"I can't, Sioni. Not...not anymore. And don't go on about it being a gift from a friend, because I know different.”

As she stepped away, Sioni clenched his teeth. This is where he had to take it in the gut, because he cared.

“I know how you feel, Sioni. I do. But, I don't feel that way and that's why I can't do this. Not anymore,"

“Why?”

"I'm lying to you and it's not fair because I do care about you. And that is the very reason why I can't do this anymore. And...I can't let you give me things. Not now. Maybe later, but not now."

He meant why was she doing this. Why was it impossible for her just to… try a little. But suddenly it seemed to turn into another question.

"Don't make this harder than it is."

Why shouldn’t he make it hard for her? What right did she have to hurt him, and ask for him to be nice about it? He closed his hand around the little charm and squeezed it until the wings bit into his hand.

“Just…” Sioni drew a deep breath and looked away. Still without looking at her he said quietly, “Alright, Cariead, I’ll play nice. I won’t ask you just what it is that I’ve done so wrong you think it’s alright for you to do this. I just want you to remember this, Caitlin.”

He looked at her now, his eyes hard and his voice bitter. “I hopes you find someone to love. And I hopes you find somebody who’ll love you back, like. But until you do, don’t you ever treat any one like this again. Don’t you ever do this again.” He turned to go, and felt the blood running down his knuckles where he’d driven the edge of the pendant into his palm. Opening his hand he looked at the little bundle of gold and blood and dropped it on the grass. “There,” He said. “I’m done.” 

Sioni walked toward the Lake.



Not Getting Any Younger