Terry Brooks - The Darkling Child

He lifted his hand to the iron knocker and then dropped it, filled with indecision.

What am I doing?

Then, abruptly, the door opened, and Leofur Rai stood there looking at him.

He waited for her to say something, but she just stared, arms folded across her breast. She looked the same–brilliant green eyes, honey–colored hair with silver streaks, intense no–nonsense gaze.

“I … couldn’t decide about this,” he said finally.

She faced him in silence, waiting.

He straightened. “I came here because I had to see you. I had to tell you how wrong I’ve been. I’m about as unhappy as I could possibly be, and I know it’s due in no small part to having stayed away from you. I should have come before now. I thought to do so countless times–more times than I can to think about–but the longer I waited the harder it got and finally I couldn’t make myself do it.”

She still did not speak, but she nodded.

“Something bad has happened. Something so terrible that it has caused me to consider leaving the Druid Order. It made me rethink everything. Maybe I should have done so sooner–I don’t know. I’ve been looking for answers, but I haven’t found them yet. I’ve been on a sort of identity quest. I know I’m not making sense; I can’t seem to find the words. The point is, it led me here. It opened my eyes. I know now I will never be happy without you. I will never be complete. I realized that. And I know it’s probably too late for us, but I had to come say it all anyway. I owed you that much. And I had to find out. About us. Because I’m hoping there’s still a chance we can be together.”

He paused, the pain of his emotions sharp in his chest. “Leofur, I love you. I think I always have. I know I always will.”

She watched him a moment longer. Then she unfolded her arms and reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Maybe you better come inside, Paxon,” she said, her face expressionless. “We might take a little time to work this out.”

His hopes came to life, the glow in his heart warm and bright as he stepped through her door.