I slipped on my jacket and secured my sword, then, as I was swinging the bag over my shoulder, I turned and saw Serina on the bed, still covered by the sheets and watching me. Even in the dim room, lit by only a few flickering candles, I could see the tears in her eyes.
She turned her head, trying to avoid watching me leave, but I couldn’t walk away like this. I set the bag down and walked over to her, hearing her sob softly. I sat on the edge of the bed and gently placed my hand on her bare shoulder.
“Don’t turn away from me,” I murmured.
She turned slightly, just enough to meet my gaze.
“I don’t want to see you go,” she wept.
“I’ll come back.”
“When? Years from now? When we’re both old and gray…”
I shook my head. “No, I won’t let that much time go by,” I assured her.
“You might
