Page 83 of The Stone Secret
The pit in my belly got wider. “You’re…you’re leaving again?” Why did I have to sound so lost and forlorn?
Don’t cry. Don’t you dare fucking cry.
Serath’s gaze dipped to meet mine and softened, his mouth parting on a sigh. “Cameron…” His hand drifted up, as if he wanted to touch me, but he curled his fingers against his palm and slowly lowered it.
I blinked back tears. “Serath…please…”
His throat bobbed. “Don’t make this any harder, Cameron. Please.”
And then it hit me, the truth of this whole fucked-up situation. He wasn’t fucking this other woman because he needed release. He was trying to make me hate him, to build resentment and dislike to protect me and build a distance between us because look at me, leaning in toward him, body all soft and pliant, eager for his touch.
I was a moth to his flame. But if I could stop. Control it… “You don’t have to do this, Serath. I understand, and I’ll do my part and stay away.”
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, all softness was gone. “This isn’t just about you or the mate bond. Jana and I have history. Feelings. Long before you came. I can have a future with her.”
He might as well have gut punched me. “Oh.”
Oh? Oh? Was that it? Come on, Cam, think of something cutting and snarky to say. But my mind was blank, too focused on rapidly healing my wounded heart.
“Good luck with the training exercise tomorrow, Cameron. I’ll see you at supper.”
I didn’t try to stop him from walking away.
I was done being that woman.
It was time to move on and find my future.
CHAPTER33
Prasan popped a plate of carbonara in front of me. “My speciality. You’ll love it.”
I’d usually be all over the delicious dish, but my appetite was gone and my mind and body too focused on Serath sitting on the other end of the table. I couldn’t see him, thank goodness, but his scent was in my head.
Was I in his head too?
Probably. Hence the issue.
This thing between us was getting stronger, and being apart for two weeks only seemed to have made me more acutely aware of his presence.
Selas passed me some garlic bread, but I shook my head. I’d have enough trouble with what was already on my plate.
Willowman entered, bringing the aroma of fresh air with him, and took his favorite spot opposite me. “Prasan’s carbonara. Cameron, you’re in for a treat.” He rubbed his hands together. “I love this dish.”
“There’s plenty more where that came from,” Prasan said.
“Mind if I take some for Varsa?”
“Of course not. I’ll pack you some.”
“How is Varsa?” I twirled some linguini on my fork. “Looking forward to our next herbology lesson?” We’d been working on healing and rejuvenation tinctures the past couple of weeks—the basic pick-me-ups to use on wounded guardians to speed up healing and get them on their feet faster.
Willowman swallowed a mouthful of pasta and shrugged. “I don’t know. He doesn’t speak to me. Only you.”
“Oh?” Serath leaned forward slightly so I caught the tip of his profile. The straight nose and strong chin. “He’s completely non-verbal when Cameron isn’t there?”
Willowman nodded. “It’s the darndest thing. I can’t explain it. He seems almost coherent when she’s around.”
Varsa was fast becoming a friend. “I like spending time with him. He knows so many interesting facts.”
