final goodbye

Iolaire held him tightly and pressed herself to him in support. Dapple would have enjoyed Iolaire very much, and he hated the thought of purpose in Dapple’s death. Were she still here the man wouldn’t have met up with Iolaire. She wouldn’t have nursed him back to health and they wouldn’t have fallen in love. Roan grit his teeth painfully and worked to gain control of his breath. No matter the reasons or what ifs. This was reality. Dapple was no longer beside him, but he had his beloved Iolaire.

They hadn’t known each other long but the connection was real and he felt love for her deeper than anything before in his troubled life. Roan clung to the knowledge that he could reply on the woman that held him, she showed her support of him from the moment they had met in that cave. If he had to give up his sister at least he could grab hold of his soon to be wife. He cried away his guilt but he would never be relieved of the pain he felt at losing Dapple.

He dragged in a ragged breath as Iolaire nuzzled into him and told him that he had seen through a job well done. The bear was dead, it would never do to another what had been done to his sister. He could take comfort in that. The image she painted of Dapple gave him comfort because she was completely right, the woman would have teased him to the end of time at his poor performance.

Roan managed a sad smile as he let her take away his tears. He returned her kisses as best he could with the awkward angle. He felt good having Io beside him, She saved him in more ways than one. ”You’re right,” He shook his head as he returned his forest gaze to the earth Dapple had been returned to. ”I think she would have adored you. Maybe not as much as I do..” He craned his neck and aimed to nuzzle Io’s cheek and kiss her slate lips. He sighed heavily, it seemed like life could go on now.

The silver marked man shifted beneath the dainty healer so that he could hold her to his chest. He was overwhelmed with emotion, but the most vibrant was his love for her.