Author's note: This might not be liked because of Ilyana's rash behavior. So don't read if you dislike angst and emotional girls.
Hurt Lingers
The wind blew Ilyana's hair and wiped the tears off her face.
"I'm sorry I led you to believe something else, but I love her. I can't love another."
It hurt Ilyana so much holding back the tears. Her eyes burned, but her heart grew cold.
"I actually had hope when we met again, but now all I can think to say is that I wish I had never met you." Zihark flinched at hearing this. "Nothing hurts worse than loving someone and not being loved back."
"I don't know what to say. I feel like I've known you forever and you will always be a part of me….but not in that way."
Zihark reached for Ilyana but she turned her shoulder away. "No!" Ilyana couldn't hold it in any longer. She dropped to her knees, she felt so weak in his eyes. "Then why did you string me along, making me think I had a chance? The subtle flirting, the gentle touches? That wasn't anything to you? It was everything to me!"
Zihark looked away, now feeling ashamed more than anything.
"No. I have never felt anything for you."
Ilyana was hysterical now. "Why! She doesn't love you! She wouldn't have told you to leave if she did!"
Zihark didn't answer.
Ilyana grabbed Zihark's sword. "If you don't love me then I might as well die, because I can't live without you."
"Stop this madness! This isn't the Ilyana I know. She wouldn't do this!"
"Only you can stop this. Love me or kill me. This life isn't worth it if I'm not with you."
Zihark moved closer to her.
"Fine."
He took the sword from Ilyana and grasped her close and kissed her gently. Once the kiss ended he whispered softly into her ear.
"I'm sorry."
He punched her stomach to knock her out. As he held her unconscious body, it was his turn to cry.
Ilyana woke up in a tent the next morning. She knew what was coming when she saw the letter beside her. She opened it up and read it aloud.
"Ilyana,
I am truly sorry for what I have done to you. The truth is I am in love with her. I have always been and will always be until I die. When she told me to leave it broke me. I devoted myself to making a world where we could be together. I met you while trying to fulfill that dream. I lied to you last night when I said I didn't feel anything for you. I instantly felt a connection with you. Your smile, your laugh, your appetite. You are fun to be around and I would've laughed with you forever. It would have been easy to be with you, but love is hard. I would've been thinking about her whenever I made love to you. She would always be in the back of my mind and that wouldn't be fair to you. I would always be in love with two women. I know I hurt you, but it would hurt even more if I couln't love you fully, rather than to not love you at all. I know I made the right decision, for both of us. Please don't do anything to yourself because of me. You will find someone else and you will be much happier. I will never forget you. Remember that.
Zihark."
Ilyana finished reading and folded the note. It would take some time and she knew the hurt would linger in her heart, but the letter gave her hope. Maybe she does have the strength to move on. Only time would tell.
Just as she got out of bed Daniel came into the tent. "Hey Ilyana, the gang is ready to head out. Are you almost ready?"
Ilyana smiled. "Yeah, I think I am."
