The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1)

Whether it was her verbal attack on me or the Valdyrstal clan, I wasn’t sure, but Fox Fur spurred his horse forward and knocked Syrani down into the mud, spewing a few unknown curses at her in his native tongue.

It startled me to know that I understood what Fox Fur had said to Syrani, and it wasn’t pretty. Trying to hide my grin behind a straight face, I looked into Joss’ handsome one and rode Faraway over to him, amazed that the clan members let me through. I could see Bearen astride his horse ready to be on the move.

“I’m sorry, Joss. I have to go,” I spoke quietly.

“Will you come back?”

Looking over my shoulder at Bearen’s stiff posture, his body language spoke volumes, speaking what he would never voice aloud.

“I don’t know? Maybe, someone needs to come back for Council Meetings, but I can’t make any promises.”

Joss took another step forward to try and reach up to touch me, but Fox Fur moved protectively to my side and Joss backed up, giving him a look of pure hatred.

“Thalia, we need to go!” Bearen called out. Nodding my head to him in understanding, I turned back to Joss.

“Please tell Avina and Berry that I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye, and tell Garit I will keep practicing everything he taught me.”

“What about me?” he asked. “What would you have liked to say to me?” He looked at me intently.

“Joss, you saved me and you are one of the most important people in my life right now. I will never forget you.”

“It sounds like you’re saying a permanent goodbye.” He looked angry and hurt at the same time.

Fox Fur move forward again and grabbed Faraway’s reins to get him turned in the right direction so we could get going, but Faraway violently jerked his head in protest and almost unsaddled Fox Fur from his horse.

Bearen had waited all he cared to, and started the horses toward the Citadel’s gate. Faraway could do nothing but follow as he was trapped in the middle of the pack. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Joss standing there looking after me, and I waved good-bye.

It was not how I imagined leaving. I desperately wanted to turn around and run back and tell him how I really felt. But I didn’t, I couldn’t. My heart felt heavy and as we passed through the gates, turned onto a side road and headed toward the Shadow Mountains, toward home, toward answers.