The Never List

When Pierce and Rylee meet at the Emerald Wood the next day, they are both exhausted from the battle and spending the night ensuring the safety of the villagers. He takes her directly to his home, a cottage tucked into the forest. He offers a hot bath, which he drew using his telekinetic powers. Touched by his care, Rylee invites Pierce to join her in the bath.

Pierce discusses the limitations of his power, which often leave him inundated with others’ thoughts. Jax, too, struggles with feeling others’ emotions. They spend a quiet, peaceful day together, resting and recovering.

Rylee and Pierce spend the next two weeks peacefully, conversing and spending time together but not having sex. Rylee finds the anticipation appealing. They play a strategic board game, and though Rylee continually loses to Pierce, she finds the respite peaceful. Her guilt about not revealing her history grows as she becomes increasingly convinced that she is “where [she is] supposed to be” (335). She confessing to missing her friends, and Pierce encourages her to invite them to visit while he seeks more information about Erin. She is surprised that he is open to letting her see her friends without him. He clarifies that she is free to go where she pleases.