“If you want to leave, then don’t mind me. There’s no need for us to talk like Faith said.”
“You’ve nothing else you want to say?” The silver rimming his blue eyes dulled. Okay, not fair. He’d been the one to insist we release each other. I couldn’t have him jerking on my heartstrings now. I had to toughen up if I was to get through this.
“Nope.” I dusted my hands off on my legs. “Get going, pretty boy.”
“Pretty boy?”
“Yep, we’ve already spoken our release, so you can go and find that nice warrior woman you’re after.” I turned on my heel. Walk. One step in front of the other. Don’t stop. Still, my heart heaved with each step I took. Stupid heartstrings.
“That’s it?” he called out.
“Sayonara.”
“What the hell?”
“It means goodbye.” I stomped through the thick grass, wishing it was his heart I tramped on and not mine. Uphill. Keep moving.
“You’re angry?”
“Apparently it’s the day for it.”
A burst of air from behind whisked my hair into my face, and then his arm whipped around my waist. He tumbled me into him. “I can’t leave if you’re upset.”
“I’m not upset, and I’m not yours to worry about. Go.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes.” I closed my eyes.
“This isn’t right. Look at me.” His fingertips skimmed my cheek.
“It’ll be easier if you just go. Please.” I needed to remain strong.
“Then take care, my mate.” His thumb swept over my lower lip. “I wish you well.”
His mate? No, he would be with someone else in the future.
I waited, struggling not to reach for him. Birds high in the forest of pines ceased chirping. His clothing rustled as he stepped away. A shift in the air caused the hairs on my arms to bristle. I opened my eyes. He was gone. His absence left a void, constricting my lungs and making me gasp for breath.
Unwanted tears rose and I gave in, letting them spill. Each drop would cleanse me.
My mate had never cared to truly know me.
Now he’d never return.
His loss, and mine.
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Wadsworth/e/B00AVRVIBM/
Copyright: Highlander’s Magic
Copyright © 2014, Joanne Wadsworth
Edited by Penny Barber
Cover Art by Joanne Wadsworth
First electronic publication: June 2014
Joanne Wadsworth
http://www.joannewadsworth.com
eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
Published in the United States of America
Highlander's Magic Page 20
