Chapter 24: Damon’s Redemption
Damon came to me before leaving.
“I owe you another apology.”
I smiled.
“You’ve apologized enough.”
“I need to say it anyway.”
He took a breath.
“I was weak.”
“Yes.”
“I chose power over you.”
“Yes.”
“I believed lies because they were convenient.”
“Yes.”
He looked down.
“I’ll never forgive myself.”
“You don’t have to.”
He looked up.
“What?”
“You don’t have to punish yourself forever.”
He stared at me.
“How did you become so different?”
I thought about the forest.
“I nearly died.”
He smiled sadly.
“Maybe I needed to lose you to understand what I had.”
“Maybe.”
“Are you happy?”
I looked toward Kael.
He was standing near the balcony.
“Yes.”
Damon nodded.
“Then I’m glad.”
He turned to leave.
I called his name.
He stopped.
“Take care of your people.”
He smiled.
“I will.”
And that was the final chapter of the story between us.
Not love.
Not hatred.
Closure.
