Page 12 of Immortal Burden

I heard him slump down.

With our drinks in hand, I took a seat beside him and handed him the long-stemmed glass full of the glowing magenta concoction. Our fingers brushed, his eyes locking with mine.

With a clearing of his throat, he looked away and focused on his drink.

“It’s been a while, Ryker.”

“Yeah, several months.”

“I understand you’ve been off-realm.”

He nodded. “With Kalen.”

I took a long swig from my glass, crossing my legs and reclining back as I took him in.

Times when I’d encountered him during our work with the Guardian Movement over the years, he’d always been so full of life, radiating vim and vigor, and so much passion and lightheartedness.

Now, however, that was not only just subdued, but it seemed utterly extinguished.

He was shattered.

“Word around the Guardian Compound is that you were successful in restoring his kingdom’s lifeforce.”

“It took a while, but I got the job done, yeah.”

He hadn’t even registered his recent work as an accomplishment, he was so incredibly downtrodden. Heartbroken, to be more specific. “You should know that Cornelius intended to send three more magic-wielders to complete that mission, but it proved unnecessary. The fact that you accomplished it alone is an impressive feat.”

The corner of his mouth turned up and there was a brief spark in his eyes as he said, “Well, I can be a relentless shit at times.”

“Driven and highly-accomplished is how I would term such a thing.”

“That’s your lust for me leading the way.”

I smiled. “Is that so?”

“It’s not exactly something you’ve ever gone out of your way to hide. Even when I wasn’t single.”

“Ah, but I did show a great deal of restraint during those unfortunate days.”

“Unfortunate?” he queried, with a discernible eagerness.

“When you were shackled.”

He flinched, his eyes flashing, clearly not liking that one bit.

He shifted his weight, moving to the edge of the sofa, clasping his glass with both hands as he frowned at me. “Being committed to someone, in a relationship, doesn’t mean shackles.”

“No. But for you that was the case.”

“Excuse me?”

“You weren’t living your truth. You weren’t free.”

“That’s not—”

“A great deal remained unexplored for you, did it not? Certain needs and desires.”

“I—”

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