“It’s all going to be ok. Come on, let’s get ready. We have a mission to complete.” I pick up the bowl, and although I have no appetite, I force myself to swallow a spoonful just so we don’t have to continue this conversation.
I can sense his eyes on me, that intensity and the prickle on my skin that I’ve always felt every time he turned my way… that look I mistook for hatred.
He’s my mate…
There’s a knock on the door, and Jayce stands up, going over to it. He pulls the door open. Artemis stands there, ready as well.
“Hey, Si…” She smiles at me, and I wonder who else heard me cry last night. She looks concerned, but I’m grateful she doesn’t ask anything else.
“Hey.”
She smiles before turning to Jayce. “How long until we leave?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
I place the bowl down and stand. “I’ll go get ready, too.”
I excuse myself, brushing past Jayce. Artemis turns to look at me, but I don’t look back, heading straight to my room. I slip inside, hoping not to disturb Shahira, but she’s already up.
“Hey, Si, are you ok?” she asks softly.
I nod. “Yes.”
She gives me a small smile. “Please don’t use that dream spell again? I don’t think it’s good.”
No kidding…
I nod. “I won’t use it again. I promise you.”
She nods slowly, watching me. “Did something happen? You had a cut on your neck.”
I shake my head. “No… nothing.”
“Ok…” She doesn’t believe me, but I don’t have the heart to reassure her right now. Not when my own world is shattering.
I get my bag that is already packed and my outfit, and head to the bathroom.
Jayce is my mate, but I can never let him find out. That’s a secret I’ll take with me…
I open the bathroom door and gasp when I see Jayce leaning against the door frame.
“Ready?” he asks, not commenting on the way I jumped back.
Nodding, I stretch out my hand, needing his comfort even when I’m breaking inside. He takes my hand in his half-gloved one, raising it to his lips and kisses my knuckles softly.
“Come on then, let’s do this.”
“Yeah.”
Our eyes meet before he leads me out to the lounge area and then out of the dorm. My eyes never leave him, the shattered shards of my heart being ground into dust.
I never deserved you. And for leading you on? For that, I am sorry.
The Journey
Jayce
Something is wrong, and I don’t even need my intuition to know that. The only thing I am certain of is that it’s linked to her dreams. Maybe it’s the same dream she’s having, or maybe it’s a new vision. Did she perhaps see what I saw? Is that why she doesn’t want to talk to me?
