Page 80 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

“Shhh.”

He stroked my hair, rocking me as he tried to quiet me.

The storm of tears continued on and on until I thought I would never be able to stop crying.

Finally, I had nothing left. My body lay limp against his, my breath coming in little, weak gasps, and my heart was broken beyond repair.

Dax laid down, taking me with him, so that my head was cradled on his shoulder, and he had both arms around me.

“Rest, Allison,” he said. “Just rest.”

My body gave me no choice but to obey him.

ChapterEighteen

The next morning, I woke in the bed alone. Again.

I supposed I should get used to it because that would be my future now. Going to bed and waking up alone.

I didn’t bother with my clothes, only pulling on the sweatshirt that I’d left on the floor the night before.

When I crept downstairs, I found Dax standing in the kitchen, the blinds above the sink open so that he could look outside. He had a cup of coffee in his hand, but it was no longer steaming.

His head turned toward me when I stopped at the bar. His expression was shuttered, and his body was tense.

I didn’t wait for him to speak, for him to try and smooth over the awkwardness. I jumped straight in.

I was right yesterday when I decided to give myself some time. I did know what to do this morning.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

“I understand now, Dax,” I began.

His hand lowered the cup to counter, moving slowly, but he didn’t speak.

“You’re right. I do want more than friendship from you.” I rubbed my chest with one hand, trying to soothe the ache in my heart. “But I also know that you won’t give me that. Maybe you can’t.”

I took a deep breath, but he remained silent, so I continued.

“I can’t force you to open your heart to me and I deserve more than whatever scraps of affection or attention you can give me. You do, too, but I can’t control your choices. Only my own.”

One more deep breath and I finished it.

“So, you’re right. This can’t continue. It will only hurt both of us in the long run, you because you won’t be able to let go of your guilt and me because I will be settling for less than I deserve.”

He remained perfectly still when I walked toward him. I rose up on my toes and pressed my lips to the underside of his jaw. It was all I could reach of him because he didn’t bend down for me as he usually did.

“Still, I don’t regret my time with you here or what we did together. No matter what you believe, I don’t think it was a mistake.”

I dropped back down to my feet.

“I’m going to shower and then I want you to take me to Minerva’s. I think I know what I need to do to wake Talant.”

That was a lie, but I knew I couldn’t stay here with him any longer. I had to move on…starting today.

Dax was still silent when I walked away, but I forced myself to keep going. It was better to end this now, clean and simple.

My head was surprisingly clear as I showered and dressed. I would probably be a mess once I was in the safety of Minerva’s house, but, right now, I felt like my decision was the right one.

---