Those clipped words hit him like daggers through his flesh. They were a staggering blow that caused him to step back as he reeled from pain.
Gone?
How could Xyn be gone?
Urian stood without moving as he tried to come to grips with what Apollymi had just told him. A million questions ran through his head.
Had she died? Been killed?
What the hell did Apollymi mean she was no longer there?
Unable to accept that, he teleported to Sarraxyn’s cave so that he could see for himself what was going on. And to make sure it was the truth. Because honestly, he couldn’t accept it. He refused to accept it.
Until he saw the truth with his own eyes.
Her cave was empty.
She was gone and there was no trace left of his once beautiful dragon. Not a scale. Not a scuff on the floor. It was as if she’d never been.
And that tore his heart asunder. It bled pain through every molecule of his body. How could this have happened? Tears blinded him as his memories slammed into him and he cursed himself for not coming home sooner to see her.
For not ever apologizing.
She was human and I treated her like shit.
Hurt and wounded, he felt so guilty for everything he’d ever said or done. How could he have let them part like this? She’d been so important to him. Why hadn’t he told her that?
Just once?
I am an asshole.
Regret burned so deep inside him for everything that had gone unsaid. He’d hurt her and now there was no way to make amends.
Never harm a heart that loves you, for there are too many in this world that are out to cause you pain.His mother’s words haunted him now. She’d been right.
He’d wounded Xyn and for what? His own vanity?
My own stupidity.
For that, he deserved to be alone. Because in his heart, he knew he’d never have anyone else who could come close to his dragon. How could he? It wasn’t every day a guy met a woman who had those kinds of skills.
A woman who made him feel like he could fly. Whose smile made his heart sing.
How could he have given that up for anything?
Cold and alone, he’d started to leave when he caught a strange glimmer in the corner. Scowling, he headed toward it to see what it was.
How odd … Embedded in the wall of the cave was the small necklace Xyn always wore. She’d called it her dragon’s tear.
And in a small leather bag was a folded note. His hands shook as he unfolded it and then began to read the sweet, flowing script.
My dearest Urian,
While you are gone, my brother has secured my freedom. I don’t know if you’ll ever come back here or even think of me. You’ve no idea how many times I’ve regretted what happened between us.
That last night I saw you.
I miss my best friend in so many ways. There’s not a day that has passed without you in it when I haven’t carried your face in my heart, and I will do so until the day I die.
