My hands shook as I opened the folds.
My darling friend,
I know you’ll be furious I was here and didn’t wake you, but I couldn’t. I’d never be able to do this.
After what happened, the king has requested volunteers to take assignment with Lord Tosca in Alioth. Now that my training has completed, it is the perfect opportunity for me to establish my own person as an Aegis. When I offered my services to the king for this assignment, he was more than happy to grant my wish. Never doubt the intuitiveness of your grandfather.
This is where I risk losing your friendship forever. You may hate me for it, as I hate myself, but there is a plan for your life and as much as I want it to, it is a plan that cannot ever include me. Staying near you would only complicate things and make it impossible for either of us to live our roles as expected. I tried not to love you so that I could remain your friend, but I’ve failed.
Remember who you are, Daria. The strong pillar I know you to be, the confident woman that can do anything—conquer anything. This realm needs you much more than you need it, and one day, when you choose the man that is to be your equal and partner in this life, I can only pray that he deserves you.
Please forgive me.
I will love you always,
Alexander
The paper shook in my hands.
He wouldn’t. It wasn’t possible. He couldn’t just…leave. Not after…
I rushed to the window and pushed it open, searching the night. He couldn’t have gone far. I could stop him. He would not take this choice from me.
Raindrops splattered on my face. It was too dark to see anything. There was no one. Nothing…but emptiness.
The words I tried to ignore screamed at my soul, ripping it to shreds. I was too late.
He was gone.
Gone in a world I could not navigate, amidst a people I could not trust.
I sank down beside the wall, my face wet with rain and tears, the letter still shaking in my hands.
How could he do this? How could he take away my choice—the only choice I would fight to keep?
Always protecting me. Always trying to do what he thought was best. Making the decisions for both of us. This time he was wrong, very wrong. And I already hated him for it.
Rain slapped against the wall behind me, the breeze chilling my bones through my thin silken shield. When I looked up, I noticed something bright red. It lay atop my bed, its vividness making everything in my room seem dull.
The Ardor’s Flame had opened, and it was bleeding.
###
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Acknowledgements
Oh, the "Acknowledgements" page. I've been sitting here, trying to figure out just where to start, because there have been so many people that have made my debut novel, Gaia's Secret, possible! This has truly been a group effort, and I wouldn't be here today, stumbling over the beginnings of this page, if it weren't for all the time and energy you put in, helping me realize my dream.
I've got to thank my family first and foremost, for being the initial set of guinea pigs (poor things). Mom, Uncle As, Annie, Teri Lee (a.k.a. Mom #2), Madeline, Hannah, Aunt Cynthia, Lauren, Joanna, no matter how badly I butchered that initial story line and character development, you always encouraged me to keep going until I got it right. Thanks for believing in Daria and Alex. Without you, they might not have ever gotten together.
To my friends at the Med Center, for letting me constantly talk your ear off about my imaginary friends, and not ever complaining about it. John, Scott, Janice, Laura, Chris, Kris, and Teri (who, by the way, also fixed all my plural possessive issues. If you find any, it's not her fault!).
And, of course, all my awesome beta-friends who were honest and encouraging all the way, giving me more insightful and thoughtful feedback than I could've dreamed. April & Troy, Misty, Gina, Amy, Sarah, Kim, Ashley, Kate, Tia. I couldn't have asked for better readers. You all are brilliant!
My awesome critique partner, Christine, who is a genius at catching everything I couldn't see. Thanks for always believing in my characters! And Laura, for giving me a very thorough crash-course in grammar.
Of course there's the fabulous bloggers. You guys have been crucial to my sanity. Your own stories and paths and advice and comments have been essential to this endeavor.
Last, but absolutely not least, I want to thank my best friend, and husband, Ben. If it weren't for you, I never would've written those first few (and embarrassing) words on paper. You've always believed in me, even when I was so frustrated that I wanted to throw my story against the wall and be done with it. You've been a constant sounding board, have read every draft I've ever thrown at you, encouraged me, challenged me, helped me keep the imaginative spark alive. You've been as invested in this story as I've been, and it wouldn't exist without you. I love you. Thank you.
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