Chapter 124: The Goodbye
"You have Galen. He was raised here. You have Theron. He knows politics. And they have the loyalty of the people. They’re both still here." Lucien said.
"That’s not the same."
"It should be."
"It isn’t."
Lucien’s expression hardened slightly. "You’ll manage."
She shook her head. "You’re acting as if you don’t matter here."
He gave a short, humorless laugh. "I don’t."
"That’s not true."
"Isn’t it?" he asked. "No one fully trusts me. I’m tolerated. Not relied on."
Her brows drew together. "That’s not fair."
"It’s accurate. And it’s not like anyone in this place trusts me enough to give me anything real to do anyway. I’m just here."
"That’s not true."
"You know it is."
"I don’t know any such things. You’re my mate. That means something. It means everything."
"Does it?" His tone sharpened. "Does the king trust me? Would the council entrust me with command if I choose to fight a wanderer’s cell? Would they give me control over a battalion as they would do to Galen? Would they share every secret plan like I am Theron?"
She didn’t answer immediately.
"That’s what I thought," he said.
Aveloria’s expression flashed with frustration and hurt. "My father? The council? They’re cautious because of the times we’re in. Not because of you." She argued.
"That’s what you tell yourself."
She frowned. "You’re twisting things."
"I’m stating facts."
They stood in silence for a moment, both breathing harder than before.
"Are you afraid of everything happening? Or that I like one person more than another?" she asked quietly.
"No."
"Then why run?"
"I’m not running."
"You are leaving when things are uncertain."
"I’m leaving because this place feels like a cage."
She stared at him. "This is my home."
"I know."
"And you call it a cage."
"For me," he corrected.
"Lucien, you can’t just leave," she said.
"I can. I am."
"And what about Marek? He hasn’t been found. He’s still out there. And we promised to stick together. To stay united. If you leave, if you are not here, the wanderers have an advantage. You know that. They will use it against us."
"That’s not my problem."
"It’s your problem. It’s everyone’s problem. You can’t just run away from your responsibilities like you are a coward!" She snapped at him.
Lucien felt his own temper rise. "I didn’t ask for these responsibilities. I didn’t ask to be your mate. I didn’t ask to be part of your war."
Aveloria seethed her teeth in anger. "You don’t get to choose. This is bigger than what you want. You’re part of this now, whether you like it or not."
"I’m not part of anything. I am an adventurer. I go where I want, when I want. And that’s what I’m doing."
Her eyes glistened slightly, but she kept her voice steady. "And I am your mate and future Queen!" Her voice rose this time. "And I am ordering you to stay within these palace walls."
The words came out sharper than she intended. Lucien stared at her. A beat of silence passed. Then he spoke, his voice flat.
"I am a rogue. I don’t take orders from the likes of you."
The words hit her like a slap. He saw it in the way her face crumpled, just for a second before she pulled it back under control.
Aveloria blinked, realizing what she had just said. "I’m sorry," she said quickly. "I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t mean to order you. I’m just—I’m worried. I’m scared. Marek is gone, and if you go too, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know what we’ll do. The wanderers are out there, getting stronger each passing day, and I need you here. I need you." Her voice broke on the last words. Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
Lucien looked at her. She was beautiful, even now with her eyes wet and voice shaking. He felt something twist in his chest, but he didn’t move toward her.
He took a breath. "I have to go."
"But why? You haven’t said anything good enough for leaving."
"I need space. I need movement. I need to remember who I am outside these walls."
"And who are you?" she asked. "Then explain it to me."
He didn’t have an answer that would satisfy her. He wasn’t sure he had an answer that would satisfy himself either. He just knew he couldn’t stay. He had a job and responsibilities to fulfil before he met her. Maybe he was wrong not to consider her. Maybe he had rushed things with her too early. Maybe he shouldn’t have assured her that he would be here—too many maybes.
"I have to go." He repeated.
Aveloria wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath and spoke again. "Can you just think about it? Stay for a few more weeks. Just give it some time."
"No."
"Lucien—"
"I said no."
"Fine." She paused, seeing that it was obvious he already made up his mind. "When will you be back?"
"That’s not certain." He answered.
"That’s not the kind of answer I want, Lucien."
"It’s the only one I have."
She fell silent immediately. Her shoulders dropped slightly, the fight going out of her. She stood there, looking at him, and he could see her trying to find the right words, the ones that would change his mind. But he knew she wouldn’t win against him
"When are you leaving?" she asked.
"Tonight."
Her eyes widened slightly. "That soon?"
"Yes."
She stared at him, disappointed. "Alright."
Lucien nodded. "Goodbye, Heiress." Then he turned and walked to the door.
"Lucien." She called out to him.
He stopped with his hand on the handle. He didn’t turn around.
"If you go, don’t expect me to wait. Be safe." She said, her voice quiet.
He opened the door and walked out.
Lucien walked without looking back. As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with someone coming the other way.
Theron stepped back quickly to avoid the collision. He looked at Lucien, then past him, down the hall towards Aveloria’s chambers. "Lucien. I was coming to see Aveloria. Is she—" He paused to study Lucien’s face and noticed the deep frown. "Is everything alright?" He asked.
Lucien didn’t answer. He moved to the side around Theron to leave. But Theron put out a hand to stop him and to get his attention. "Wait. I also wanted to talk to you about a plan. Galen and I were discussing visiting some allies—"
Lucien brushed past him, and he kept walking.
"Lucien! Lucien!" Theron’s voice followed him down the hall.
When he got no response, Theron turned and headed towards Aveloria’s chambers.
Aveloria sat at the vanity with her face buried in her palms. Her shoulders shook slightly with each breath. She did not hear the door open. She did not hear the footsteps enter the room.
Theron stopped a few feet inside the doorway. He was concerned and needed to ask if everything was alright after seeing Lucien storm off. But when he saw the way her back curved forward, the way her hands covered her face, he knew something must have happened between them.
"Aveloria?" He called out in a soft tone.
She didn’t look up at first, only gave a small, miserable shake of her head.
"I just saw Lucien—" His words cut short when she lifted her head. Her eyes were red. Her cheeks were wet. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself.
Theron crossed the room in a few long strides and stopped just in front of her. He didn’t touch her; he just knelt beside the vanity chair, his face tight with concern.
