“So that’s that then,” I said, hating the throatiness of my voice.
He nodded. He stepped forward like he would kiss me, and part of me wanted him to more than anything in the world. The smart part of me was glad when he vanished instead.
And like that, my oldest and closest friend wasn’t anymore.
A knock sounded on my door. Rianna pushed it open without waiting for me to answer.
“Hey, Al, I’m heading down to dinner, want to join?” She paused, frowning at me where I was standing in the center of the room, still staring at the spot where Death had been. “You okay? Did something happen?”
I turned to her and forced the tears back down. “Yeah. Dinner sounds good. I’ll be down soon.”
I forced a smile I didn’t feel. Yet. This castle was full of friends. A family I’d accidentally built around myself. I might not feel the smile yet. And I would grieve the end of this first real relationship. But the smile would be real again. Eventually.
First though, I’d test the garden gnome’s theory that the castle bent to my will. Because I wanted ice cream. And cake. And chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
Chocolate could fix anything.