Page 121 of Origins of Eternity

“No. I was just thinking of yesterday and how long of a day it really was. I was here with you in the morning. We made love in front of this fireplace.”

“Yes, we did.”

Iro poured their drinks.

“And then, everything else happened.”

Iro walked over to her and handed her the drink.

“I know you’re not a big fan, but it does help,” she said of the alcohol.

“With the taste or the cravings?”

“Both, technically. We can get drunk, but it takes a lot to get us there.”

She took a sip of her drink.

“Hey, how’s your cut?”

“Healed. I slept for a long time and had a lot to eat, so I’m okay. I probably won’t go outside today, if I can help it, but I’m all right.” She sat on the sofa. “I’m more concerned with howyouare.”

Arwen took a hesitant sip before she quickly finished the whole glass.

“Another?” Iro asked.

“No, I’m okay. And you were right: it did help.” Arwen set the glass down and moved to sit next to her. “I don’t know howI’mdoing, honestly. Last night, Zara and I talked for hours, and I think we’ll be okay eventually, but not right now. I feel like I’m still a little in shock, and I haven’t been able to get mad at her yet.”

“I see,” Iro replied and finished her own drink before setting the glass on the table next to Arwen’s. “I assume that’s what you’re here to talk tomeabout, then?”

“What do you mean?” Arwen asked, turning to her.

“That you think we might be able to be okay eventually, but not now, and you need to get mad at me first.”

“I’m not mad at you, Iro.”

“You have every right to be.”

“Babe, I thought I would be. I kept waiting for it to hit me after Zara and I tried to get some sleep, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that none of this isyourfault.”

“Arwen, this isallmy fault. Cassia was my–”

“Cassia made her own choices. So did Zara. You never did anything to hurt me. You tried to protect me, and when you realized you might lose me, you didn’t do what Cassia did. Iro, you let me go last night. Knowing there was a chance I’d never come back, you still let me go.”

“It’s your choice. I want to be with you, Arwen, but I’d never be like Cassia.”

“I know.” Arwen shifted a little closer to her. “I know that about you already, and I have no idea how, but I trust it. I trust you more than I trust Zara right now, and I’ve known her for ten years.”

“She loves you, too, you know?”

“I know. She told me. But I don’t love her like that. I never did. I do, however, loveyou.”

Iro’s eyes widened, and she said, “That’s the first time you’ve said that.”

“I love you,” Arwen said again. “I knew it before what happened yesterday, and all night last night, I kept waiting for that to change; for something new about me to change my feelings or my mind; for that answer to hit. And it did, but it wasn’t aimed at you. It was aimed at Cassia, and Zara, and just… the situation. And I missed you, Iro. I missed you last night.”

“I missed you, too. You have no idea how hard it was for me to let you leave here.”

“I know. But I’m glad you did. I know you better nowbecauseyou did. Zara and I got to talk, and now, maybe you and I can figure this thing out between us because I don’t want to leave you again.”