Page 100 of Grulen

“There’s nothing I can say or do to change your mind and give us a chance?”

“No.”

“You were a child.”

He shook his head.She inhaled a shuddering breath.

“I think you’re making a mistake.I guess I made one as well.I trusted you not to hurt me.”She walked out of the room.

Crek.

Chapter 28

Eyeswatering,Morgancomm’dMakai to tell him she wanted to move to the palace.Her instincts screamed she should yell and throw things.Instead, she mindlessly packed her belongings, most of which were still in her original room.I’m not going into his bedroom to collect anything from the refresher.He can throw it all away.

Taking a last look at the room, she realized they never made love in here.No, not making love.We fucked, nothing more.If we’d made love, he wouldn’t be able to let me go so easily.

At least on Delizas I expected hurt and pain from males.Maybe Grulen has it right.If I never risked acting on my feeling for him despite my past, I wouldn’t be feeling my own grief now.

Her anger tasted bitter.She swallowed the lump in her throat.This isn’t the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.I will survive.

Makai comm’d and told her to meet Kragen outside and he would escort her to the palace.She picked up her bag and descended the stairs slowly.She didn’t see Grulen in the living area, so she left through the front door.No need to say goodbye.

Kragen waited by a small flitter.He opened the door for her.Neither of them spoke.Makai met them when they arrived at the palace.

“Morgan,” Kragen said softly as he helped her out of the flitter.“I don’t know what happened, but I do know he is a fool.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.“I appreciate your kind words.”

He nodded.She didn’t hear the flitter leave until she and Makai entered the palace.

“Did he hurt you?”

“Not physically.”Her lips trembled.“I’m not ready to talk about it.However, his memories are now intact.”

“If you need anything, just ask.”He eventually stopped in front of a door.“These are your quarters.I’m there.”He pointed to the door on one side, then a door across the hall.“Tren’s there.All the couples are on the other end of the hall.”

“Thanks.”She opened the door and realized she had a suite of rooms.Dropping her bag, she wrapped her arms around her waist.

Makai dropped a beefy hand onto her shoulder.

“Do I need to beat him?”

She gave a teary laugh and shook her head.

“The irony is his reasons have nothing to do with me specifically.”

He tugged her closer and hugged her.Her tears flowed freely.

“You’re strong.You’ll get through this and be stronger still.We’re here for you when you want to talk.”

She pulled back and tipped her head to face him.

“I should tell you I don’t think I’ll be staying with theFortitude.”

“Even before the Svesti showed up, I guessed you’d leave us sooner rather than later.You are meant to take a different path.”He bopped her nose with a finger.“That doesn’t mean we don’t care about you.”

“You are a good male.We’re all lucky to have you in our corner.”

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