Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars 32

After a lengthily explanation about the happenings of Nyesh's sudden wellness—leaving out some details, of course, Rose told the others that she needed to get some sleep. Once the door to her chambers was closed, she grinned widely and sighed, "I never knew being in love was so wonderful."

Feeling giddy, she collapsed on the bed and lay there for a moment, thinking over the day. Just then he mother came in, "Am I interrupting anything?"

"No. Why?" she turned to her mother and was taken aback by the unreadable expression in them.

Namid sighed softly, and in a whisper of silk, she crossed the room. "Rose..." "You are not to see, Nyesh again."

She sat up abruptly, "Why not!" Studying her mother's face, she saw a hardness she had never seen, coldness in the usual light features.

"That boy is a thief. He has threatened us with the attack of the assassin today." "He proves we are an easy target."

Rose gave her a strange look, "Don't lay the blame on me, Mother, and don't deny you're trying to protect your lover."

Namid frowned, "He is none of my concern!"

Rose turned away, "And his son is?"

The older woman growled, "Rose Kai Cobriana, listen to me!" In a softer tone she continued, "You're acting like a child."

"And you're not?" Rose replied, her voice a challenge. "He was your friend!"

Namid's face went blank, "Duty comes first. True love, Rose..." she paused and stood, walking to the door, "Is a fantasy."

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Don't cry to me.
If you loved me, you would be here with me.
You want me, come find me.
Make up your mind.

Rakab sighed and sat around the fire with the members of Sheeva Intre—save one.

Shiela scowled, "If you keep drinking like that, Rak, you'll kill yourself." She snatched the tankard from his hands and poured the rest in the fire. Rakab glared at her, "So?" He shrugged, "She doesn't care about me, any more."

Alida put a hand on his shoulder, "We do."

Rakab stood and left, a drag in his steps. Bialas looked around, waiting for anyone to follow their leader. "Someone needs to tell him."

Senka shook his head, "Not yet."

Alida sighed, "He looks so lost."

"Namid had to leave," Elita replied, "He understands."

"Well then why is he drinking?" Bialas answered, "Why doesn't he care about killing himself?"

Shiela stared into the fire, green eyes sad, "He has spoken of suicide once before."

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Rak sat beneath a tree and sighed heavily, "I'm not giving up..." the wolf shape shifter looked up at the stars and growled, standing. "I can't take this." Rakab leaned against the tree and put his head in his hands.

Should've let you fall,
Lose it all,
So maybe you can remember yourself.

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Namid walked to the bare gardens, their beauty hidden in the snow, and sat on a stone bench, her thoughts in a mess, "Sometimes I wonder if I really love Salem." A tear fell down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away, "Gods, I'm being ridiculous!" she cried, pulling her coat tighter around her.

Can't keep believing,
We're only deceiving ourselves,
And I'm sick of the lies,
And you're too late.

"I lied to him!" she whispered, "I lied and this is my payment." Namid stared at the ground and suddenly looked up when she heard a voice. "Rakab" she thought, "It has to be him."

Don't cry to me.

But instead of Rakab, it was Salem's hand she felt on her shoulder and his voice she heard, "What's wrong?"

Namid looked up and sighed, "Nothing. Just thinking"

"About what?" The cobra prince took a seat beside her and urged her to continue.

If you loved me, you would be here with me.

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You want me, come find me.
Make up your mind.

Couldn't take the blame,
Sick with shame.
Must be exhausting to lose your own game.
Selfishly hated,
No wonder you're jaded,

Rakab stood, "I need to tell her." He ran in the direction of Wyvern's Court.

He saw memories and fantasies play before his mind's eye as he ran...

Namid kissed him, her heartbeat matching his, as they danced, hips swaying, lips moving silently...Kisses burning on his skin, words melting on his body as their bodies melted...Cries of a broken heart, calling to him...Pleads of help ringing in his ears...Sweet words of love...Promises of an everlasting love...Tears falling, a hand reaching out to brush them away...

Gods, he loved her, with all his heart, mind and soul he wanted her. As a friend, lover, and wife he wanted her.

But when he took a shortcut through the garden, he stopped in mid-step and froze. The memories halted and suddenly he couldn't breath. So she really did love him, despite what they had, years ago.

You can't play the victim this time.
And you're too late.

So, don't cry to me.
If you loved me, you would be here with me.

If he loved her, he would be in Salem's place, Namid as his mate.

If fate was ever kind, that would be so.

If he loved her, he would learn to let her go...

You love me, come find me.
Make up your mind.

You never call me when you're sober,

You only want it cause it's over – it's over.

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He walked home, back to the waiting members of Sheeva Intre, with a doubtful mind. He took a dagger from its sheath at his side and sighed. He might as well end his life now, he had no reason to live.

How could I have burned paradise.
How could I, you were never mine?

So, don't cry to me.
If you loved me, you would be here with me.

Sitting by the fire again, he watched as the others set their tents up, silent. He was dreading the dawn, but he knew Nyesh was expecting him to show up the next morning. He would show up, as promised.

The thief stood and put up his tent, his mind stubbornly made up.

Don't lie to me, just get your things.
I've made up your mind.