Soundtrack Sunday – “Next to Me”

Sunday is for doing housework at Chez Skyla, and it only ever gets done with a lot of music playing loudly for motivation. This one comes up often and I like to sing along badly to it.

Last time I did Iluka’s song for Livi; this one is hers for him. It’s on both the Charon’s Gold soundtrack and Yampellec’s Idol. (Haters can deal with it!)

And oh, stupid things I do

I’m far from good, it’s true

But still, I find you

Next to me 

Livi’s in a pretty bad place in the new book–where Yampellec was about her finding her existing coping mechanisms no longer helping her anxiety and depression, in Charon she’s found a new way of dealing: obsession. She’s driven in a way she hasn’t been before as it’s the only way to keep her guilt and grief at bay.

It’s messy.

There’s something about the way that you always see the pretty view

Overlook the blooded mess, always lookin’ effortless

And still you, still you want me

But for at least part of the time, she’s got Iluka by her side, who is always quick to diffuse tension and smooth things out, and who keeps seeing the best in her even when she can’t see it herself anymore.

So thank you for taking a chance on me

I know it isn’t easy

But I hope to be worth it

Afraid for his life but terrified to also let him go, Livi’s only other option at this stage of the story is go to it alone entirely–and I’m glad that, for a while, she doesn’t have to. Friend, partner, lover, and a big part of her journey as she goes to very dark places (quite literally, including the underworld)–she might not always have the words, but this is her song for him.

Oh, I always let you down

You’re shattered on the ground

But still, I find you there

Next to me

Charon’s Gold releases October 25 and you can preorder the ebook now!

Kindle | Kobo | iBooks | Nook

Paperback coming in another week or two!

All of my Soundtrack Sunday posts are now linked on a central page.