Chapter 37

Raylon

The relief I felt inside was immeasurable. Laylar would live. Not only that, but the Original Death would not take another soul.

In saving the princess’s life, Connie and her friends saved not only the king, but the kingdom.

I had no doubt that if my brother lost his children, he would lose his mind and no longer want to live.

But even with all the joy I felt inside, a feeling of loneliness filled me. ~Connie is going home. I cannot stop her. She has her own family, and her own life to return to.~

My thoughts caused a lump to form in my throat. I shook it off and turned back to Laylar on the bed.

Her skin held the same soft pink color it always did, and her eyes were filled with life again.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand into mine.

She gave it a soft squeeze and I met her eyes. “Uncle, why are you so sad?”

I shook my head. “I am not sad, child. I am relieved and so happy that you will be all right.”

“Don’t lie to me, Uncle. I can see it in your eyes. What is it?”

I looked behind me at Connie as my brother embraced her. I turned back to Laylar, saying, “Connie is going home.”

“Why? She belongs here, with you.”

“She belongs wherever her heart is. She has a family back home, and I cannot ask her to leave them behind. Just as I would never leave you.”

“But Uncle—”

“Rest now, Laylar. We can speak of this another time,” I said and leaned down to give her a kiss on the head.

I stood and made my way out of the room. My mind was racing, trying to find anything that would make Connie stay, even just for a little while longer.

I heard the door open, and the tall frame of one of the Fuls came out. Gliding smoothly, he approached me, and I turned to look at him.

“Lord Raylon, forgive my intrusion, but I noticed you are not as happy with the child’s recovery as the others. Have we done something to upset you?”

I let out a long breath. “No…no you have not. Thank you for saving her. Truly.”

The Ful pressed, “May I ask what has you so upset.”

I bit back my words, not wanting to start an argument with this being. I let out a long sigh and said, “I have personal reasons. Nothing you should—”

“Is it because Connie must return home?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “My personal life is of no concern to you.”

“Forgive me, Lord Raylon, but it is. We could not have calculated the outcome of you and Connie meeting. Nor could we have extrapolated that she would want to go home now.

“When we took her from her world, we were sure she had no family. We did not know that she simply kept her distance from them.”

“It doesn’t matter now. She has made her choice, and there is nothing I can do to change it. If she wanted to be with me, she would stay.

“I am accustomed to being alone, so in truth my life has not changed much.”

My own words made me cringe. It was true that I knew how to be alone, but to say that my life would not change was a lie.

“It had already changed, and the more I thought about Connie leaving, the more it hurt.

I couldn’t even face her to say goodbye. If I did, I wouldn’t let her go.

“Please tell Connie I wish her the happiest of life back on her home,” I said. “Tell her she is welcome here any time. And tell her that I am sorry that I cannot see her off.”

I turned away from the tall being and made my way to my private quarters.

I shut the door behind me and shut my eyes. My heart felt like it would crumble and fall apart.

~You need to find something to distract you. Something to take your mind off this pain. Go to Parna, be alone until you are calm. It’s the best thing for everyone.~

I spun around and flung open the door. My boots sounded loud as they echoed on the walls of the halls as I made my way to my shuttle.

I got in, and before the door was shut, I lifted off into the air. On my display I saw a small blinking light flick on. I recognized the signature of Billy and Bob’s ship.

I watched it move out of the atmosphere, and once it was in space, it blinked a few times, then disappeared out of the borders of the kingdom.

I felt anger at myself. I pushed my shuttle to Parna as hard as it would go.

~You are such a fool!~ I shouted at myself in my head. ~Why did you let her go? You should have fought harder for her. Found a way to make her stay! ~

~The only thing you deserve now is to be alone for the rest of your life!~