Page 10 of A World of Ruins

A heartbreaking shock pierces his eyes. It’s almost tangible between us, with his guilt for me. And yes, I might have once thought it was the queen that broke me, but she was only part of what came after.

Having nothing else left to say, I start walking away. I’ve only gone a few steps before he says, ‘He spoke of you, you know.’

I pause.

‘A lot.’ Lorcan chuckles. ‘Actually, it became the only thing he would talk about.’

I slowly turn on my feet as Lorcan’s eyes stare at the clouds. He smiles, and it looks almost boyish. ‘The girl with golden hair and fierce eyes. Of course, I didn’t make anything of it until I met you for the first time in your village.’ He lowers his gaze, that smile fading into something sadder, and as the Phoenix warriors fly above us, keeping a watchful eye on trainees within their domain, Lorcan remains still. ‘Deep down, I knew it was you, and the more you two met in secret, the more I knew I was losing you to him.’

Losing me tohim. . .

‘Lorcan,’ I sigh, sinking my teeth into my lower lip. ‘You didn’t lose me because of him, because you never had me.’ I should feel wrong for saying this to him, for letting my admission ruin whatever chances he might have imagined for us, but I don’t. He deserves the truth. No matter how harsh it may be. ‘And the truth is, I do not think you ever loved me. Not properly.’

He looks like he is about to interrupt me, but I raise my hand.

‘I think you were infatuated,’ I admit. ‘And I believe the side of me connected to animals and creatures played a part in that, too.’

There is a stagnant pause, and I step towards him. He stiffens, unsure of my next move, as I hesitantly place a hand on his chest. Though I can’t see the scar he once had through his clothing, I imagine it is gone, like the rest of the scars on his hands are.

‘You were given a second chance to live,’ I whisper, my eyes looking up at his. ‘And you deserve to be loved, but that person is not me.’

He’s shaking his head. ‘No one will dare to after everything I have done in the past.’

I allow a slight titter to escape me as I drop my hand and take a step back. ‘You would be surprised how forgiving the people of this world can be.’

His brows slant downwards, wondering what I mean by that, but I don’t intend to spill anything. It is not my place.

‘Goodbye, Lorcan.’ I smile as if this is our truce for now.

He nods sagely. ‘Goodbye . . .’ an amused smile dots along his lips – ‘Miss Ambrose.’

I nod in gratitude as an Aerian warrior opens the large double doors of the base where the surviving shifters are staying. The building used to be a garrison for retired Aerian warriors; I have learned that Aerians treat one another like family and aren’t accustomed to any rules such as the royals from other kingdoms have. I was always told they were the more rebellious of our four peoples, but really, they just accepted everyone as equals.

The Aerian woman smiles, her pale skin a jewel under the sunset. I then notice a few other Aerians walking towards the palace. They are wearing the usual Aerian armour, with the difference being the letter T carved in obsidian against their chestplate.

Trackers.

They are different from warriors. They are knowledgeable geniuses who investigate potential threats across Aeris. With the concern I see across their leonine features, I can guess they are on their way to inform Hira about more Rocs.

As they disappear behind hedges, I enter the garrison and am hit with a powerful memory of my time visiting the shifter’s den in Emberwell. But here is a hall full of them. Men, women, children, creatures Darius has saved, and dragons rest on long tables. A few are standing on the second floor, looking down at the others over the banister.

Despite what our world is facing, they are still enjoying themselves and acting like one giant family. This is why I don’t like coming here often. Other than their endless questions, they remind me too much of Darius.

A child in plaits runs across to me with a whelp on their tail, while a goblin and what must be a pixie by the size of his enormous ears smile at me in recognition.

None of the shifters know who Darius and I truly are to the world. Gus had decided to keep that bit a secret. Having certain people know is already too much pressure, and I don’t want more of them to rely on me.

‘There is the Goldie!’

An agonising ache immediately has my breath drop to my stomach as I hear that nickname. I look to the right of me as the blond locks of Cutler come into my line of view. He’s smiling from ear to ear with a tankard in his hand, not realising the significance of that one word.

My fingers twitch at my sides. ‘Do not call me that.’ It’s a soft-spoken order, but I am so close to sending a punch his way.

He frowns, pressing his drink against his chest. ‘It is what Darius called you, is it not?’

I know he does not mean it as a discourtesy, but I still take an infuriating footstep towards him and part my lips to go off on him, but a voice from behind stops me.

‘Leave her alone, Cutler.’

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