The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

The Parting of the Ways

The scene only became more beautiful when Amera reared up on her back legs and spread her wings as well, letting out a roar and loosing a jet of violet flame into the sky. Thorn responded with a blast of his own and the two dragons took to the skies, spiraling around one another until they were out of our sight, and too far away to reach through our mental connections.

"That didn't take long," I said, chuckling to myself.

"They've both been alone for a very long time," Murtagh replied, poking at the small fire he'd built under the pot. "It's only natural they would seize the opportunity as soon as it presented itself." I smirked slightly, but felt the blood rushing to my face.

I finished skinning the deer in silence, and then Murtagh helped me to portion out the meat. What we would use for our meal tonight he threw into the pot of water and dropped in some smallish vegetables. It was dark now, so the dragons were invisible to us, but I could still just barely sense Amera's presence nearby. I glimpsed flashes of joy mingled with sadness, for now she was in the same position that I was.

When the stew was ready, Murtagh doled it out and handed me a bowl, plopping down beside me where I rested with my back against Amera's saddle. We ate in comfortable silence, just glad to be in one another's company for now. And when our meal was finished, we trekked down to the river together to wash the bowls and utensils. After that task was done, we returned to our makeshift camp and sat together once more, Murtagh's arm draped over my shoulder and holding me close to his chest.

"What will you do?" I asked him finally, after nearly a half hour passed in silence.

"I'm not sure yet," he replied quietly. "We'll need to find a place that's secluded from any civilization, and then we'll have to find shelter right away. But perhaps I will build us a great house, something I'll build with my own two hands, without the aid of magic. An accomplishment I can be proud of..."

"You broke Galbatorix's hold on you; I should think that would be noteworthy enough." He laughed slightly, and I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"I could not have done that without you, Tabatha." He angled my head so we were looking into one another's eyes. "You saved me when I needed it most, and I can never repay you enough for that."

"You do not have to." He leaned in and planted a soft kiss upon my lips, sending a jolt of energy coursing through my body. I grabbed hold of the back of his neck and drew him closer to me, reveling in this moment for as long as I could. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine. "I love you, Murtagh," I whispered, closing my eyes.

He exhaled a breath. "And I love you... but the longer I stay, the harder it's going to be for me to leave." I choked back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

"I know." I felt Amera pressing at the back of my mind, offering feelings of comfort, and I knew the dragons were circling close by, trying to give us some semblance of privacy. Murtagh drew away from me then and stood, offering his hand to help me up.

"It's time," he said, his voice sounding heavy with emotion. He pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Wait," I suddenly said, an idea popping into my mind. "I wish to propose an arrangement." He pulled back and eyed me with a look of amusement.

"I should have known you would do this. You always were so stubborn," he said fondly.

"Yes, you should have" I quipped back. Then I took a deep breath in preparation for what I was about to say. "I understand why you and Thorn wish to leave, Murtagh. There is much pain and bitterness within you, and you need to sort things out for yourselves. I'm willing to let you go without a fight if you will promise me one thing." I waited in breathless anticipation for his reaction. Would he be angry? Would he refuse?