He nodded, his throat tight.
“And Casimir’s brother knew where to hurt you…”
Raine sat on a stump facing her, elbows on his knees. “He knows where to hurt everyone. A massive prick, if you hadn’t already figured that out.”
She hummed her agreement. “If you know he is this way…why doyou let it affect you?”
Good question.
Because it’s been at the forefront of my mind lately. Because of you. Because I lost him and now I’ve met you. And you’re all I can think about and I don’t know what to fucking do about it. Because I’m terrified.
But he couldn’t say that.
“I suppose it's the one thing I’m sensitive about.”
They were silent for a long moment. Fireflies had emerged from their hiding places among the foliage and Raine watched a particularly bright one, its yellow glow warm in the dark forest. A painful reminder of his lost love, but this time it was different. Like a small beacon of hope in the night. A ghost of a smile floated across his face.
Because the light looked exactly like Maeryn’s eyes.
Firefly.
“Would you like to talk about it?” she asked.
“Not at the moment.”
“Then I shall tell you about mine.”
“Yours?”
“Come.” She gestured. “Walk with me through the garden.”
Raine rose and followed, silent again as an owl called in the distance. Wandering back through the woods, they entered a gate, opening to the formal gardens connected to the ballroom.
They strolled beneath a tunnel of purple flowering trees, their fragrant perfume thick in the air. Moths darted in between the blooms, the subtle glow of their white wings like moving stars.
Maeryn stopped before a shrub and picked a white flower, twirling it in her fingers. Her bright eyes were full of emotion and he resisted the urge to touch her, comfort her. For he could see she was in pain.
Just like him.
“Growing up the way I did was challenging, as I told you. But I didn’t tell you everything. Our people were hurting. Manyof the fae of Igneothenia were killed when our home was stolen from us. So we were urged to repopulate.”
Raine studied her closely. She continued to twirl the flower, gathering her thoughts.
“We had arranged marriages and I was willing to do my part. I would do anything for my people.” She took a deep breath. “I married. And though it took time, eventually we fell in love.” Her eyes were full of sorrow. “Twenty years ago, he was killed. On a mission to gather more supplies. A group of daemon soldiers murdered their whole party. We never had any children together.”
Maeryn’s eyes glistened with tears.
Raine sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry, Maeryn.”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry for your love as well. For whatever happened. Please know you may speak to me about it whenever you need to. When you’re ready. I would never judge you.”
“I know you wouldn’t.”
They stood in the garden, facing one another. Raine couldn’t help but get lost in her beauty, allowing his eyes to drift as he drank in her delicate features. Pert nose, lush lips, full lashes. He longed to pull her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. Wanted to tuck her away from the hurt of the world and keep her safe from her sorrows.
Lifting an arm, he tentatively cupped her face, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. A small sigh left her lips as she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.
“Maeryn…” he murmured, unsure of what he was about to say.
