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Rayla let out a strangled sob as she left her and Callum’s hub and made her way to Ezran’s. The hidden golden hues in the sky alerted her it was already time to move on. To leave.
Nevertheless, she couldn't do that yet, she owed Ez a goodbye too.
Though at first she was worried that Ezran would feel alone not having anyone to share with since Soren was given his own place, now she couldn’t help but be glad that Ezran was alone sleeping.
And Bait didn’t count. She could sneak in and out and the glowtoad wouldn’t question her.
Taking a deep breath she grabbed the door handle and pushed it open making the less sound possible.
She took a moment to take in the slow and calm up-and-down movements of Ez’s chest. His lashes rested against his skin. His mouth hung open, letting small drops of drool on the pillow.
Just like your brother , she thought and that stung her heart.
When would she be able to see them like this again? So peaceful, calm, and lovely. Would she be able to see them again at all? Right now she wished she’d Callum’s ability to draw because then she would capture this moment forever and carry it with her to always remind her what she was fighting for, the people she was protecting while doing this.
Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.
Rayla tightened her hold on the letter, crumbling it a little.
She walked to the bed and kneeled, leaving the letter on the nightstand and using her now free hand to wipe the tears from her face.
When a sob approached she bit her lower lip with such force she winced , she couldn’t cry or Ez would wake up, look at her with those kind blue eyes that never judge her and she would crumble.
These boys were her weakness, that was for sure.
Her fingertips brushed his jawline, earning a soft complaint. She flickered, afraid he would wake up, but when he didn’t Rayla dared to kiss his messy brown curls and caress his hair just once. If time wasn’t running out it would’ve been nice to braid the brothers’ hair.
She lingered for a moment, doubting, convincing herself yet again that this was necessary, that it was the only way.
Callum needed to stay. Ezran needed him. Rayla would be fine on her own. Nobody here needed her.
As she was turning around, the kid’s eyes fluttered open, and dumbly reached for her hand, barely grabbing one of her fingers.
“Rayla?” He muttered.
She gasped thinking fast. She needed to act naturally, like she wasn’t planning to go, or else Ezran would try and stop her.
“Yes?” She turned to him.
His mouth moved trying to say something more but failed as sleepiness won him over again and his eyes closed.
Rayla breathed deeply.
“I’m sorry, Ez,” she muttered before standing up and finally leaving the room to make her way to wherever Viren was hiding.
Ezran opened his eyes. The sun welcomed him into the day. With a big grin, he sat on the bed, stretching his arms over his head.
“It’s Callum’s birthday!” He celebrated to wake Bait.
He growled and Ez could tell it was a happy grow.
“C’mon, Bait, we need to hurry if we want to be there when he wakes up.”
Ezran was quick to stand up and take a shower with warm water and soap that smelled like vanilla while making a list of all the things he wanted to say to Callum for his special day. It was a shame that he didn’t think they would spend this day at the Nexus, otherwise, he would’ve brought Callum’s gift.
When he came out freshly showered and ready to go to Callum and Rayla’s room, he saw Bait on the nightstand. He growled and pointed to a piece of paper next to him.
Ezran didn’t remember that being there last night “What is it, Bait?” He walked toward it and took it. Suddenly something didn’t feel okay.
He scanned it, at the end of the letter was a name.
Rayla.
His stomach turned, but he dismissed it.
Rayla hadn’t been herself lately, that was for sure. S he wasn’t the usual sarcastic confident yet kind and caring girl he’d met two months ago , she was sad or upset so much time, and her jokes were kind of lacking , he couldn’t remember the last time they’d laugh, truly laugh together.
Ezran wanted to help her. But she made it difficult to approach her , always changing the topic or in the majority of times she got him to talk about anything he liked.
A week ago, before coming here, guards informed him she spent all the night walking through the castle , when he asked her why she couldn’t sleep she dismissed it and instead asked him how he was doing without Zym.
He loved her. Rayla was the nicest more kindhearted person he ever knew, and it seemed like all the bad things happened to her.
She didn’t just lose her parents, she lost all she knew, her home, her purpose, everything, to help him and Callum. They owed her everything. It was up to them to make Katolis her new home and hope that was enough.
He took a deep breath “Okay, Bait, here we go.”
Ezran sat on the edge of the bed and prayed for the letter to be something about Callum’s birthday. Perhaps she’d planned something and the letter was to inform him about it since he didn't get time to teach her the Katolian song for birthdays.
Dear Ezran.
I don’t know how to start this, sorry, so I guess I’ll go to the point.
I need to go, Ez. I know Viren is alive, and as you know, he poses a great threat to the entire world. He has already caused so much pain, I can’t let him do more. I need to go and stop him.
I need to keep you and Callum safe and I ought to do it alone.
Callum will need you once I’m gone. Please, don’t let him follow me. There are many things you still need to discover, both of you, I can’t let you risk your future.
Thank you for showing me so much kindness and compassion, Ez. You really are someone worth losing a hand for.
Please tell Zym I’ll miss him, I know he will be a great king of the dragons someday.
I don’t know if I’ll ever come back , but in case I don’t: I love you, Ezran. You have been like a little brother to me.
It’s been an honor traveling with you and being your friend.
You’re a very special kid, kid.
Even without knowing me, you showed me mercy and kindness , you were the first friend I had in a while.
You’re brave and strong. If anyone is gonna bring peace to the human kingdoms and Xadia it will be you.
I’m sorry I couldn’t stay to learn the song you told me about, anyway, wish Callum a happy birthday for me. He needs to live, and so do you.
Take care of each other for me, okay?
I’ll never forget about you, Ezran.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your family for a while.
-With love, Rayla.
Ezran felt his heart squeezed in his rib cage. Tears were falling, blurring the ink. He immediately put it back on the nightstand.
If this was the last thing he had from Rayla he would treasure it. Though he hated how much it felt like a goodbye.
Callum.
He needed to get to him. He would be devasted but….
“Why did she need to leave today?” Ez complained.
If she didn’t, Callum would follow her and nothing would be able to stop him .
Taking a deep breath and mentally preparing for what was to come ahead , Ezran made his way to Callum’s room trying not to cry and looking for signs of the elf that changed his life.
He knocked on the door twice but didn’t receive an answer. Maybe Callum was still sleeping. Then he could take him for breakfast and spend a good few hours before breaking his heart.
No, he would want to look for Rayla right away.
Bait growled, motivating Ez to finally open.
When he did his heart shattered. Callum was sitting on the edge of his bed, his back to the door, but he was hunching over something, little sobs escaping his lips.
“Oh, Callum,” Ezran whispered.
The kid climbed over the bed to sit beside his brother, palming his back.
“R-Ray… she’s gone,” he sobbed “She’s got away.” Another sob “She’s got away.” he repeated.
She's got away , he thought a sour feeling flooded him.
“I’m so sorry,” he muttered. “She loves you, you know it, right?.”
That only made Callum sob harder and Ezran spent all his energy not crying , he needed to be strong for Callum. His brother needed him , he could cry later.