Page 123 of De-Witched

Bastian’s sharp whistle cut through their debate and he made a time-out gesture. “Guys, chill before hex bags get thrown.”

Tia smirked, tossed her hair back. “I wouldn’t waste the ingredients on such a small man. And I mean that in every sense.”

Bastian touched his forehead and then his lips in a symbol of prayer.

Given his own mood, Gabriel decided to interrupt. “Tia, this is not the appropriate setting.” He locked down the instant of sudden fear when those blazing eyes turned on him. “I, ah, understand you and Henry have history but we’re all adults.”

“Yet to see evidence of that,” Henry muttered.

“How droll.” Tia crossed her arms, focused on Bastian. “Just because you have the bad taste to have this man as a friend doesn’t mean I should suffer his presence in my bar.”

“We’re having a last drink with Goodnight.”

Her gaze swung his way again. “You’re leaving? What about Leah?”

His throat hurt. Everything did. It wasn’t true. What she’d said.

She couldn’t love him.

He couldn’t let that thought surface, locked down on it like a drowning man desperate for air. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“I see his stupidity is rubbing off on you.”

Henry’s jaw clenched.

“I mean, is she all right with this?” she emphasized. “I won’t let you hurt her, Goodnight.”

Too late.

The memory of those perfect blue eyes shattered by his rejection chilled him to his marrow. He’d done that. And why?

Why?

When she’d spoken of going to the High Family, he’d been both elated and terrified out of his wits. To have her exposed like that. He couldn’t stand it. Better to make her angry, as long as it kept her safe.

Except it wasn’t anger in her eyes, at the end.

A mournful cry reverberated in his soul at the memory.

Tia looked at him sharply, as if she’d heard it. “You’ve already done something.”

He took a shallow breath, gripping the table to maintain an even expression. “I reminded her that what we have is temporary. She...didn’t take it well.”

Tia’s stare drilled into him. It might have been just them two as he fought the urge to explain. He owed Tia nothing. Even if Leah would need her when he went. When he left her.

He admitted defeat and closed his eyes.

“Good,” he heard Tia say, causing him to flinch. “Leah deserves someone who’d fight for her, sacrifice anything, and let’s face it, you’re not that guy.”

I would sacrifice for you. Wouldn’t you do the same for me?

The statement was shocking; even more so was the answer that had whispered from his heart.

So, he’d left her before any damage could be done. It was safer that they stick to the rules they’d laid out. Safer for her.

For him.

Struck, he swallowed as those words dug inside him. Safer for him. Because...

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