The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

I couldn't breathe. Just when I thought that things were starting to change, and I could finally be free to focus on what needed to be done, this had to happen! Evander just stared at me long and hard, his gaze unrelenting and questioning. What did he want me to say? I didn't even know if I was happy to see him. His presence here would just complicate things even further. We continued to stare at each other, Amera sitting silently by with her piercing silver eyes scanning for any hint of danger.

Is this the man from your father's court? Amera asked me, a low growl escaping from deep within her chest. She had seen a few of my memories of him, but I'd done my best to push those deep down inside.

Yes, it's the man I was involved with in Urû'baen.

She sucked in a deep breath of air. What is he doing here now? she snapped, letting out a puff of smoke from her nostrils. Evander looked over at her, his face impassive.

I don't know, Amera... I don't know.

He looked back at me, his pale green aura pulsing slowly and evenly. "Say something, Tabatha," he finally breathed.

"I can't," I replied, choking on the words. "I don't know what to say."

"Are you not happy to see me?" I stared blankly, trying not to let my emotions betray me. I didn't know what I was feeling, let alone be able to describe it to him. He could sense my hesitation, and his face fell, a sadness coming into his eyes. My heart reached out for him, but I could say nothing.

"Evander... Things have changed, I don't... I just can't..." I couldn't form the words to try and explain it to him, so I just went silent.

"It's because of him, isn't it?" he finally said, anger clear in his voice. So he had seen them, there up on the wall...

"No," I replied. "No, Evander, it's because of her." I gestured at Amera, her neck straightening slightly. "It's because I became a Dragon Rider that everything changed. My priorities have shifted, and I no longer want the things I thought I did. I hope you can understand that."

"But even when this is done," he continued, shifting his piercing gaze up to my eyes, "you will go to him, won't you? After everything we've done and been through together, you will choose him over me. I gave up everything for you, Tabby. I escaped Urû'baen and your father, and I gave up my lands and title, so I could come here, not only to help the Varden, but for you too! Does that mean nothing?!" He was yelling in full force now, his harsh words echoing across the flat landscape.

"Of course it does not mean nothing," I said slowly. "I appreciate that you came here. But whatever you were looking for, Evander... I am sorry, truly I am, but I cannot give it to you. I thought that I loved you once, but now I know that I was using you in anger towards Murtagh, and I beg your forgiveness for that. I deceived you, and I am ashamed, but I won't deceive you any longer. I'm trying to make amends now, but I understand if you never forgive me. I wouldn't forgive me if I was in your position. I am sorry you came all this way to hear these words, but I can't lie to you anymore. I'm done lying, and I'm done hiding. I've got to kill my father, Evander, and I have to be free of distractions to do that. I'm sorry—"

"Enough," he cut me off, tightening his fists at his side. "I don't want to hear anymore. I thought you were different, Tabatha. But it's become abundantly clear that I was very wrong." His words stung, but I knew they were true. I had changed a tremendous amount since I'd left him last in the citadel at Urû'baen, and I now realized what a selfish little girl I had been. I wasn't the same person he'd fallen in love with, and I couldn't change what I felt. His face betrayed the depth of the hurt he was feeling, and I only continued to feel worse.