“When I met you,” she continued quietly, “you reminded me of him. It slipped out, and I told myself it didn’t matter because it was a joke.”
Thom nodded, understanding.
Brea’s expression tightened with pain. “But the more I got to know you, the more I saw your differences. And the thing is...” She stared at him, her eyes haunted. “The name became true.”
Thom’s blood ran cold.
“I’m not in love with you,” Brea promised hurriedly. “But my heart... It does feel for you, as it did for him. And Ilain was right. I chose you over Auden because of my feelings for you.”
Thom hung his head, eyes trained firmly on the floor. “Brea, I—”
“You don’t have to let me down easily,” she said. “I know it isn’t mutual.”
The bed creaked as she leaned forward. “And I don’t want it to be, Thom,” she swore. “I had love with Adie. I don’t care to replace it. It is my burden to carry on with my promise to the Alliance. I will marry and Bond with a Mage, I will become Highlady Commander of whatever province they wish, and the rest of my days will be spent in service to my people.”
It sounded so wrong to Thom. Such a dreadful sacrifice for such a noble cause.
“You shouldn’t have to do that, Brea,” he said.
“It’s all I have left.”
Several moments of silence passed between them.
“Where do we go from here?” he asked, looking up at her. “I want to be your friend, but if that’s too hard for you—”
“It isn’t,” she said. “I didn’t pull away because I can’t handle your friendship.”
“Then why did you pull away?”
She grimaced. “Because I didn’t want others finding out the truth.”
He nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry you lost him,” he said.
A gentle smile came to her lips. “Thank you.”
Thom studied her in the silence that followed. Somehow, she looked different to him. The sharpness of her gaze no longer bore hardness but rather sadness. Her confidence was gentler, her beauty softer. She was striking, strong, and powerful, but fora whole new reason. He saw her as she truly was. She’d lived through heartache, and while she hadn’t quite yet overcome it, she was doing her best to live with purpose.
Just like him.
“Thank you,” Brea said again.
Thom raised his brow.
“For this,” she said, gesturing between them. “For listening. For being my friend.”
He pressed his lips together in a smile. “Thank you forwantingto be my friend,” he said.
“Only a fool wouldn’t want your friendship, Thom,” she assured. “You’re far better and far more worthy than you think.”
The affirmation hit Thom with a jolt. “I don’t want to be,” he said.
A sly, cunning grin lifted her countenance. “You don’t get that choice,” she said. Hopping to her feet, she reached across the short distance and slapped his shoulder. “Now, leave me alone so I can get some sleep.”
Thom rose, too, shifting away to give her space. “We’re friends again, right?”
“I doubt it.” At his lifted brow, she teased, “You flirt with your friends, and I don’t care to have my heart toyed with.”
Thom eyed her. “It isn’t my fault that I’m your exact type,” he said. “Why punish me for what I can’t control?”
