Drei woke me before we left, leading
me back through the trees to where the rest were just beginning to stir. I felt
guilty; I hadn’t meant to sleep up there. Then again, it hadn’t really been my
choice, either.
Valetta and I spoke again that night.
She didn’t ask what Drei and I had discussed; she knew already—or at least,
that was impression I received from her. I was glad our relationship hadn’t
been ruined, and chided myself for not asking about the moon and
promises—specifically, Drei’s promise.
A few days later, as the camp tumbled
into dreamland, Valetta asked, “Why do you deny yourself?”
I was more than slightly confused,
unsure what I had been denying myself. From my standpoint, I had been rather greedy,
considering for what I was responsible. “What do you mean?”
“Drei,” she said simply; the word was
heavy and her voice was laced with anguish. I hated it was evident enough even
she knew. It shouldn’t have been; I should have been able to hide it better.
“He has you,” I said, shrugging,
vainly hoping she’d let the topic go.
Valetta laughed, a surprisingly
flighty sound. “He has not wanted me for a long time.”
My mouth fell open at this news and I
was utterly lost for understanding. “But you know each other so well, and do
everything together. You’re his right hand, always catching what he misses. You
two—”
“—have never been together,” she
insisted quietly; though her voice revealed how hurtful this truth was, I couldn’t
believe it. Not after having convinced myself so thoroughly they were perfect
for each other; they deserved each other.
“That’s not—not—” I floundered,
unsure how to finish, or even really begin.
“He wanted me with him when he began
this project, but we have never been together—not for lack of trying on my part,
either. I love Drei,” she confessed solemnly, her dark eyes boring into mine. “Drei
has never loved me; he has been holding out for someone else. Someone more akin
to him, or possibly less. He has never told me.”
“What about our friendship?” I asked,
worried. Her companionship meant so much to me. Just because she deemed it okay
didn’t mean she’d still talk to me afterwards. I’d seen enough friendships ruined
over relationships in high school to last me.
“Abriel,” she said sternly. “He loves
you, and it seems you are the sole person yet to notice it.” Tears welled in
her dark eyes; she closed them, inhaling to collect herself. “Our friendship
will persevere. But you are an air elemental…who knows how long you will have
with him.”
“But—”
“If I have to say it once more, and
end up in a mess of tears, you will see our friendship jeopardized.”
“How do I approach him?”
She shook her head, a tear falling onto
her pale hand. “You will know,” she softly said. “It is part of who you are to
know when the time is right…and everything should be natural. If it does not
come naturally to you…maybe he was wrong about you after all.”
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