I
A Long, Long, Time ago…
Xilfim was gone. She had died because of what he had done. Iago told himself that it was not his fault, but his memories of her betrayed him. He told himself that he had only done what was necessary, but even that was an exaggeration. There were many other options that he could have taken, and he knew that. She didn"t need to die. This gem, while it had given him what he had desired most, had destroyed his life. She had told him that it would. Even to the end, Xilfim had warned him about the gem"s power and his l**t for it. Once he had lost the gem, it was only natural for him to suspect her of stealing it. It had been the only logical conclusion. His reaction had been justified. The fact that he had been wrong did not change that.
While he had held the gem, fr
