“I can cook. I learned how to make food for my parents – I could cook for you. I could clean. I could help you keep house and fix your clothes – I can do all of that.”
“Seph.. I want to… god, if you had any idea…”
Kieran stood and walked away from me.
I reached for him with my gloved hand, falling short of actually touching him. “Please Kieran. If I stay here – I will die. I know I will.”
“No!” Kieran yelled, moving into my space. He took my head in his hands, uncaring about what happened if he touched my skin. I forced my power to stay dormant.
He lay his forehead against mine, and my hungry power stirred.
“You stay alive, Seph. You don’t let them take you. Because I’ll come back. I will always come back for you. I’m sorry … I just can’t take you with me right now.”
“Kieran please.” I begged, “please don’t go.”
Kieran looked torn. Before I could stop him he kissed me ever so gently on my lips. A featherlight touch, so full of feeling, I wanted it to consume me.
I had never felt so loved as I did in that moment.
The way he looked at me – like I was precious to him.
I loved him.
“I have to go.” He said, pulling back.
“What if I follow you?” I said to him. “What if I run anyway?”
Kieran stood by the window. “Don’t. Please Seph.”
“Kieran wait.”
“I will come back for you ok? One day, soon! Wait for me.”
Before I could say another word, he ducked out of the window and back into the tree.
I watched him go, like I was watching my last hope disappear. I chased him to the window.
He raced down the tree like he couldn’t wait to get away. He practically ran back to his house.
“Kieran!” I yelled. “KIERAN!”
But he didn’t answer.
I watched his retreating figure and felt determination grip me.
I won’t stay here without Kieran.
“No.” I said.
He can’t leave me.
He can’t.
I packed a small bag with some clothes and my beads. I picked up the small bracelet with the lightning bolt I had made for him. I packed the money Sable left me each day. I shoved it all in a bag. And I watched the clock.
I wouldn’t let him do this to me.
He couldn’t.
