Jovari the Blue

Chapter 31: A Mistake

Esterpine

Jovari hid his smile at the flash of pink when he caught sight of it. He hesitated, giving Leah a few moments to slip out of view before striding down the corridor. He paused outside the doorway, peeking inside. An art gallery.

She moved through the room, pausing before several paintings, oblivious to his presence.

He silently slipped inside, coming to a stop an arm's length behind her. "You're not hiding, are you?"

She gasped, whirling around, hand clutched to her chest. "Jovari! Don't—don't sneak up on me like that." He huffed, enjoying the look of surprise lighting her features. "And, I'm not hiding."

"No?" He glanced around the deserted room. "This is the third time you've snuck off to explore the inner workings of the palace."

"You've been following me?" Her incredulous expression shifted to annoyance.

"Why not? Had to make sure you didn't get lost."

"I'm not lost! Just...exploring."

His brows lifted. "Your best friend returned two days ago and you spend your time sneaking about the palace."

Leah's expression shuttered. "That's because she's busy. She's got a lot to catch up on and I...I don't want to distract her."

She made an admirable effort to disguise the wobble in her voice. "Ah. How selfless of you."

"Exactly." She lifted her chin.

It had been a relief, seeing Claire return with her magic and memories intact. Even more so, seeing Talon's joy at having his queen back. The king was still grim, but every time his eyes landed on his mate, hope sparked in his gaze.

Jovari pretended to drop the subject, taking a step back to admire the painting before them. It was a desert landscape, somewhere in Austar, probably. He walked closer for a better look, hyperaware of Leah's eyes on his every movement. He liked that, having her attention on him and him alone.

"It's amazing how a place so bleak and desolate can hold so much beauty," he murmured, taking in the color of the sand, the shades of paint used on the sunset splashed across the sky. He turned abruptly, pinning Leah with his gaze. "She was looking for you earlier, you know." Leah's lips parted. "What is the real reason you're avoiding her?"

"I'm not—"

"Don't lie, Leah. You and I are far past that, don't you think?"

She blew out a breath. "Claire has her memories back—she has all this." Leah gesticulated towards the palace walls, doing her best to disguise the flash of jealousy in her expression. "She doesn't need me. I'll just—get in the way."

"Leah." He took a step towards her, then stopped. "No matter what she has, she will always need friends, people to support her in her endeavors."

"I... I know that." This time the wobble in her voice was more apparent. "It's just... It's hard, you know?"

"Explain." His voice was a rough demand.

"It's hard to see her living her life because it just reminds me of what I don't have. What I've failed to accomplish. I'm twenty-two, Jovari. What do I have to show for myself?" A dark laugh burst from her lips. "Isn't that selfish? I can't handle being around my best friend because I can't take the reminder of how she has everything and I have nothing. She's my best friend! I love her more than anything in the world. No one is happier than me that she freed herself from Kane's magic—well, Talon is probably happier, since he's her mate—and yet, here I am moping about how pathetic my life is. I'm supposed to be selflessly supporting her—"