Chapter 41: RIDICULOUS!

STELLA stared at his disappearing back, wondering where he was going off to. But she didn't ask or stop him. She turned, went back into the room, and shut the door. 

Valeric stood outside in the garden, a bouquet of hyacinth in his grip. The rain was gentle, and he'd walked over to the bench to take a seat. Strange, how strange. It wasn't anger that he was feeling, it was rather something like devastation—something that made him want to shove his hand into his chest and pull out his beating heart.  

He didn't like it. He didn't like the feeling at all, and it didn't make it any better that he didn't understand what it was. 

His grip on the bouquet tightened, and he tossed it away, having no need for it anymore. He'd bought it for her on his way back, but there didn't seem to be any need for it. She probably wouldn't take it if he gave it to her.