I smile too, though it takes everything I have to hold back the tears threatening to spill. “We have.”
“Take care of yourself,” he says roughly.
“I will.” I reach up and touch his face. Just briefly. “I’ll see you again, Sebastian.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” He leans down, pressing his forehead to mine. We stand there, breathing each other in. “For what it’s worth, this short time with you has been the best of my life,” he says as he pulls away.
Despite everything, I let out a small laugh. “So you love being chased, beaten, and then chased some more?”
He laughs too. The sound is low.
“As long as I’m with you,” he says, “it doesn’t matter…nothing matters. I am at my happiest.”
We stand there for another moment. Then he steps back, creating a space between us that feels just plain wrong.
“I’ll miss you,” he says.
I can’t respond. If I try to speak, I’ll cry. So I just nod, pick up my bag, and turn toward the door.
I step out onto the porch. I pause there, my bag slung over my shoulder.
My heart feels like it is breaking. I can feel it cracking inside me, piece by piece. I start to second-guess myself. I love Sebastian. I can’t deny it anymore.
Maybe I should turn around. Maybe I should give him another chance.
No.
I grip the porch railing and force myself to breathe.
I have to be strong. I love him, yes. But I’m not convinced that he loves me enough to override the way he protects himself.The way he’s always protected himself. He’ll say the right things, and then the moment he feels vulnerable, he’ll shut me out again. He’ll accuse me of something terrible just to create distance between us.
I don’t believe he can fully love me or trust me the way I deserve. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
We need time apart. We both need to heal.
I release the railing and walk toward Delphine. The dragon watches me approach. Her golden eyes are beautiful in the light. Everyone has gathered near her. Maya holds Maxwell, who is bouncing and gurgling. Kyrie stands close to Damon, their hands intertwined.
“Thank you,” I say to Maya, hugging her. “For everything.”
I kiss Maxwell on the top of the head.
“You’re welcome here anytime,” she tells me. “Remember that.”
Kyrie pulls me into her arms next. “Be safe,” she whispers. “And come back to visit.”
“I will.”
Damon gives me a firm nod. “Good luck with the shifterfae. Tell Kilara we look forward to meeting with her soon. We will see you soon, Isla. Good luck with the training. We are counting on you.”
“I’ll see you all soon.”
I turn to Orion. He stands beside Maya, one hand resting on the small of her back.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Ready.”
I climb onto Delphine and secure my bag across my back, gripping one of the large spikes rising from Delphine’s spine.
