Hiraeth

Chapter Thirty One

The trip with Kade had rejuvenated her, but as she unpacked her bag, the excitement of being back home quickly turned to anxiety. She had avoided thinking about Beckett too much during her time away, but now the reality of her unresolved feelings loomed large.

She had barely stepped into the main hall when Lily, bounded toward her. "Sage! You're back!" Lily squealed, throwing her arms around Sage in a tight embrace.

"Hey, Lil!" Sage replied, squeezing her sister back, grateful for the warmth of their bond. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course! But Mother was driving me crazy asking about you," Lily teased, pulling back with a grin. "Are you okay? How was the beach?"

"It was great," Sage said, forcing a smile. "Just what I needed."

"Good! You look a little different, though. More relaxed, maybe?" Lila observed, tilting her head. "So, did you meet any suitable gentlemen?"

Sage chuckled, trying to shake off the weight of her feelings for Beckett. "Just Kade. You know our connection grew to friendship."

Lily rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes, but what about the others? You know, like Fleck or even that prince?"

"Lily!" Sage scolded, unable to suppress her laughter. "Let's not get into that right now."

"Why not? I want to hear about everything!"

"Maybe later," Sage said, the laughter fading as her mind drifted back to Beckett. "I have some things to sort out first."

As she headed upstairs to her room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to confront the emotions swirling inside her. Sage had spent too long running from her feelings for Beckett, and now it was time to face them head-on.

With her heart racing, Sage paced the floor of her room, contemplating her next steps. She decided to find him. They needed to talk.

Sage took a moment to collect herself before heading downstairs. The garden was a favorite spot of theirs, filled with blooming flowers and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain. It was where they had shared laughter, kisses, and so many dreams. She hoped that after his training at the training grounds he would be there.

Luckily she was right. When Sage arrived, she spotted Beckett leaning against a tree, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He looked as handsome as ever, but there was still a tension in the air that made her stomach churn.

"Beckett," she greeted softly, stepping closer. He whipped around and took her in, a mix of relief to see her again and shock that she had found him.

"Sage," he replied, his voice low. He shifted his weight, looking away for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "How was the trip?"

"It was good. I needed it."

Beckett nodded, silence stretching between them. Sage could feel the heaviness of everything left unsaid. "I've been thinking about us," she finally admitted, her heart racing.

"Us?" he echoed, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words. "What's there to think about? You made it pretty clear you needed space."

"I did," she acknowledged. "And so did you. And I still believe that was the right choice. But I also realized I can't just run away from what we have. I miss you, Beckett."

His expression softened, but there was still a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "You're not just saying that because you're back home? Because you've had some time away?"

"No! I mean it," she insisted, stepping closer, her heart pounding. "I know things have been complicated, but I don't want to let go of what we had. I want to understand what we can be."