Bab 213: Uncertain Loyalties

If you like music while you read, try "Without You" by Ursine Vulpine and Annaca.

*****

~ ZARA ~

I was a fucking coward. For the first few moments through that door, I kept my eyes on the floor, watching myself close the door before I turned to face him and made myself meet his eyes.

His broken, horrified, angry sapphire eyes that were so clouded with pain.

Seeing that look on his face, seeing the battle rage in his eyes was worse than I'd expected. Ash wasn't just angry or jealous… he was devastated. Shaking.

"Ash—"

"Don't." His teeth bit down on the word and his already tense body stiffened further. We stared at each other for a second as I scrambled for the words that wouldn't seem like a knife between the ribs. But Ash's throat bobbed. "You should have told me," he muttered. "It was obvious you were pulling away, I just…"

"I was going to," I whispered. "I swear, Ash. When things were more certain—"