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The Farewell

Author: Claudia
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-20 23:40:34

Ryder

The house was silent when I came in from the courtyard. Even the wind seemed to have lost its voice. Brandon’s funeral still clung in my memory, the scent of smoke and wildflowers clinging to my clothes no matter how many times I washed my hands.

Kiara sat near the window, her knees drawn up, a single candle burning beside her. Its flame swayed when I closed the door behind me. She didn’t look at me at first, and I didn’t blame her. Everything I touched lately seemed to break.

I took a breath before finally speaking.

“You should rest.”

She shook her head, her hair falling across her shoulder.

“So should you.”

I wanted to tell her that sleep was a luxury for the living, but the words caught in my throat. Instead I crossed the room and stopped a few paces behind her, afraid that if I stood any closer, I might not find the strength to leave when morning came.

The moonlight caught on her wrist, the faint silver mark of our bond pulsing softly beneath her skin. I reac
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