[This post is from Hecate’s point of view.]
The path was narrow, starting to crumble away into the ravine, but there was enough room between the piles of rubble that were once dormitories and the edge of the slope for the two of them to walk side-by-side. Hecate leaned against Matt, her arm tightening briefly around his waist.
You have to tell him eventually.
But was this really the moment?
She took a soft, deep breath and exhaled slowly, glancing up toward him. “It still bothers you, doesn’t it?”
His brow furrowed for a few seconds and he stared out into the trees, as if watching how the light slanted through the leaves and branches. It was a familiar look, one that made Hecate’s throat tighten for a few seconds. Perhaps it was because they’d been talking about Ciar, because she’d just asked about him. But in that moment, he looked so achingly like the man she’d loved and lost that it worried the scar deep inside, making the pain fresh again, if only briefly.
“No,” he murmured after a moment. “No, not really. There’s no sense in denying it, right? It’s all the same soul. I was him a long time ago, but I’m more than just that now. There’s a lot more to me than that.”
She took a slow, deep breath and nodded, squeezing him gently. “I still worry sometimes about that.”
“I know,” he murmured. “So do I.”
Hecate shook her head slightly. “Matt, I loved Ciar. He was the first and for a long time, I thought he’d be the only. Then you came and now that’s what matters. I love you.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I know.”
“Good,” she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut for a few seconds. His arm tightened around her shoulders.
“What’s wrong?”
“It still hasn’t healed,” she said quietly. “Not nearly as much as it should have.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, then swallowed hard. “Your…your wound?”
She nodded almost convulsively. It was a few seconds before she realized she was shaking. Matt just gathered her into his arms and held her tightly for a few seconds.
“Who else knows?” he asked in a whisper.
“I was going to have J.T. take a look,” she whispered back. “I know I should, but I don’t trust any of the others with this like I’d trust him.”
“No, you trust who you trust.” Matt buried his nose in her hair. Hecate took a deep breath, trying to stave off tears.
“I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” he murmured into her hair. “It’s okay.”
She didn’t think it was, but it was kind of him to say so.
