It was never a simple journey when former lovers were traveling together.

  Bartlett and Eliani walked in silence in the direction of Camarth, not attempting to start a conversation. Whenever they did, it was nothing more than a professional, cold conversation, related to their mission. There was no small talk, or any kind of friendly talk, between the two.

  The wedge between their relationship was hard to remove, not to mention the reluctance from both sides in rekindling a broken relationship. They were justified if they could not tolerate one another and decided to go separate ways.

  But the reason they stayed together was beyond professional commitment. They traveled to Camarth to meet an old friend, but at the same time, both were trying to find a reason to talk to one another, especially Bartlett.

  Ever since Eliani returned to his life, he was wracked with regret and reluctance in getting together with his former Kal’Adre lover. Ten years was a long time to forget and move on, but the sense of betrayal remained. Bartlett never returned to the Jubari Nation to say anything. Neither did he write to her. It was guilt and cowardice that caused him to act like that. Guilt for failing to protect her brother from a painful demise, and cowardice for walking away from her out of guilt.

  And now, they stood side-by-side together, no longer having feelings for one another. It was such a sad existence between the two lovers, and it felt wrong for Bartlett. He must find the courage to talk to her, to straighten this out. See what will happen.

  Unbeknownst to him, Eliani was also trying to find a way and the courage to talk to him. She never blamed Bartlett for walking away, even though it still hurt. If it wasn’t for Rodvar keeping in touch with her, she might end up having a grudge towards Bartlett, and possibly even Grant and Rodvar for simply walking away after their adventure ended on such a sour note. She understood that everyone needed to find their own way to grieve. However, part of her still could not forgive him for walking away when she needed him the most.

  But chance gave them an opportunity to reconcile

  They walked in silence, side-by-side, until nightfall. By then, they had reached a small town intended for travelers to rest on their way to Camarth. It also had separate stables for dragons and horses. Bartlett looked at the dragon stables, aware that he did not made use of the facilities when travelling with Henrietta, even though he went through Manarithian towns with such facilities. Given his awareness of Henrietta’s status as a cursed human, he decided to camp with the dragon. This was the first time he opted to stay in the inn.

  Bartlett was ready to rent two separate rooms for him and Eliani, but to his surprise, Eliani told her intentions to him, the first time they talked on their travel.

  “I suggest we rent a big room instead of separate,” she said. “I just thought it would be cheaper.”

  “But—”

  “Just do it before I change my mind. Please.”

  Eliani’s gaze told Bartlett everything. There might be a chance for them to talk about it, after all. Aware of this, he complied.

  The inn had a room at the end of the building that could accommodate them. It was a double room, separated in the middle by a living room, complete with a fireplace. It had two separate bedrooms just in case their talk did not pan out.

  Eliani initially thought it was unnecessary and a waste of coins, but she silently agreed, knowing that this could be the end of their relationship. Of course, she only meant it romantically; ten years of pondering had made her understand the reason why he left without saying goodbye.

  But they needed to talk about it, not just assuming.

  The fireplace was unnecessary in the middle of a hot summer, so they lighted some candles to illuminate the room. Once they did, they both sat on the chairs nearby, silently staring at one another.

  It grew uncomfortable, so Bartlett steeled himself and began the conversation first.

  "So, uh, how are you?" he asked awkwardly. "It's been a minute, huh, Ellie?"

  Ellie did not say anything back. She did not growl, a show of intimidation or annoyance. If she hissed, though, Bartlett would have no chance.

  He looked around, trying to find something to talk about. The more he tried to think of something witty or light-hearted, the more awkward he felt. Eliani's expression, in which she looked perpetually unamused, being a cheetah person, did not help with Bartlett's confidence much.

  In the end, he thought, "Fuck it", and just be blunt with it.

  “I'm sorry,” said Bartlett. “I’m sorry for leaving you all those years ago. I should've said it the moment we met again so we can spare ourselves from this awkwardness. But I guess that's not what I had in mind.”

  “I forgive you,” said Eliani, matter-of-factly.

  "Just like that?"

  "You should've at least written."

  “I…can’t,” he said, scratching his head. “I was…distraught.”

  “Because you thought you let Okem died, did you, Letty?”

