I thought you said forever over and over
The clatter of the box against the floor was a jarring contrast to the gentle thump of the rose in its wake, and then Maea's hands were cradling Liam's face, drawing his distraught hazel eyes to hers. Gods how he wanted to believe her. How he wanted to blame others, to point the finger at anyone if only it would erase this complete and utter violation to which he had been subjected. But it all came back to him: his foolishness, his weakness, his folly. He might not be responsible for the actions of others, but he damn well hadn't made it difficult for them.
Hadn't made it difficult for her.
Thalassa.
If he hadn't been furious with the woman before for her role in injuring Maea - whether she had been directly involved or not - he certainly would be now. With the return of his sanity came the return of his memory, and the moment she'd lured him in replayed in crystalline clarity in his mind. The way she'd asked, oh-so-casually, if he was Maea's. Right before forcing him to Stormbreak, taking him to Dahlia.
As if she were choosing a target specifically to hurt her former friend.
A wrath unlike anything he'd ever known rose in his chest, threatening to choke him. But Maea was cradling his face, tears welling in her pale eyes, speaking softly to welcome him back - and in that moment, he chose love over hate. What good would it do to dwell on what had happened? For now, he had to let it go, lest he drown in his own self-loathing. But next time he saw Thalassa...
Liam shook it off. His hands came to rest at Maea's waist, and he leaned forward to press his forehead against his partner's, taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart. "I missed you, too." He swallowed hard, and his voice was thick with emotion as he added, "I was so worried about you. I saw you leave the masquerade, but when you didn't come home, I thought..."
Hadn't made it difficult for her.
Thalassa.
If he hadn't been furious with the woman before for her role in injuring Maea - whether she had been directly involved or not - he certainly would be now. With the return of his sanity came the return of his memory, and the moment she'd lured him in replayed in crystalline clarity in his mind. The way she'd asked, oh-so-casually, if he was Maea's. Right before forcing him to Stormbreak, taking him to Dahlia.
As if she were choosing a target specifically to hurt her former friend.
A wrath unlike anything he'd ever known rose in his chest, threatening to choke him. But Maea was cradling his face, tears welling in her pale eyes, speaking softly to welcome him back - and in that moment, he chose love over hate. What good would it do to dwell on what had happened? For now, he had to let it go, lest he drown in his own self-loathing. But next time he saw Thalassa...
Liam shook it off. His hands came to rest at Maea's waist, and he leaned forward to press his forehead against his partner's, taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart. "I missed you, too." He swallowed hard, and his voice was thick with emotion as he added, "I was so worried about you. I saw you leave the masquerade, but when you didn't come home, I thought..."
A sleepless night becomes bitter oblivion
Liam
