“Outside.” The sun bathed him in its brightness, and I couldn’t keep my gaze from him.
She strode to the doorway and called out, “Hey, everything okay?”
“It will be.” His scorching gaze narrowed on me as he fed the stallion a treat.
Faith jerked a look between the two of us. “Is there something going on here? I didn’t leave you guys alone for long enough to cause too big a fight, did I?”
“We didn’t fight, in fact we chatted, and then—” Oh, how to tell her? I shuffled from foot to foot, rucking up the dust.
“Then what?”
“Um, we released each other.”
“Released each other?” Her eyebrows launched into her hairline. Yeah, for once I’d surprised her. Which with her forethought, was close to impossible. “No way. You two are mated?”
Hope darted a look at Guy. “This is unbelievable. You always sensed your mated one was a Peacian, but Silvie?”
“That’s right.” He scaled the railing and returned. “Now we’ve met though, we’ve ended things. It’s as it should be.”
“No, Guy.” Faith shook her head, clearly not happy. “There’s a reason our souls are bound. Perhaps you two just need some more time to talk.” She glanced at Hope. “What do you think?”
“It can’t hurt them.”
“Great. Let’s give them some space.” She grabbed Hope’s hand and flashed them away.
“What? Faith, no. You can’t leave me here like that.” Drat. How could she bail on me? Sure, she would hate I hadn’t given this soul-bond a chance, particularly when she worked so hard on hers and Davio’s relationship.
“They’ve gone, and don’t worry about it. I’ll take you home. Just tell me where that is.”
“I should have guessed she’d do that. I’m so sorry.”
“They care, although that doesn’t change our decision.” He seized my arm. “Where to?”
“Loveria Castle. That’s where I live when I’m not on Earth. Except, make it the outer fields where there won’t be any protectors.” He couldn’t be seen by the guards.
“Gotcha. I know exactly where.”
The dark encompassed us, and then we were there.
He squinted at Loveria Castle looming high on the hill in the distance. “Is this far enough away?”
“It should be. How’d you know about this spot?” The protectors stationed in the twin-towered gatehouse lookout towers could see for miles, but a copse of pines shielded us. “How’d you have an image to ’port us here?”
“Know the land of your enemy and all.” Hands in his pockets, he watched wispy clouds float over the castle’s massive gray stone walls. “I’ve been here a few times, Silvie.”
“Enemy? I’m not personally yours. I never will be because of the bond.”
“Broken bond.” He touched his chest. “And I know.”
“If you want to leave, then don’t mind me. There’s no need for us to talk like Faith said.”
“You’ve nothing else you want to say?” The silver rimming his blue eyes dulled. Okay, not fair. He’d been the one to insist we release each other. I couldn’t have him jerking on my heartstrings now. I had to toughen up if I was to get through this.
“Nope.” I dusted my hands off on my legs. “Get going, pretty boy.”
“Pretty boy?”
“Yep, we’ve already spoken our release, so you can go and find that nice warrior woman you’re after.” I turned on my heel. Walk. One step in front of the other. Don’t stop. Still, my heart heaved with each step I took. Stupid heartstrings.
“That’s it?” he called out.
“Sayonara.”
“What the hell?”
“It means goodbye.” I stomped through the thick grass, wishing it was his heart I tramped on and not mine. Uphill. Keep moving.
“You’re angry?”
“Apparently it’s the day for it.”
A burst of air from behind whisked my hair into my face, and then his arm whipped around my waist. He tumbled me into him. “I can’t leave if you’re upset.”
“I’m not upset, and I’m not yours to worry about. Go.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes.” I closed my eyes.
“This isn’t right. Look at me.” His fingertips skimmed my cheek.
“It’ll be easier if you just go. Please.” I needed to remain strong.
“Then take care, my mate.” His thumb swept over my lower lip. “I wish you well.”
His mate? No, he would be with someone else in the future.
I waited, struggling not to reach for him. Birds high in the forest of pines ceased chirping. His clothing rustled as he stepped away. A shift in the air caused the hairs on my arms to bristle. I opened my eyes. He was gone. His absence left a void, constricting my lungs and making me gasp for breath.
Unwanted tears rose and I gave in, letting them spill. Each drop would cleanse me.
My mate had never cared to truly know me.
Now he’d never return.
His loss, and mine.
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