Page 20 of Sky on Fire
“It’s not.It hasn’t been in a long time, and I don’t plan on coming back.What you did hurt me, Mom.I understand that you had to think about what was best for the clan, but I’m your son.You’re supposed to stand by me.You’re supposed to comfort me.You’re supposed to want the best for me, but you didn’t even try to talk to Peyton and Amber.You didn’t do anything when Peyton left me.Hell, you accepted their relationship in a way that meant that the rest of the clan had to do the same.I don’t know if I can ever forgive you for that.”
And he wasn’t even sure he wanted to try.
* * * *
MEYER HOVERED AT THEdoor leading to the landing pad.Tyne and his mother had moved too far for Meyer to be able to hear what they were saying, but it didn’t matter.He didn’t want to hear.He just wanted to keep an eye on Tyne in case he needed to intervene.
Tyne was an adult, and he and his mother shared a relationship Meyer couldn’t remember.Meyer had nothing to say about whatever was happening, but he was feeling protective, especially after the night they’d shared.
He hadn’t been surprised when he’d woken up in an empty bed.He’d never thought that them sleeping together would solve all their problems, but he hoped it would be a step forward.He desperately wanted to talk to Tyne about what it meant, but doing so here would be the worst thing they could do, which was why he hadn’t pushed.Tyne was uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to leave, and Meyer was sure that once they did, Tyne would relax.That would be a better time for them to talk about what spending the night together meant for their relationship.
Hopefully, they would have one now that they’d talked things out.There was still the danger of Carlyle to deal with, but Meyer was positive that they could do it.The mages were good at what they did.
“Peyton.”
Meyer didn’t turn around right away.He recognized the voice, unfortunately, and while he wanted to yell at Tyne to pull him out of this mess, Tyne had better things to do.
When Meyer eventually turned, he found Amber wringing her fingers together.She wore a flowing green dress, and her dark hair framed her face.She already had tears in her eyes, and Meyer took a step back in case she wanted to cry on his shoulder or something.Normally, he would have let her, but nothing about this situation was normal.
“Meyer,” he said.
She frowned.“You really don’t remember?”
“I don’t.The first thing I remember is waking up in the middle of a forest, completely on my own with no memories of who I was.”
“You love me.”
“I’m sure Peyton did, but I’m not him.”
“I’m sorry.I waited for you for a while, but eventually, I started to believe that you were gone for good.I met someone else.I needed a shield, and while he’s not you, he’s good to me.”
Meyer was relieved.He understood why this was hard for Amber, and he felt sorry for her, but part of him resented her for hurting Tyne.He knew people couldn’t help who they fell in love with, but from what Tyne had said, Amber had been so focused on her happiness that she hadn’t treated Tyne right.Neither she nor Peyton had.
“I’m glad you’re happy,” he said.“And it’s fine.You did the right thing.I don’t remember you or what we had, and I never will.It’s good that you have someone else to focus on.”
She looked hurt, almost as if she’d expected her presence to magically make Meyer remember.For a long time, Meyer had wished he would get his memories back, but not anymore.All of that was in the past.Amberwas in the past.Tyne was Meyer’s future, and he was the only one Meyer cared about.
He turned toward Tyne and his mother.He hoped they were done talking because he had enough of being here.He nodded at Amber, ignored her when she reached for him, and walked out onto the landing pad.Tyne stopped talking when he heard him.He didn’t smile, but he quickly stepped away from his mother and shook his head at her.Meyer didn’t hear what he said, but whatever it was, Tyne’s mother didn’t look pleased.Tyne left her standing there as he rushed toward Meyer, and Meyer felt a little smug.
Tyne was his.
“Ready to go?”he asked.
“I’ve been ready to go since last night.Please, get me out of here.”
Meyer would do pretty much anything to make Tyne happy, but shifting and flying away wasn’t a hardship.He didn’t look back as he beat his wings and used the wind to get higher.He hoped to never see this place again.It didn’t hold any kind of memories for him, but it did for Tyne, and most of them were bad.
They didn’t stop anywhere this time, but then, Meyer hoped that Tyne had confessed everything that had been on his mind on their way to the clan.Now, they both yearned to be home, and while it was a long flight, Meyer was more than ready for it.
They landed early in the afternoon.Meyer didn’t even have time to shift back before Tyne was already halfway down the courtyard, headed for the closest door.He was clutching the packet of ingredients they’d been sent to retrieve to his chest, and he didn’t look back.
He was running.
That was okay.Meyer had expected it, and he wasn’t planning on pushing Tyne just yet.Tyne needed space, and Meyer was willing to give it to him.Hedidn’t need space.He’d wanted what had happened between them since day one, and he wasn’t going to change his mind.
But he wasn’t the one with the memories.He wasn’t the one who’d been abandoned and betrayed.Even though Tyne had finally accepted that Meyer wasn’t Peyton, Meyer wouldn’t be surprised if it took him some time to sift through the feelings the night they’d spent together had brought up.
When Tyne was ready, Meyer would be there, waiting for him.In the meantime, he was sure he could find something to do.
