At that moment, he recalled a distant memory. They were both on a cliff, overlooking the lands far beyond that of Drakin. He had once thought of leaving Drakin behind and leading a different life with Sierra.
He recalled what she had said to him in return.
'Say the word, and I'll go where you wish to go.'
Why couldn't he do the same for her?
Alistair opened the letter and read it. He'd already predicted what was written in it. Once his sweetling had set her mind on something, nothing and no one could change it.
Not even him.
Reading the letter only made him feel even more guilty than before. She was apologizing to him for going against his orders to remain in the castle.
How could he have been so blind as not to see?
Alistair delved deeper into his own thoughts. He wanted to know why he had been so against her going. Was it really because he wanted to keep her safe?
No.
It was because he could not follow.