Derya stared back at the castle, splotches of light in so many windows and on the guard towers, and her heart ached. The moment she had to say goodbye to Andor was one of enlightenment. When he tenderly kissed her and finally forced himself to let go of her, she understood the depth of her feelings for this human man.
Not only was he her mate, but the love of her life, and the thought that she might never see him again tore her apart. Even leaving the castle made her understand that she considered it home.
"Princess?" Ninive asked when she noticed Derya had faltered, and the others came to a standstill, watching her with a compassion she could sense without looking at them.
"Let her say goodbye, Ninive. The heart needs a moment when it leaves behind what it loves," Argana said.
"Did you ever love like that?" Ninive asked curiously.
"Yes, once, but it was shortly after my sister- and brother-in-law were murdered."