“So you should be with her,” Ellaina states.

“Not necessarily. Not all prophecies have to come true.”

“I believe this one needs to. Without the Key, we could be destroyed.”

“As long as Zuraya and I can work together, the prophecy will come true. We don’t have to be married, or live together.”

“But is that enough Tristan? When we were together, we were close, but I could always tell that something just wasn’t right. I knew then that you were destined for great things. Maybe I just had to leave for you to see the truth.”

Zuraya walks in. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”

“No, Zuraya,” Ellaina says. “It’s fine.”

“Is there something I can help you with Zuraya?” Tristan asks.

“Tristan, what I have to say won’t take long. I know you’re as stubborn as I am but you know the truth. Tris, I love you. I think I always have. I know now that this is probably too little too late. You stood by my side through everything. We are really close now and if you choose Ellaina, I’ll support your decision. But inside, I’ll secretly be hoping that something goes wrong. I guess that maybe I’m hoping that you want to be with me. I’ve said what I came here to say and I’m going to leave now.”

Zuraya turns to leave. “Zuraya, wait,” Ellaina says.

“What?”

“You don’t have to leave. Tristan, we were close once. But that was a long time ago. I think I’ve finally realized what my part in all of this is. I’m just here to make sure you stayed safe. But Zuraya, she’s the one you’re supposed to be with. I know this. Thank you Tristan, for everything.” Ellaina turns and begins to walk to her room. She stops. “I’m going to pack my bags and leave. Maybe I’ll go back to Electira.” Then she walks off.

Tristan turns to Zuraya. “I’m sorry Tristan. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright Zuraya. Maybe it would be best if you went home though.”

“I can’t go home yet.”

“Then go see Graeme or Marec. Just leave here.”

Ellaina goes up to her room and grabs her clothes. She didn’t need Tristan to understand why she was leaving. There were many different reasons. Tristan needed to be with Zuraya, someone who was just as strong as he was. And, he didn’t need to know the other reason. Ellaina knew she had to leave before he began to suspect something, before she began to show too much. When the time was right, Tristan would learn everything. Ellaina turns and leaves the room and walks all the way outside before she looks back. “Goodbye Tristan,” she says.

Why had she left? Tristan didn’t even understand what had been going through Ellaina’s mind. He knew he had made his choice. Tristan knew that he wanted to be with Ellaina, or he thought he knew. Did Ellaina have another reason for leaving? Tristan thought back on the past few days. He and Ellaina had shared many special moments.

Ellaina had made a point earlier. Tristan knew that deep down, no matter how much he cared for Ellaina, that he would always love Zuraya. But now, Tristan didn’t know if he could be with her. She had killed her father.

Then Tristan remembered something Zairian had said. Zairian had said that even when Tristan had been killed, Zuraya had never given up hope. She had waited the longest, always hoping he would wake up. Tristan knew what he had to do. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t figured it out sooner. Now all he had to do was find Zuraya. He reaches out for her. She was in Chafbon.

Zuraya rides up to Graeme’s house and prepares to knock on the door. “Zuraya, wait.” She turns to find Tristan behind her.

“Yes, Tristan.”

“Zuraya, I’m sorry for the way I acted in Cerulean. It’s just, you know how much I care for you, but I just didn’t know if I could live with what you did.”

“It was Cassandra. If it weren’t for her, he would still be here. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, Tristan. What made you come here?”

“I remembered something your father, Zairian said. He told me after I came back that you never gave up on me and I shouldn’t give up either. And now I think it is time to finish what I wanted to do a while ago.”

“Tristan?”

“I had already talked to Zairian about this and I know he would want this. Zuraya, will you marry me?”

“Do you really even need to ask?” Zuraya retorts.

“I love you.”

“I love me too,” Zuraya answers. Tristan playfully hits her and they go into Graeme’s house to celebrate.