Des'Tai: Book Two

133: Tyron

By the time we got back to Difoda the beer on my shirt had dried through, but I could still smell its stale smell lingering against the fine material. I didn't waste any time in changing - maybe it was a good thing that I didn't find my favourite shirt, after all. 

I was sat on the edge of the bed when Faye stepped from the closest, the purple outfit she'd been wearing now replaced with something more comfy and casual. For a moment we simply just stared at one another, neither of us saying or thinking anything. My emotions were still tightly strung and raw; but her words had helped me more than I ever imagined they could.

I'd never been one to rely on someone else for comfort or solace, (damn, I prided myself on always keeping calm and collected in most situations) but I suppose that was another detail in the job description of Lifemates. When I'd left that restaurant, I needed something that I didn't think anyone in the world could have given me - a reprieve to the sudden wave of overpowering grief.

I pushed up from the bed, crossed the space between us, then silently dropped my forehead to meet Faye's. Grey met blue eyes, and the tip of my nose brushed against hers as I spoke. "I'm sorry I make life so difficult, Katinar...I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"Funny that," A light smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I ask myself the same question."

Lifting my head, I nodded toward the bundle of beer smelling clothes tucked under my arm. "I'm getting rid of these then I'll be back."

Faye folded her arms. "I'll be here."    

After the events of tonight, I'd completely forgotten about Rune's plans for the balcony hangout until Senna appeared at the top of the stairs, wine glasses in one hand and various bags of crisps and treats hanging from the other. I stared at her as I dropped my clothes into the laundry chute.

"Uh...Hi? OH! Our plans for tonight. Shit. I completely forgot."

Her hair was loose around her shoulders, with one side plaited closely to her scalp, showcasing one pointed ear. Senna stopped in the hallway, seeming unsure. "We can do this another time if you'd like?"

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. Faye's in the bedroom if you want to go see her."

It was a good job I'd changed into my plain white t-shirt and navy shorts, else Senna would have gotten an eyeful. She was also lucky I wasn't feeling my usual self too; otherwise she would have found her friend perched up on the kitchen counter instead.

Unfortunately, Sex was currently the last thing on my mind.

When I went to walk past her, the white-haired elf caught at my arm, the wine glasses clanging as she forced me to look at her. Her hazel eyes were soft and understanding, her expression full of compassion. "Ty...I know tonight must have been difficult. I can see it written all over your face."

I sighed. So, the whole palace did know before I did.

"I need you to know that I understand where you are right now. It's confusing, frustrating and...with lack of a better word, heart-breaking. My Malanai died when I was eighteen and my Iasa moved on fast," She looked away. "By the time I was twenty-one, he'd joined with his Nieve in a Naming Ceremony, giving her a name my Mali once had. My parents were Lifemates, too."

"Senna..."

"It feels like betrayal, doesn't it? Not just for you but for the parent that's gone too. You feel like their memory means nothing, their existence didn't matter, like they died all over again." Senna took a low, steady breath when she finally looked back to me. "That man was never a proper Iasa to me – he made it no secret that he'd wanted a son in my place – he was uncaring and cold whenever my Mali wasn't around. Without her, I was left completely alone. She was the only person in this world that loved me."