Her tears fell in a deluge, for a love she never had a chance at.
* * *
Aerén stormed out of the apartment to the pathway between the buildings and dematerialized. He reformed in some derelict alley in a rundown part of the city. Power bled free, blasting into the dingy walls in sizzling lightning bolts. Rubble broke off and rained down, the agony within ripping him apart, cell by cell.
Leya had not only yanked out his heart, but she’d stomped on it until nothing remained—
He pivoted and punched the wall. Over and over and over, but it didn’t ease his anguish.
His damaged hands braced on the wall, his head hung between his arms as blood seeped from his smashed knuckles. The anguish eviscerating him was so vast, he doubted he would ever be whole again, ever heal from her brutal rejection.
He would have given up everything for her. But she only wanted him for a moment offun, not for a lifetime.
Unable to remain still, or he would destroy the buildings around him, he stalked along the alleyway.
Another figure strode his way, the male’s energy abrading Aerén’s psyche like nails. Another damn immortal.
The male’s blue hair shone beneath the moonlight. If Daén had fucking followed him, he would kill him. His brother could have rescinded the fucking rule but chose not to! Bastard!
Aerén stormed up—
And stumbled to a halt, his lungs feeling like they would shut down.
Thestreakyblue hair, so like his sire’s. Only one person possessed that tone.
More pain ripped through him, probably to finish the job Leya had started with her decimation of him. Rage pumping free, he flashed to the leather-clad figure, who halted, his expression morphing to one of sheer disbelief.
Aerén pulled back his arm and rammed his fist in the male’s face. His head snapped back, and he stumbled. Snarling, Aerén punched him again and again—
“Ren, for godssakes, stop!”
There was such pain in the male’s voice; it broke through Aerén’s torment.
Gunmetal gray eyes skimmed over Aerén’s face, and they softened.
“You left, never sent a word. For three thousand years!” Aerén spat at his brother.
“I couldn’t. You know the rules of banishment.”
Aethan looked older, harder, and bigger. Clad in all black, peril oozed out of him. But Aerén couldn’t deal with any of it. He shook his head, skirted around Aethan, and stalked off.
“Ren, wait.”
“Why?” He continued out of the alley. Not wanting to head into the busy street, he turned left into a narrow side road.
“Ren—” Aethan grabbed his arm.
He yanked free. “What do you want…” His gaze went down his brother and up again, taking in his all-black get-up, and then it clicked. “Dressed like that and stalking the alleyways, you’re aGuardianof this realm. Of course, you are! I’m going to fucking kill Reynner! He knew!”
“It’s not his fault. I thought it was better this way—”
“What the fuck do you know?”
“I know you will find the Chosen needed to save Empyrea and leave again.”
Aerén stared, his anguish swamping him.
“What’s wrong?” Aethan asked quietly.
