Rain of Shadows and Endings (The Legacy)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, searching her eyes. “Tessa,” he breathed. “Just accept the bond. This can all stop.” “Do you think I’m not trying?” she asked, her voice cracking the slightest amount, but he heard it. “Do you think I do not recognize how much simpler things could be? Do you think I enjoy the agony that comes from not fully submitting to this?” “What is holding you back? What do I need to do? Tell me, Tessa. Name it, and it is done,” he said, his hands framing her face. She stared back at him, and for just a second, the façade slipped. He saw so many emotions swirling in her eyes, but there was something else there too. A flash of something. Before he could study it more, she blinked, and her newfound docile demeanor was back in place. The only sound was the soft pattering of the rain outside as they stared at each other. “You’ve done enough,” she finally said. “Please just let me figure it out on my own.”