  It had been a while since Bartlett heard her call him by that nickname. He wanted to smile, but the mention of ‘Okem’ was enough to bring up all the guilt he had been harboring for the last decade.

  “I never blamed you,” said Eliani. “It was Okemeni’s choice, not yours. He doted on you, yes, but he joined our adventure because he wanted to protect me.”

  He never told me that,” said Bartlett.

  “We talked. Privately. I told him to go home and be the village protector instead of following us all over Jubari and the Western Nations. I believed he could protect himself, but I was afraid. That’s when he told me his reasons, and that he did not want to be home worrying about me. I conceded…because I understand why.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Because you only have one another, right?”

  Eliani nodded and let out a purr. “But I should’ve insisted. He would hate me, but he would still be alive. That way, I would still keep both of you together. My reluctance cost everything. Perhaps that's what your thoughts are. Or perhaps it's something else. We should talk about this, Bartlett. Put all your cards on the table. We have a whole night to talk."

  She had a point. He had ten years to mull about it and punish himself. It was time to let that go and open himself to his former lover. He took a pause to think of the words he should say. The silence made it easier for him.

  “I…shouldn’t have let him go with us into war,” he started. “I should’ve done what you tried to do. I should’ve insisted he went back home and wait. Instead, I foolishly thought his dedication in protecting the Nation was noble. Being a Manarithian, I had an obligation to help my ally and my friend."

  “Every Jubari wants to protect their home. It’s normal,” said Eliani.

  “But he was seventeen! He was no prodigy. Just because he was good with arrows, doesn’t mean he was going be good enough when it comes to war. And I let him be captured and turned against us.”

  “You were overwhelmed, Bartlett. There was nothing you can do.”

  “Did I? I should’ve tried harder! I shouldn’t have let him out of my sight! I should insist he stayed behind!”

  “Bartlett, enough,” said Eliani, upon noticing his increasing agitated tone. Bartlett, thankfully, understood her, so he calmed himself down.

  “I felt like I had done the greatest sin to you,” said Bartlett. “I felt unworthy to even be talking to you. I left, positive that you were blaming me. I thought it would be best if you never saw this face again. And I…I punished myself. I became the very thing I hate. A Manarithian dragon slayer. I believed it’s my punishment, and I couldn’t stop, even after I met Rodvar. I wanted you to blame me. I deserved it.”

  Eliani growled while baring her teeth, voicing her displeasure

  “Do you really think I am not to blame?” she said. “Do you really think you are the only one who suffered because Okem died?”

  Bartlett looked at her, confused.

  “I didn't insist, thinking that it was Okem's decision. Everyone were suffering for the decision we made that day. I wanted your shoulder. I wanted to mourn with you, but you left. It was as if we did not matter much to you. Grant left after he indulged himself in drinks, trying to drown his sorrows and anger. Rodvar, bless him, stayed and comforted me. It was me who left, also blaming myself for my own brother’s death. I suffered guilt, and do you know what I did? I went and took shash. Trying to numb the pain like Grant did. I hunted more than any hunters did, to the point they saw it as an obsession more than an obligation. I seek help, but I could not…I could not listen. I…I….”

  Eliani started to become overwhelmed herself. The pain of losing her brother turned her stoic and cold, and she expressed it all in front of the person she was supposed to hate. Even after ten years, she couldn’t bring herself to blame Bartlett. She blamed herself.

  Bartlett listened, and for the first time in his life, felt like a fool. He wasn’t alone. Everyone was ready to take the blame for Okem’s death, but he, being the leader of the party, decided that it was his call, not Okem’s, not Eliani’s, not anyone else. It was his influence that killed him. He did not realize how the others were hurt. Rodvar tried to tell him, but he, like Eliani, refused to listen.

  This time he listened. This time he saw what Eliani had been through. How it changed her. The cheetah person was going to cry, and Bartlett did what he felt the best in that situation, regardless of the consequences.

  He went and hugged her.

  She chirped in surprise, but she stopped herself from reacting violently. She did not react for a while, but she eventually did so, by hugging him back, taking care not scratch him with her sharp claws.

