Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Arenk

~Don’t leave me here. Please.~

Those words echoed in his mind, heavy and haunting. The image of Raven’s shocked, tear-streaked face as they left her behind was etched into his memory. But what else could he have done? He couldn’t risk it. It was a gamble he wasn’t ready to take.

Maybe General Dhol understood that too. Laro angrily closed the drawer, stuffing half of Raven’s remaining clothes into a bag.

“Next time you make a decision about her, talk to us first before you go making deals,” Laro said.

“You both are too emotional. It wouldn’t have ended well.”

“Now you’re a fortune teller? What do you see? Because I see her running away at the first chance she gets. She’ll think we never cared about her.”

Laro took a deep breath. “I’ll pick her up later in the week and take her to Dhol. You can have her at the beginning of the week. Are you still coming with me to talk to Lyka this afternoon?”

He nodded. Laro was being unusually straightforward about this. The only other times he was like this was when it involved money or his status.

“I’m ending things with Lyka, but I doubt she’ll care. What about you? Planning on breaking more hearts?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll figure it out when we get there,” Arenk said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I can make it easier for you. Keep Lyka; leave Raven to Dhol and me. At least we know what we want,” Laro said, shutting the door behind him.

***

The day was too bright for how he felt. He wondered how Raven was doing. Did she hate him? Did she understand why he did what he did? He thought the walk would clear his mind, but it only made things worse.

Lyka was amazing, but the truth was they could never be what he wanted, what she wanted. The law was the law, and no amount of wishing could change that.

Raven, on the other hand, had surprised him from day one. He admired her adaptability and her bold, playful spirit.

When he arrived at the restaurant, Laro and Lyka were waiting outside. As usual, they ignored each other. Laro was busy with his device, and Lyka was watching the people passing by.

Lyka’s long, straight brown hair reached her mid-back, and her icy blue eyes were captivating. She was a beautiful woman—strong, intelligent, and confident.

“Do we have a table yet?” Arenk asked.

Lyka stood up, graceful and unhurried. She was always happy to see him, even when she was mad at him. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I asked for one on the patio. It’s a nice day. Unless you’d rather sit inside.”

Her voice was softer than usual, and her words were more careful. But she looked him in the eyes, as if she was searching for something.

“The patio is fine.”

Once they were seated and had ordered their food and drinks, an uncomfortable silence fell over them. Or maybe the worst part was that he still didn’t know what to do.

Laro, never one to waste time unless it was for his own amusement, cleared his throat.

“Lyka, these past few years have been fun, but I’m taking you off my list. Things have changed for me. I hope you understand,” Laro said.

Her face gave nothing away.

“Thank you for being straightforward. If things change again in the future, I hope you’ll consider me as you have in the past.”

That was the Lyka he knew.

Laro nodded and pulled out his device. “Excuse me, I have to go to the office. It’s urgent.”

~Bullshit~. Only General Dhol or he could call Laro or anyone on his floor for work. He doubted the general was worried about work this weekend. Laro gave him a look before he left.

After Laro’s cruiser disappeared down the road, Lyka took a bite of her food, savoring it slowly. She was precise in every movement. She swallowed and licked the juice from her lips.

Arenk swallowed hard.

“About this week—” Arenk started.

“Things are bound to get busy and complicated with your job.”

“Things do, but I—” Lyka’s hand found its way to his thigh. He was in trouble. Her hesitation was gone. She had that same determined, fiery look that had drawn him to her at the solstice party years ago.

Her touch was comforting in a way he would never admit. In her eyes, Arenk could do no wrong. He was her world. She had told him how his touch felt on her skin.

Every shiver, every moan he drew from her was his alone. No one else could make her feel the way he did.

Every night he held her in his arms, she came, and it was only for him.

“No need to explain. Your work is important. I can cancel some appointments. I even got some of that drink you like; I can bring it over. Tonight, if you want?”

Arenk took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. His thoughts drifted back to Raven. What would she say? Would she be okay with this?

If they talked about it, would she understand? Was it wrong that he wanted them both?

After a moment, he took Lyka’s other hand and squeezed it.

“Lyka, I need to tell you—”

Her eyes softened, and she bit her lower lip. Her breathing quickened. She looked at him expectantly, showing him the softer side of her that was impossible to ignore.

“Yes.”