to find the best in any situation to help him with diplomacy.

"Are we going to Baltimore?"

"You know I won't say."

Right. It's a surprise. I lean back in the seat, relishing in the balance of softness and firmness in the headrest positioned at the perfect angle.

Early into our trip, I realized I'd never been in his personal car.

In the past we've been chauffeured by the Society, in a rented limo, or more recently in a van. This is the car that he came searching for me in. He had to have someone drive it back from Nevada to West Virginia after all that happened with Erik and my uncle.

My uncle is not someone I want to think about right now.

The car suits Jonas though. You can tell either through touch that every inch is made of the finest quality materials. It's through them you can tell the car was expensive. It's not a car that screams that he's rich and to look at him.

When I stop seeing road signs for Baltimore, it becomes clear we're not headed there.

There's only one other place that held significance for me in Maryland, but he wouldn't be going there, would he? Maybe we're visiting Brydan. The two of them have been working to repair their relationship, so it would make sense.

Jonas takes an exit that puts us onto a two-lane highway with trees running along both sides.

I stifle a yawn, trying to hide it from Jonas, as my eyes start to grow heavy. I don't want him to think I'm bored because I'm not. It's nice just being alone with him.

"We'll be there soon."

After maybe ten or so miles later, we haven't passed another car in a while. And at this point I'm quite certain I know where we're headed; though, I rarely had much experience on the roads, so nothing is familiar to me, yet it's when the trees start to thin that I begin to recognize the area.

Ahead, the trees part, revealing a wide open field, and my heart seizes, my breath catching. All that's left of my former home is the driveway. Nothing else remains. Even the foundation has been cleared away, the basement filled in. Grass now grows where the fire once burned.

"Why are we here?"

Jonas parks his car at the end of the driveway. "I want to show you something."

Now that we're closer, I can see there's some sort of rock where the foundation once was. Maybe leftover debris. I exit the car, and a wind brushes past me. I don't believe in ghosts, but right now it wouldn't be too had to believe it's Kirk and Lilyana.

I have to look over the car's roof to see the cliff where I watched the flames, where the rest of my former family abandoned me. I don't know why the Society didn't take us into custody, why instead they let us go with a bit of money. Maybe Seong-ho had something to do with it.

It was the middle of the night that I walked down that highway on which Jonas and I just drove. I don't remember much from that point other than that I could hardly see. If a predator was watching me, I wouldn't have seen them.

At some point a family in a car found me. The next thing I remember is a hospital. I wasn't there long. They couldn't find anything wrong with me. I was scared they'd put me in another orphanage to be pitied, and so I lied about my name, my age.

Jonas walks around his car. "Are you all right?"

Am I? "I don't know."

He offers me his hand. "What I want to show you won't take long."

I thread my fingers through his, and he leads me into the grass where the house once stood.

The black attire makes sense now. This is like a grave, a memorial to me. I don't know where Kirk and Lilyana ended up being buried. I don't even know if their graves have tombstones

The rock I saw is about three feet high and two and a half feet wide. It's not smooth, and it has a yellow and black speckled look. Almost as if it were granite. On it is a black plaque trimmed in gold with lettering that matches.

In Memory of Kirk and Lilyana Thyme Who Expired at the Hands of the Society

Some Wrongs Can Never Be Righted

I blink back the tears. "I—" I face him. "I don't understand. Did you do this?"

He rakes a hand through his hair and looks down at the plaque. "I can't imagine what it's like for you at the Estate—to be around my father and uncles, to be around me, their son and nephew. I can never apologize enough for what my family did to yours, but I hoped this might be a start."

"But they were rebels."

"It doesn't change that what happened to them was wrong." He takes my hands in his. "I know words can't always be trusted—maybe especially from a Preeminence—but I love you, Iris. No matter how you feel, no matter what happens in the future, I want you to know that."

My breath catches, and his words, being here, seeing what he's done, I—

"The deed for this land is back at the Estate. It's in your name now. Nothing will be built here unless you want it to."

I sink to my knees, blades of grass poking into my skin. Jonas bends to his knees as well. A Preeminence on his knees. That doesn't seem right. The thought is one of many that swirls through my mind.

He takes my face in his hands and brushes away my tears with his thumbs.

"I love you," I say, my throat tight with emotion. "And the thought of possibly saying goodbye to you terrifies me."

Jonas brings his face toward mine. "I will go all the way to Amoria if that's what it takes." He presses his lips to mine, and I lean against him.

When I last stood on this land, I never could have expected that when I at last returned, it would be with the Preeminence.

I pull away but keep my hands on him. "Won't this just tick off the Society?" I tilt my head to where the rock stands.

"If it does, that means they'll have to be aware of what happened." He kisses me again, and when he pulls back, there's a twinkle in his eyes. "I imagine this won't be the last time I tick off the Society."

I kiss him. "I love you."

"So the former rebel fell in love with the Preeminence?"

I laugh, holding his gaze. "And the Expired Preeminence fell in love with her."

This Book is Now Expired

Exported, Book Three in the Expiring Series, is complete. You can find it on my profile.

Thank you all so much for reading Expired!