  “We both screwed up…didn’t we?” said Bartlett. “And to think…to think you managed to forgive them, after what they did to Okem. Rodvar told me.”

  “It was difficult at first,” said Eliani. “I saw them as monsters, they saw me as an enemy. I wanted to spite them, to act like a victim. And then…I met him.”

  “Someone else?”

  Eliani chirped, a Kal’Adre chuckle. “Don’t be ridiculous. He was a gnoll. He was corrupted, much like Okem, but he managed to keep his sanity. However, there was nothing we could do to prevent his deterioration. He…he was around the same age as Okem, and he was subjected to the same abuse Okem suffered, only less severe.”

  “What did you do?”

  “He only had months to live. Moved by sympathy, I stayed with him until he could no longer remember me, or anyone else. The corruption ravaged your brain, leaving you brain-dead in the end. He wasn’t too corrupted, so it was not a cruel existence. He was never in pain, and I doubt he ever realize his mind was deteriorating. Yet, looking at his beady, black eyes, I knew he was aware he wouldn't live long. You know what he said before his mind went? He considered me a sister. Me, a Kal'Adre, a race his people hated. I…I was moved. It devastated me when…when he….”

  She shook her head, refusing to be overwhelmed.

  “He died after a prolonged coma. He did not suffer. I personally buried him, along with my spite. I accepted the gnolls as family, as they did me, once they learned about Okem. We all blamed the dark magick that rogue mage used, and we all developed ways to prevent something like this to ever happen again.”

  “How so?”

  “By studying the mage’s grimoire. He was careless enough to leave his work around. The shamans and mages from both nationss studied them, developed countermeasures, until finally, they created this.”

  Eliani unsheathed one of her daggers, which glowed despite the dim lighting.

  “Enchantment?”

  “Magick alloy,” she corrected. “We called it Taphas Adjoti.”

  “Lightbringer,” said Bartlett.

  “Named for its glow.” Eliani then sheathed her dagger. “Bartlett…let Okem go. For our sake. We can’t change the past. The only way we can do now is move forward. Whether together…or on our own. It is fine if this is it for us. I’m just glad we both can bury the past and move on.”

  “I….” Bartlett hesitated, but he quickly mustered his courage. “I want to give it another go. If you’re okay with it. But of course, it’s up to you.”

  “I’m willing to try,” said Eliani. “Just promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Don’t ever walk away without giving me a reason again,” she said. “Just tell me if it’s over. Be the man, as you humans said."

  “I’m a little scared of what you’ll do if you take it badly. I mean, there are risks for, uh…dating someone who's a humanoid cheetah. With a lot of sharp teeth.”

  “Really? I thought that's the risk you take when dating a feline person,” she said with a wide, toothy grin. "Don't act like you don't know what I mean. I've seen scrolls some humans kept for...carnal indulgences. You'd be surprised how many of them are Kal'Adres."

  Bartlett became flustered.

  “Y-youthful fantasies," he said, flustered.

  This did not escape Eliani's attention, though, who let out a mischievous smirk as she climbed on top of him. The low-lighting given by the candles only helped to make her look so beautiful for Bartlett. Her lean body, covered in soft fur, adorned with spots over her light buff fur color, coupled with her ever-moving tail that indicated her mood, seemed too good to be true. Her leather trousers and shirt, which covered most of her body out of modesty's sake, seemed like barriers to him. Imagine what's underneath all those clothes. Imagine how she usually looked like when hunting in the savannah, where people were not as heavily dressed and only covered in fur. Imagine....

  "You humans are so easy to read," she said, chirping. "All in a good time, Letty. I need a bath. I doubt you'd want to pile over sticky fur."

  "O-oh. Right." She then climbed off him, before he touched his nose with her snout, eliciting a purr from her.

  "Why don't we start?" he said, smirking. "There's no point in this whole flirting if we don't get it through."

  "Are you going to keep your promise?" asked Eliani.

  "Don't sour the mood before we start. Of course, I'm gonna."

  And so, they affirmed their love once more that night. It was also the night where Bartlett found that letting go was the right way to go. Much like the first time they met, they went through some rough patches together, only to persevere in the end. It may took them ten years to move on from a shared tragedy, but for them, one thing was clear.

  They were always meant to be together.