His happiness, or that of Amalia? He and Deimos had never been close, but the big man meant worlds to Amalia. He had done much for her that Jigano had been unable to. Much of her recent confidence had come from him, and the love and support he gave her, as the bard's better impulses came from Rory's influence. Neither of them would be who they were without their partners. If he lost Rory, he would lose so much of the light in his life. But if Amalia lost Deimos, or at least the memory of him, what would become of her? Would she lose all that confidence, that strength she had uncovered in herself with the General's help? She had been through so much already...
But so had Rory.
And so had he.
He had no right to choose for any of them, but he trusted in the love that Amalia and Deimos shared. It was foolish and stubborn of him to think like that, he knew, but they would find each other across worlds and stars now that their hearts had connected. They were both strong. Stronger than he was, in so many ways.
If he lost his heart, if he lost Rory...
"Rory," he said again, helplessly. Hopelessly. He was afraid he would lose everything, as Remi once had, but in the grip of the goddess's power he could do nothing but answer the impossible questions she put to him as she broke him down to cosmic dust and forced him to face the inherent selfishness in his heart.
But so had Rory.
And so had he.
He had no right to choose for any of them, but he trusted in the love that Amalia and Deimos shared. It was foolish and stubborn of him to think like that, he knew, but they would find each other across worlds and stars now that their hearts had connected. They were both strong. Stronger than he was, in so many ways.
If he lost his heart, if he lost Rory...
"Rory," he said again, helplessly. Hopelessly. He was afraid he would lose everything, as Remi once had, but in the grip of the goddess's power he could do nothing but answer the impossible questions she put to him as she broke him down to cosmic dust and forced him to face the inherent selfishness in his heart.
