Threads of Fate

Chapter 58 ~ Gestures of Love

    Tissaia woke to pale light spilling across the bed. She twisted onto her side and squinted out the window, but all she could make out was a mass of swirling white. She sat up and draped the cloak she had been covered with over her shoulders, scanning the room for any sign of Azael.

    She didn't have to look far. He was seated in a ragged old armchair before the fireplace, his chin resting in his palm as he watched the flames. Orilight was sheathed and leaning against the stone wall beside it.

    Tissaia cleared her throat and he jumped. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she apologized swiftly.

    "It's all right. I was just lost in thought I suppose." Azael rose and came to sit beside her.

    "I should go check on Talarion," she sighed. "I doubt he's moved all night. He might be buried in snow if what's outside the window is any indication." She made to leave, but Azael caught her hand and she hesitated.

    "I already looked in on him. He's still in the sanctum, but it looks like he cleaned himself up at some point, and Kaius too. Kahari had put some clothes and a few spare blankets near the doorway for him last night, and I think he took them. Gaelen was checking on him regularly as well."
   
    Tissaia breathed a small sigh of relief and relaxed slightly. "How did you find him and his warriors?" She asked. "And where did you get Orilight? It's been missing for so long...and it shines for you."

    Azael lowered his gaze a fraction. "I threw Orilight into the forest after our argument in the pool. It just felt like a glaring reminder of who I was supposed to be and who I really was. I didn't feel worthy of carrying it, and I was afraid to unsheath it in case it didn't shine for me, just like my father. But Kaius found it at some point. He had it wrapped in his cloak and must have dropped it when he was kidnapped."

    "I found it outside the remains of the stable and finally decided to unsheath it. When I saw it glow..." His eyes closed and an almost reverent look settled across his features. "It was an assurance that I am not my father, and I am worthy of carrying it. That is what persuaded me to listen to Kahari and come after you."

    "We found Gaelen and his warriors a few days away from the village. They had been tracking us, just like the Lochren warriors said, but I managed to persuade Gaelen to help us instead of taking me back to Arcan when I told him everything that had happened." Azael looked back at her, his features now pinched with regret. "I'm only sorry we didn't get here sooner."

    "I'm not sure what difference it would've made," she sighed. "But I'm glad you're here now. We...we have a lot to talk about."

    "If you're not ready to yet, we don't have to. You went through a lot yesterday."

    Tissaia flicked her tongue over her lips as her mouth ran dry, but she squared her shoulders anyway. "No, we should talk it through now, while I can give you all my attention. I know Talarion will need me later. We'll have to sort out what we're going to do next and Kaius..." She trailed off, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. "You deserve the truth now. I've kept it from you long enough."

    Still, she hesitated, and when she next opened her mouth, Azael caught her hand in his own. "Let me go first," he suggested. "I owe you more answers, and you deserve them after so many years."

    Tissaia just nodded and didn't let go of his hand, even as he began to speak. "I was not disappointed by our betrothal as I know you've come to believe. I was content with it because even though I didn't consider myself in love with you, I saw the sense in the pairing."

    His gaze fell to their clasped hands and Tissaia ignored the warm tingle that spread up her arm as he brushed his thumb across her knuckles. "But I did begin to feel more for you over the years, and I began to look forward to when we'd finally name a wedding date."