Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Twenty-Two

What Saleene hadn’t known was Dartian had been awake, relaxing in the knowledge that he had finally found a woman he could love. He was so deep in thought; it had not registered at first what she was saying. When he felt her get up and leave, it began to sink in. She was thanking him, but saying goodbye. At first rage boiled through his veins, but then a small voice of reason hit him. What had she said? 

‘And if I never live to be loved again’. My god, she believed she would never live to find love. She wasn’t saying goodbye because she wanted to, but because she believed she would not be around to be loved. In that moment of clarity, His heart tore at her words.

Sighing, he knew in that moment that she loved him.  The fact that she refused to acknowledge it meant nothing, for her actions spoke more than her words did. She had given him far more than she knew, he just needed to make her understand it.

Rising to his full height, Dartian put his shirt back on, thinking back over the time they had shared. It amazed him how much she had given him, believing as she did that her life would end soon. Shaking his head at the notion of her leaving this world, he resolved to make sure with every fiber of his being that it never would occur.

He loved her, which in itself was a miracle as far as he was concerned. He expected never to find a woman to spend his life with. Even his mother had given up on him. His father had once told him, that when you least expect it was when it would happen. What he wouldn’t give to have his father around for this. Once he got back, he was sure his father would smile that his words had been right. Now he just needed to make sure she understood just how right they were for each other, evil be damned. 

Fully resolved to his mission, Dartian felt a renewed sense of calmness sweep through him, and he could have sworn he heard an old woman chuckling in his mind. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he moved toward the door and out into the night in search of his wayward woman. He had a need to discuss with her their future together, even if it meant he would have to tie her to his side.

*****

Moving quickly through the forest, Saleene ran away from the cave, away from Dartian, and away from her heart. She was no fool. She knew she loved him, but with that came the knowledge that they could never be together. Oh, he would no doubt be wonderful to be with, of that she was sure, but he deserved more than she could offer. Her vow to the clan was more important than her life, and she had accepted that. Over a small hill and through the thick brush of the forest, she ran. Never once missing a beat, she refused to leave any indication of what direction she was going. She knew that Dartian would follow, but she refused to allow him a chance to find her. She needed time to think, to sort out her feelings, before facing him again. Allowing her senses to fan out, she located exactly what she was looking for.

Turning her body, she moved in the direction of a sacred pond. She needed the seclusion of the pool and solitude it provided to replay the day’s events. As she rounded the corner, she nearly tripped over a branch lying on the ground. How did she not see it lying there? Cursing herself, Saleene moved her gaze around the area, searching for any source of danger. Nothing appeared to be close by. Inside her mind she argued with her heart. For now she needed to get her wits about her. Perhaps a swim would help clear her mind of the jumble of emotions that overtook her thoughts.

Swimming to the middle of the pond, she ducked her head, finally allowing all of her emotions to reign free. Happiness for finally finding out what love felt like, sadness knowing she could never feel it again, fear that she could not protect him, and rage at the gods for putting her on this quest, knowing full well she would find love but not be able to keep him. As she surfaced from the pool, water cascaded down her face, as did her tears. She turned toward the sky, her heart crying out in anger.