Chapter 220: Mending Hearts
Down the hill in the small space between the boulders and makeshift shelter, Ger lay there in a numbed state, staring into the blue flames while Axel watched him with concern. They were meant to be sleeping, but with Evanna and Arawn gone, Ger’s mind raced. He didn’t have a say in what the princess did, and they were ’polite’ enough to rub their romance in his face.
But it still stung. Ger kissed Evanna, and for what? Was he really expecting the princess to have a change of heart? He was too late. Before speaking to Nesrin, he didn’t think he had a chance with her.
Ger brought his family’s title back with the blood of beasts and monsters, sometimes even of men. Yes, he was of nobility, but for most of his life, he had been a peasant, a servant, and an oddity to being the princess’ friend. As the years went on, their friendship started to burn into something more, only a little one-sided. He wasn’t fooled into thinking Evanna hadn’t seen more in him than a friend, but she also didn’t take a step towards him as he did not her.
He wasn’t blind to see how comfortable Evanna was around him, sleeping next to him, hugging him, sharing secrets and thoughts others dare not know. This quest revealed how Ger’s presence had affected Evanna; her body revealed it until they were ripped apart, and she was with the elven prince. Since reuniting with Evanna, his heart had been crushed, the pieces dropping and swept away by a broom and swiftly discarded in a bin.
The moment Ger saw Evanna smile and look at Arawn in such adoration, he knew it was over. But he didn’t want to believe it. Not until he saw them together in the morning.
Ger looked up after being struck by a stone. "Get some rest," Axel ordered quietly, his eyes flicking to the others, checking his deep voice didn’t wake them. "You can mope on the walk. Not now, when you need sleep the most."
"So much wiser than us all," Ger grumbled. "I won’t be moping."
"You’re moping now."
"When’s Roach coming back? Maybe I should-"