Swiftcurrent Creek A sons grief

Etienne’s words halted him. He’d witnessed quite the gamut of emotions in the other man, but had he ever heard him speak from a place of anger? Cambria’s lips parted in surprise as Etienne insisted he’d forgiven him. His friendship was still on offer, but it was conditional: the Dragonling needed to be present.

I don’t want it, he thought, though he knew he was lying to himself. He did want Etienne, but he was shit scared of reestablishing that—or any—attachment. He’d tried it out with the Redtails and learned the hard way that relationships only resulted in heartache.

He was better off alone. How could Cambria lose something he didn’t have? His teeth gritted together as his two-toned eyes flitted over Etienne’s face again. He wanted so badly to stay. He really, really needed to go.

It’s not that I don’t want it. I just know we’ll hurt each other, he found himself arguing, letting his vulnerability show as he admitted, I don’t want to get hurt, Eti, any more than I want to hurt you.