Swiftcurrent Creek A sons grief

He flinched when Etienne called him a coward, though Cambria didn’t argue. He just drew in a steadying breath as Etienne pointed out that some things were worth the price of admission. Maybe that was true for him, but that wasn’t the Dragonling’s truth.

I did open my heart, he said softly, to the Redtails. And they just disappeared, every last one of them. I don’t want to put myself through anything like that ever again.

It wasn’t Etienne’s fault, nor had he decided to distance himself for that reason. No, his fumble with Leonore had led him down that road. Cambria knew it wasn’t fair and that he deserved every bit of his former friend’s anger. Hopefully it would give him some closure.

Suddenly, his mind flickered to more recent events and he added, Caring for others is too messy and painful for me. So, you’re right about me, Eti. I’m a cold, selfish coward. He shook his head sadly. But I hope you know you deserve every happiness.

But the world hadn’t been kind to him, Cambria knew, and it would continue that way until the end of Etienne’s days. The Dragonling’s heart clenched in his chest. He wished he could do something about it, but there was nothing he could do. Nothing else he could say.