Page 19 of Entwined

CHRISTOS

HER FACE HAS BEEN EVERYWHERE. It’s been heralded as a miracle—a feel good news story travelling around the world at a time when good news is rare. I pick up the morning paper with one hand, while sipping my black coffee.

She did it.

I knew she would.

Her story made international news. The American girl who was thought to be lost at sea was found months later living in a remote village in Greece. She fell overboard, but somehow survived, being picked up by fisherman.

She didn’t know her name. Hit her head on a buoy when rescued. Had temporary memory loss. I’ll hand it to Andre. Thatmalakaalways comes to her rescue. He’s making quite a name for himself as a newcomer in the black market. Dimitri trained him well.

Was nursed back to health and recently reunited with her overjoyed parents. My finger traces her face. Even printed in black and white her radiance shines through.

My love.

My golden one.

I set her free and now I’m the one alone, locked inside my own cage of heartache and grief.

Not a second goes by in which I don’t miss her. The arrow that pierced my heart hurts with every breath I take.

But I couldn’t keep her anymore.

Not like I did.

She was always meant to fly. I just hope when she’s done circling the world, she flies home to me.

My abs tighten. What the fuck did I do? What if she doesn’t return to me but finds someone else?

I should go to her.

Explain.

My fists clench, pounding the table. Coffee sloshes over, staining the linen cloth.

“Sir?”

I wave my hand dismissing the waiter. I knew she tried to find me. I have eyes everywhere.

But my family estate bordering the Royal Forests is not a place I can ever live again. Not without her, anyway. My eyes finally lift from the paper to scan the view of the city below. I stare out into the horizon, knowing she’s on the other side of the world. There’s an ocean between us now. But I still feel her with every beat of my heart.

I let her go.

I planned it.

Down to the very moment, I'd walk, leaving her body still warm from my touch.

When she awoke, my side of the bed was cold even though she set my heart on fire.

I talked myself out of letting her fly a thousand times.

But I'm not a man worthy of her pure love.

Not yet anyway.

I'll watch her soar from afar, cheering her on as she sets the world on fire the same way she did my heart.

“Sir?”

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