I am not trying to throw salt on an open wound . . . it's just with the book coming out and this song coming on the radio today . . . it just fits. On my bad days, I swear I will never read this series again.
***You get the best feels if you YouTube the song Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera and read at the same time.
Say Something
Zachary backed out of the room slowly, his eyes still on her pale face. The scroll was held loosely in her hands, her attention riveted on the likeness sketched in the middle.
She didn't acknowledge him as he left. Why could she not say something more?
He closed the door firmly behind him and stood there, his hand still on the handle. The only Weapon present, Fastion, stood quietly nearby and kept watch down the unoccupied hall.
Zachary shifted his body and braced his back against the nearby wall, closing his eyes as an invisible vise squeezed the space in his chest.
He could not continue like this anymore.
It was painful, gods yes, but he had others to think of, if nothing else. He fleetingly remembered his conversation with Laren, when she had delivered Karigan's letter. He had lamented that he had failed Karigan, failed to protect her.
Perhaps in more ways than one. He had failed to reach her, to convince her and so many others that they could have made it work.
Insurmountable odds? He inwardly scoffed. Nothing worth having was ever easy to obtain.
He knew the wonders that willpower could invoke, and that the only people truly standing in their way had been themselves. Karigan had always underestimated her worth. Had she not proven herself time and again to the kingdom?
As for himself . . . Zachary turned his head to the side and stared at light streaming through the corridor window. There was plenty of error to be found on his part. And he would be paying for it, for the rest of his life.
Zachary clenched his teeth and resisted the urge to scream in the open hallway. He should have fought for her, should not have been such an unmitigated ass that night on the astronomy tower . . .
Fastion gently touched the king's shoulder, jerking him into awareness. The Weapon said nothing, only inclined his head back towards the upper reaches of the castle. Zachary sighed and nodded reluctantly, pushing off the wall and following Fastion.
Estora knew where he was, but had said nothing, only offering a small smile as he had departed their chambers.
Perhaps the only good that would come out of this situation was the children. He could not give his love to their mother, but maybe at least, a mutual respect and friendship could exist between the royal couple.
Zachary knew it would be a rocky path, but for now, it was all he could manage.
Carry on fanfiction writers. It is a rocky path but we must go on.
