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He didn’t respond, but those eyes did their feral flashing again.

I’ve missed you, I wanted to say. Can we get lost in the fun side of things again?

Instead, I said, “Sorry.”

His lips quirked into a brief smile. “We must behave ourselves.”

“Yeah. This can’t happen again.” Man, that hurt to say, the crystal dagger begging to differ. It hummed deep in my core, daring me to confess the thing I never wanted to confess.

I can’t love him.

I can only care for him.

“Agreed.” One word from him, dripping in sadness.

Fuck this.

Fuck everything.

You are my constant and this isn’t fair!

“Never apologize, Paris.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I will keep a distance from you now. It’s for the best.”

Like a complete fool, I asked, “Is this goodbye?”

There were those sad shadows again. “Thank Caer for her kindness for me.” He wriggled his hands free from mine. “And thank you for…” He paused, closing his eyes as more bloody tears broke free. “Thank you for…” He couldn’t finish.

“Being a pain in the arse?”

He laughed, the sound lovely and smooth.

“For the drama?” I threw out.

He opened his eyes before standing. All serious, no more smiles. “For being you.”

A bullet to my box, a chain popping. “I⁠—”

“Goodbye, Paris. We will defeat him.”

He left quickly, everything seeming to plunge in temperature as if I were hugging a frostbrood. I got up to watch him stride over to Medusa and Vaughn. They spoke for a moment, then the three of them went through a portal.

Why did I feel so dejected, so full of ice when I’d already dished out the rejection? That choice kept us safe and should always be what I held onto.

Come back…

Please just come back.

Within that sadness, I also saw hurt. I didn’t want to admit it, but there it was, a different type of grief coming from being turned down.

This was…this wasn’t right. He should be here, and I couldn’t stand him not being beside me.

I’m sorry.

Let me make it right.

Let me⁠—

“Enough,” I grumbled, heading for the tree line.