13
Simeth
Mara was eating at my mind like a festering wound. Within mere hours of her leaving, I felt like I was falling apart. What was so weird was I’d survived so many long years with only the company of my brothers and cousins, but that wasn’t good enough anymore.
I missed her.
It took me a moment to really realize what it was and then hours to decide what to do about the situation.
I loved her.
From the first moment I saw her way up in the air with her paintbrush in hand.
She was such a smart and funny woman; I didn’t want to see my life without her.
I loved her in a deep and wonderful way, and it had taken losing her to realize it. I didn’t care if we never had children together, hell, we could run away for all I cared. I just wanted my life to be shared with her.
I needed her to know how much I cared.
Giving in to my emotions, I called an emergency meeting of all the princes.
* * *
I’d never been insideof Mara’s apartment. Standing outside, it seemed large enough until I realized that only half of the building was actually Mara and her grandmother’s space. How they managed to make it work in such a small area was beyond me.
I straightened out my clothes, I knocked and tried not to frown when someone walked to the door but did not open it.
“Mara?” I called out to the door and waited for an answer.
Nothing.
“It’s me, I have an idea that could help your grandmother. Also,” I punched down my pride, “Mara, I’m in love with you and I’m going crazy trying to picture my life without you. Please, please give me a second chance. I love you and I won’t leave until I make sure you know that.”
There was some motion on the other side of the door.
“I love you, Mara,” I said it again.
I could say it a hundred times.
“We don’t need children. I don’t have to live at my place. Just please … stay with me.”
I heard the door slowly begin to unlock. A small crack appeared, and Mara’s tired eyes stared out at me.
“Do you really mean that?” she asked sheepishly.
“Yes, of course I mean that,” I doubled down. “I love you.”
There was a high blush on her cheekbones, and I couldn’t help but enjoy how beautiful it was on her.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked with a sniff.
“I honestly didn’t realize until the moment you walked out the door,” I admitted. “We can elope, or I could move into Ember Abyss and get a job if you want—I don’t care what it is. I can’t be without you, especially not over this.”
She was quiet for a moment, and it felt like death.
“I love you too,” she said softly.
My chest ached from how good those words felt.