Love Stories

Chapter Fifteen

Their journey was delayed. Keldan stashed Leah safely in her room and told her to get together the things she wanted on hand. It left her time alone, both good and bad, and left Keldan with his own list to complete. She didn't know it, but first he went to Derian. Before the princes had left Turyn, there had been a conclusion. There was no wedding. Not now, not next year. Mona would not become the queen of Runderin. It broke her father's heart, but he accepted it. There was nothing to be done. She was wild. She was a fire that could not be talked into dying. Everyone had tried. She was unwilling to "give up her life" as she put it. It was clear a year wouldn't change that.

                Finding the princess in Derin, then, was surprising. She had left a day or two after the two princes. For whatever reason, no one was exactly sure, but it looked plain enough when she returned again. Whether it was the goal or not was unknown, true enough. But the reputation could live up to anything. Torr went with her.

                Leah took the news as silently as she could, but she didn't leave her rooms for days. She only ever wanted to see Keldan, but he insisted she let the servants in who brought her food. If he tried to convince her to leave, she told him she wasn't ready to face sympathetic glances and uneasy silence and he seemed to understand because he didn't ask her again.

                There were few things to occupy her time, so memories did. Sadly, Torr was in most of them. She'd been through it before, but this time it hurt worse than ever it had before. She'd really believed it this time, she'd dreamed of a happily ever after and had had no reason to doubt it. Now Torr was gone and she was alone again. Except for Keldan, but that wasn't the kind of comfort she wanted. She wanted Torr back, but that wasn't going to happen and she had to accept it. It was easier said than done.

                Her father wanted to see her, but Leah was afraid of what he might say, so it was two days before she consented to talking with him. At first he didn't say anything. The door opened and he meandered over to her window, with Read climbing over to him. Then he said, "Nice day."

                "Winter's coming," Leah said, her hands fluttering around her skirt nervously.

                "Winter has its charms." He sighed a bit and turned more toward her. "It's a season, with the rest. There's spring, when things grow. There's summer, when a lot of things are at their best. And there's fall, when some things start to decline. And yes, there's winter. Some things die. And then spring comes again." Leah had a feeling he wasn't just referring to the seasons, but she didn't want to admit anything, so she didn't speak at all. And so he dropped his metaphors. "There's still a beautiful world out there, Leah. With beautiful people in it."

                "I know," Leah said, blinking slowly as she sat down. "But I'm not ready for it yet."

                "There is a time for everything," he stated as he took a seat with Read jumping around him. "Even a time for tears and sulking, even hating, for ignoring and denying. A time for blaming and wishing. But times change. Maybe your time is over."

                Leah knew she probably shouldn't have said it, but she couldn't help the retort. "You're saying it's time for me to die?"

                "Maybe." Her father kept a straight face as he said it. "Die to pride."

                "You think I'm being proud?" Leah asked, disbelief showing on her face.

                Simis took a heavy breath. "I only mean you have to know what you're listening to. It could be pride. It could be hate. It could be regret. Whatever it is, is it worthy enough to lead your life? Is that what you want controlling you, being in charge?"