I can't control their fear, only my own.
As the sun rose in Stormbreak, Zavien was filled with dread. The sharp emotions of recent events had been dulled, but the decisions had only just begun. He'd given himself LongNight to cherish the time with Lena in hiding before he had to leave, and as the first glow of sunlight filtered through the window, his deadline had arrived. Koa had just come back from a trip, making it the perfect opportunity to tie up loose ends before he set out on his quest for self-improvement; however, it didn't change the fact that he was leaving. He was actually leaving, his home, Lena, Koa, and everyone else. Leaving them in the clutches of the Family.
But not forever.
He kept repeating that part to himself. Over and over, he vowed to return. He would secretly visit when he could, sneaking moments with Lena. At least until it felt safe enough for him to come back. Or until he felt strong enough to do so.
Zavien still hadn't been sleeping well, tossing and turning on the couch as the images flashed through his mind, waking up in cold sweats with Sol laying on his chest to ease the panic. He wasn't sure how much Lena noticed, but he tried not to perseverate on the issue, pushing out soft smiles when he could. It didn't feel right to make things harder. Despite their time together, he hadn't broached the topic of her leaving with him again. Tal had been right. He needed to trust her, to let her stay while he worked through things, even if he was terrified of leaving her.
Awake early enough to see the slowly rising glow of morning, Zavien had chosen to abandon any hope of sleep. Instead, he walked to the kitchen, hair mussed and eyes tired as he found the supplies to make coffee, the elixir of life. While he prepared the pot, Sol sat on the edge of the couch, watching his every movement like a mother hen. It was enough to loosen the hold of anxiety in his chest, knowing that he had such a diligent bodyguard to travel with.
He poured the steaming black coffee into a mug as he spotted Lena. His voice was gruff but pleased as he gave her a soft smile. "Morning." The smile was tinged with sadness, lined with nerves and apprehension for what was ahead, yet Zavien pushed it away as he pointed to the rising sun. "Want to drink a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise with me?"
But not forever.
He kept repeating that part to himself. Over and over, he vowed to return. He would secretly visit when he could, sneaking moments with Lena. At least until it felt safe enough for him to come back. Or until he felt strong enough to do so.
Zavien still hadn't been sleeping well, tossing and turning on the couch as the images flashed through his mind, waking up in cold sweats with Sol laying on his chest to ease the panic. He wasn't sure how much Lena noticed, but he tried not to perseverate on the issue, pushing out soft smiles when he could. It didn't feel right to make things harder. Despite their time together, he hadn't broached the topic of her leaving with him again. Tal had been right. He needed to trust her, to let her stay while he worked through things, even if he was terrified of leaving her.
Awake early enough to see the slowly rising glow of morning, Zavien had chosen to abandon any hope of sleep. Instead, he walked to the kitchen, hair mussed and eyes tired as he found the supplies to make coffee, the elixir of life. While he prepared the pot, Sol sat on the edge of the couch, watching his every movement like a mother hen. It was enough to loosen the hold of anxiety in his chest, knowing that he had such a diligent bodyguard to travel with.
He poured the steaming black coffee into a mug as he spotted Lena. His voice was gruff but pleased as he gave her a soft smile. "Morning." The smile was tinged with sadness, lined with nerves and apprehension for what was ahead, yet Zavien pushed it away as he pointed to the rising sun. "Want to drink a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise with me?"
Zavien
