Leilani.
I couldn't sleep.
For a long time, I couldn't shake out the image in my head, one of Caelum as I watched him walk away from me, leaving streaks of red behind in his wake.
My heart still raced at the memory and like a high schooler, I couldn't help the stupid blush staining my cheeks or the way my heart kept palpitating in my chest like it was some wild animal.
For the nth time tonight, I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to sleep but as soon as my eyelids fluttered close, several memories rushed in.
One was of Zevran telling me that he wouldn't let me go.
The other was of Kael when he brushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. I could still remember the tenderness in his touch when he did that…
Then there was Caelum literally hurting himself just to save me— and this is not the first time.
"How much longer do I have to pretend like I do not see them?" I hissed, "how much longer will I act like I am not affected by their gestures?"
