Regrets

A mistake. That was all it was. A terrible, horrible, irrevocable mistake that wracked her with guilt, forced blood into her lungs. She dragged herself onto land, arms trembling. Hacking and coughing, lungs burning and eyes stinging with salt water and tears.

She needed to find him, to bring him back. She needed to save him. (Even if he was beyond saving. Even if it was over and done with, and she’d never have him by her side again, all because of a stupid, idiotic—)

Her arms collapsed beneath her weight, and she swore, fingers clenching uselessly around her darn lantern. She wanted to throw it, to watch it shatter and break as much as her heart was inside. But that wouldn’t be enough. Nothing would be enough.

What she needed most was help.

Not from the dark sisterhood, and definitely not from the magic that ruined it all. Someone else… anyone.

… Maybe even him.

It took some cajoling. Some words and deals and more than she’d wanted to part with, but it was worth it. Had to be. To see her beloved again. Without him being mangled and mutilated, water filling his lungs and her always too slow to react and reach him in time.

If only. Regrets and guilt and sorrowful endings filled her dreams. And even if she was different now, a horrible acidic goo that trailed in her wake and powers that were strange but no less powerful, she didn’t regret it.

He was different when he came back. In looks and in mind. A Ghost Manticore, furred and winged and a barbed tail. But the relief she felt when he returned, a gasp escaping her lips as she lurched forward, words choking in her throat.

Sorry. I’m so sorry.