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He smiles, though it’s clear it hurts him to do so. She smiles at him, hands protectively coiled around his shoulders.
They share a look of love with each other, perhaps now realizing everything will be alright now that I’m here.
A rush of emotions hits me all at once. I’m elated to see her father alive, to see them have the grand reunion Hanna had been anticipating for the last while.
But a tinge of sadness layers itself into the depths of my heart. I know this reunion means the complete success of our mission, spelling the end of my journey with Hanna.
Remember the mission.
I clear my throat, stepping forward as I offer a hand to her father.
“You were a hard man to find it seems,” I say. “Hanna never went a day without speaking about you. I’m glad to see you alive and in one piece.”
“You must be Kazrith,” he says.
Hanna must have told him all about me.
“My name is Thomas. I owe you a massive debt for looking after my daughter in my absence.”
“Look after her? No, she’s a strong woman. She can handle herself, I only lent assistance.”
“Indeed, she’s more than capable of being independent,” he says, smiling at Hanna who returns the gesture. “I knew she’d be okay, but as a father, I couldn’t help but worry. Still, you have my gratitude for your help.”
I bow my head to show my respect.
“I needed her as much as she needed me. You raised a gifted fighter, Thomas, and a wonderful human being.”
“Kazrith, are you alright?” Hanna asks, running her hands over my wounds.
“Just a few bumps and bruises, it’s nothing I can’t deal with.”
“And Zathex? Is he…”
“Yes,” I say, taking her hand. “None of us will have to worry about him anymore. However, I’m afraid we must be leaving. Dawn will soon break, and the xaphans will discover the mess we’ve left behind.”
“Best news I’ve heard all day,” she says. “But before we go, there’s something I want I need to tell you.”
I know what it is, that we’ve reached the end of the road together. The moment of our separation has finally caught up to us, I couldn’t be any less ready to face it.
As I look into her eyes, my mind repeats everything we went through together. I think of how I first found her in my cart, how we sold our wares together in Merax, holding each other in bed, and dining across from one another at the table.
All of them are memories that I’ll hold near and dear to me for the rest of my life. Memories that’ll bring me a smile, and a fresh puncture to the heart.
She’ll never know how I truly feel about her… But it’s not like it matters anyway. She’s back where she wanted to be.
I swallow my pride and reach out my hand, resting it on her shoulder. She tilts her head in confusion, her studious eyes reading me.
“There’s no need to talk anymore, Hanna,” I say, my throat closing up. “I know what it is you wish to tell me. I don’t think I have the strength to hear it.”
I lean forward and kiss her on the cheek. As I pull back, my eyes linger on hers.
I can only manage it for a moment before I rip my line of sight away. If I look at her any longer, I’ll go insane.
“You must get back to the safety of your home.”
“What? Kazrith, what’s up with you? And why are you saying that? Don’t you mean ‘we’?”
“I’m not coming with you, Hanna,” I say, glaring up at the ceiling with my back turned to her. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the path is safe before I make myself scarce.”
