AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m closer with him than I’ve ever been with anyone…But not romantic… We’ve never… acted on anything physical.”
Pomona’s face was tight with concern as I continued.
“We fought in the war together… Saved each other's lives on… More occasions than I can recall… He’s been my best friend for the last hundred years.”
“I see…” A hint of a grin tilted her lips, and a little of my tension alleviated. Her look grew coy as she gave me devilish grin, leaning in close. “And… May I askwhyit never became anythingmorethan friendship becausegood-fucking-gods…”
I couldn’t help but huff a laugh, rolling my eyes.Even though I hardly knew her, I felt the need to confide in her.
“I do love him, Pomona…”
Her brows lept.
“I… Things between Nakoa and I…” I shook my head not even knowing where or how to begin. “I can’t be with him… I won’t disparage him to you and I recognize he has many exceptional qualities but… I will never be able to trust or give myself to him after… All this.”
Pomona looked genuinely pained by my admission and it made guilt clench tighter in my chest.
“I’ve already expressed to Nakoa my desire to leave after we finish with everything… I will help him rule… I even made a vow to do so. To support him in this as best I can. But I will not bind myself to him. And regardless… My heart already belongs to Malekai. I haven’t told him yet either but… I will. Once we overcome Zurie.”
Pomona nodded, gaze drifting into the distance as a look of sadness took her face but seemed otherwise understanding. And not even remotely surprised. After a few moments, her gaze finally returned to mine, offering me an encouraging smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes.
“I hope that one day, however distant in the future… That you two can make amends…”
My throat worked roughly. That was definitely not something I could promise.
Her smile broadened, attempting lightheartedness.
“On a happier note… I mean… Don’t repeat this to Famei, but your friend is… Woooooohh…,” she continued, fanning herself as though she were about to have a heat stroke.
A grin split my face, grateful for her attempt at distraction.
“I’ll be sure to tell him you think so.”
Pomona gasped dramatically. “You wouldn’t dare!”
I laughed openly for the first time in what felt like… ages.
“No, I wouldn’t. Don’t worry.”
She heaved a breath in relief, chuckling. “I still wanna know why you never had anything with him before you met Nakoa.”
I sighed heavily. It wasn’t an easy question.
“I… I haven’t known many loyal people I could rely on. And those that I did… They died during the war. After that, I just… Kind of closed myself off to people because if they were worth knowing, they could be taken from me, or if they weren’t worth knowing, but I failed to see it… Well, I simply didn’t have enough pieces left of my heart to give in either circumstance… And the idea of losing Malekai… If things didn’t work out between us… I’d have been left withno one.I cherished him too much to gamble with our friendship like that.”
Pomona heaved a thoughtful sigh.
“Living in fear is no way to live at all, darlin’.”
The truth in her words hit me like a kick to the face. Gods, she was so right it hurt. And it was time to fucking change that. But first, I needed to be honest with Nakoa before I confessed my feelings to Malekai… Which would perhaps be better after everything Zurie was dealt with.
I gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’re right, Pomona. Thank you. And thank you for finding Malekai for me last night.””
Her rosebud lips parted to reveal a grin bursting with affection. I’d never met someone so warm and open. It was nothing short of startling, even if it gave my heart a sweet squeeze.
“Of course. You’re my sister now. With or without Nakoa.”
The moment Pomona and I entered Val’s cabin, both Nakoa and Malekai’s eyes snapped to mine. Lest I further enflame Nakoa’s rage, I forced myself to go to his side despite the ache in my chest that longed to go to Malekai. Nakoa wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me possessively into his side. It felt like a betrayal to my emotions and to Malekai. My eyes slid shut as I tried to breathe away my tension.
