“They only see what’s missing,” he said at last. “But I hoped that you saw what still remained.”
Life had taught her how to hide her feelings. She used every brutal lesson now to forcing her own face into a hard, unyielding mask.
“It isn’t enough,” she said.
She’d seen him bloody and staggering, light running from his wounded horn. She’d seen him curled over, trying to shut out the world. She’d seen his unicorn die behind his eyes.
None of them compared to the look on his face now.
“I can’t be with you any more,” she said, which was true. A monster like her didn’t deserve a man like him. “You have to set me free.”
Hugh’s face went slack for a second—but then his eyes focused again. It was the first time since he’d lost his unicorn that she’d seen him pull himself out of that strange, blank state. He clenched one fist, fingernails digging into his palm as though he was trying to physically hold onto the present moment.
“But we’re mates,” he said. “Nothing can change that.”
“Ash can. He told me he can burn away the connection between us. You won’t even remember it ever existed.”
“You want that?” he whispered, barely audible.
“Yes,” she said, even as her wyvern howled no, no! “Promise me you’ll let Ash do it, Hugh.”
Slowly, his head bowed. He didn’t say yes…but he didn’t say no, either.
“I’m going now.” She had to leave, right now, or else she would crack and undo everything. “Please, let Ash help you. Don’t suffer pointlessly.”
He spoke just as she was stepping out the door. “Where are you going?”
“To the only person who can help me.” She kept her back to him, so that he couldn’t see the betraying tears streaking her face. “Goodbye, Hugh.”
Chapter 28
He’d zoned out. At the worst possible time, right when he should have been chasing Ivy and begging—no, demanding—that she stay. He should have run after her, grabbed her in the corridor, shown her that she was worrying about nothing.
But instead, he’d been frozen, not even aware of time passing. Turned inward, listening futilely. Waiting for his unicorn to guide him. Waiting to be told how he could win back his mate.
When he’d finally resurfaced from the void within, he was alone. Ivy was long gone.
He could only pray that it wasn’t already too late.
He lengthened his stride, barging past other pedestrians regardless of their startled glares and muttered comments. He didn’t need to look down to know exactly where to put his feet. He’d run down this road many times, heart laboring in his chest, knowing that a few seconds delay could mean the difference between life or death.
This time, howeve
r, it wasn’t a patient’s life that hung in the balance.
The imposing bulk of the fire station dominated the corner of the intersection. The old brick building loomed three floors high, above the massive red-doored bays that held the fire engines and other appliances.
Please let them be out on call, please let them not be here!
But all the fire engines were slumbering peacefully behind their red doors. Evidently no emergencies were in progress at the moment. The on-duty shift would all be at the station.
Hugh didn’t waste time on a useless curse. Instead, he ran full-tilt through the staff entrance.
“Hugh!” Chase’s eyes widened at his abrupt appearance. From the greasy rag in the pegasus shifter’s oil-stained hands, he’d been cleaning his beloved fire engine. “Speak of the devil. What are you—“
“Where’s Ash?” Hugh interrupted, panting.
“Upstairs. But, listen, I need to—hey!”