AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turn my attentions to hacking forward, and I use my sword to clear the overgrown brush and vines from the path. It clearly had not been used in years. It was like a metaphor for our connection. This is what we’ll look like soon, if we don’t already. Unable to talk, to touch.
Alone.
Separate.
Midday comes and goes, with no complaints about hunger or questions of food from her. It’s like she’s determined not to speak to me.
I can’t say I don’t understand where she’s coming from.
“Let’s take a break here and have some lunch,” I offer in the early afternoon. A stream trickles nearby, filling the air with ambient sounds of tranquility. Maybe she’ll find some peace here.
Mira sets down her pack without a word.
“It’ll take a few more days to get to Yurghen’s,” I say, trying to start a conversation as I hand her some jerky from my bag. She doesn’t even scoff or complain at eating the same thing again. I wish I could cook something for her. I know it wouldn’t make things better between us, but I think it would make her happy. She always liked that.
When Mira doesn’t respond, I continue, “There are a few towns between here and there. We should be able to sleep in an actual bed tomorrow.”
Finally, her eyes rest on mine, and my heart sails before sinking once more at the ice in her steady gaze.
I slump against the tree, eyes falling to a line of ants on the ground.
As the day goes on, I stop trying to engage her and let her have space.
When night finally falls, I build a small fire to roast a fresh rabbit I’d trapped. I offer her some, which she takes silently sitting cross-legged near the flames.
“It’s bland, but at least it’s hot. And not jerky.” I give her my best smile, hoping to coax out some of that warmth I know is there. She nods her thanks and drops her eyes back to the fickle flame dancing before us.
I sigh, staring into the same flame reflecting on how her complaining used to drive me crazy. I suppose I’ve gotten used to it. She purposely pushed my buttons sometimes. I was always frustrated with her before. She constantly challenged me, calling out my mistakes and hypocrisy.
So why do I miss it? Why am I listening so intently to the silence for the slightest intake of breath to indicate she might finally speak to me?
There’s a missing piece in my heart, and not the normal soul fragment stuff I’m used to. This is something deeper, something more tangible. She made me laugh. She comforted me when I spoke of my past. She’s warm and understanding, even when I was undeserving.
Maybe it wasn’t an impulsive moment of passion after all. The love I felt was genuine, and it bubbled into my speech without thinking. Maybe I meant those words. Do I love Mira?
I think I might.
My chest swells, pulse skyrocketing as my stomach twists before falling back to the ground.
Because it doesn’t matter.
Even if I did love her, there’s no chance she could love me back after the hell I just put her through.
I watch the embers dance in the reflections of her eyes. What’s going on in that head of hers? I should just apologize now, but when I open my mouth, the words turn to ash.
Maybe she doesn’t want my apology. Maybe she can’t take it. If she wanted to talk about it, she would. Bringing it up would just be selfish at this point. Another thing that I’m doing to make myself feel better, instead of considering Mira’s feelings.
I shut my mouth and shift.
I need to focus. We have a task. Get to Yurghen. Maybe he can help us reunite, despite the way I have completely screwed up any opportunity to bond with Mira, my fated mate.
A wolf howls in the distance, and Mira’s head darts around, startled.
Her fear is an opportunity for me to comfort her. I’m ashamed to admit that I immediately take it.
“It’s okay. Sounds like he’s on the far mountain. We’re safe,” I tell her, scooting closer to her. Hoping for something. Anything. She looks at me warily, which is more than she’s done in hours. My heart skips a beat. This is my chance to apologize, so I open my mouth.
“Are you okay, Mira? I…I’m so-”
