I reeled back like he’d struck me. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“It means.” His jaw worked. “It means you’ve made your choice. And I’m trying to respect that. Even if it’s killing me.”
“What choice?” My voice rose, edged with confusion. “What are you even talking about?”
“Don’t.” The word was harsh. “Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“What choice? What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
“I really fucking don’t.” My hands were still on his chest, his heart hammering like it was trying to escape his ribcage. “So how about you use your words and actually tell me instead of speaking in cryptic bullshit?”
His hands tightened on my waist, hard enough to bruise. “You made it very clear where your interests lie. I’m respecting that. Even if watching it is?—”
He stepped back. Put distance between us that felt like miles.
“But I can’t—” His hands flexed at his sides, mist curling around his fingers. “I can’t keep doing this.”
He turned.
And walked away.
I stood there, frozen, every muscle locked in place as that broad back retreated. The distance between us stretched and stretched until he rounded a corner and vanished completely.
The training yard was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat thundering against my ribs.
Then I turned.
Everyone was staring at me.
The amusement had drained from their faces like water from a broken cup. Shaelith’s eyes were shadowed with what looked like sympathy. Brynelle had gone very still against her wife’s chest. Linc’s smirk had vanished entirely. Fenric looked like he’d just watched someone die.
And Darian’s expression was devastated.
“Well,” he said quietly, his focus fixed on me. “That was heartbreaking.”
Something snapped.
“What thefuck?” I snapped. “What was that about?”
Nobody answered.
“Seriously.” I took a step toward them. Then another. “You all clearly know something I don’t. You’ve been watching us like it’s some kind of entertainment. Grinning like idiots. And now—” I gestured wildly at the empty space where Varyth had been. “Now you look like someone kicked a puppy. So what the fuck is his problem?”
Still nothing.
“Talk. One of you. Now.”
Darian exchanged a glance with Eilrys. She gave a tiny nod.
“Isara—” he started.
“Don’t.” I cut him off. “Don’t you dare try to manage me right now. Just tell me what the hell everyone seems to understand except me.”
“You need to talk to Varyth.” Darian sighed. “Actually talk to him.”
“Fine.”
