THE RIVAL
I
pause. I smile and I feel like a demon, consumed with dark thoughts.
I could, if I wanted to, snap the bones of his delicate neck and let
him fall. My fists could break his jaw and bloody his mouth.
And
a part of me wishes I would.
Then
he could not speak. Then he could not lower to his knee. Then he
could not take her away from me.
But
I pause. I smile and I feel my heart shatter. The pieces collect in
the pit of my stomach. I leave them there, dragging a blank look to
my features. I could, if I had to, let her go with him.
Let
her take his hand and take his kisses and take his way of life. I
could... if I must, if it's what she wants, if that is her dream, if
that is her wish, if he is her everything... I could.
And
I pause. I smile and I feel nothing, just the cold realization that
we are rivals, he and I.
I
could fight for her and I would win. I could be the victor. I could
keep the shadows at bay in the warm hold of her arms. I could make
her mine, if only I would.
Instead, I pause. I smile. I let him walk away with her. And I would curse the Fates for making me feel like this, all torn and desperate, if I could. If I just could...
END